FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 8, 2025

SERGEANT ROBERT J. FLORQUIST II RETIRES AFTER FORTY-TWO DEDICATED YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE GRAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

GRAND COUNTY, CO – Sergeant Robert J. Florquist II, fondly known as “Bob” to many, has announced his retirement after forty-two cumulative years serving at the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. Surrounded by his family and comrades, Bob was recognized and honored for his unwavering dedication and lifetime commitment to public safety in Grand County at a retirement party on October 1, 2025.

Born and raised in the Fraser Valley, Bob attended Fraser Elementary School and graduated from Middle Park High School in 1977. At an early age, he knew that he wanted to work in law enforcement. During his youth, Bob was captivated by television shows like Dragnet and Adam-12. When asked who inspired him to become a police officer, he shared about a Colorado State Patrol Trooper by the name of Walter Whitelaw. Trooper Whitelaw would often stop by his home as he grew up and visit with his family. On numerous occasions he would give Bob a ride home in his patrol vehicle and sometimes even let him play with the lights and sirens. 

During Bob’s high school years, he was fortunate to do many ride alongs with Granby Police Officers and Sheriff’s Office Deputies. He always took pride in dressing similar to the law enforcement officers he was riding with. The excitement and joy he experienced when his dad gave him his first real set of handcuffs in 1975 can be witnessed in Bob retelling the story even to this day. In fact, the handcuffs still have a special place in Bob's home. 

In 1978, Bob began his career at the Grand County Sheriff’s Office as an Animal Control Officer and worked in that position for approximately one year. When life transitions happened, Bob went to work at the Henderson Mill. In 1979, now Retired Sheriff Huck Henderson hired Bob back as a Detentions Deputy where he worked at the Grand County Jail until transferring to the road as a Patrol Deputy in the summer of 1982. In 1983, he attended the Western Slope Training Academy in Eckert, Colorado for three months to obtain his Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certificate. 

It was in his police academy that he was destined to meet his future bride, Cheryl. While it may not have been love at first sight, their friendship grew and Bob eventually helped recruit Cheryl to come up and work at the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. In 1984, Bob and Cheryl were married and have been blessed by one another’s unwavering love, deep friendship and support through both the good and challenging times ever since. 

In 1989, Bob took a leap of faith and followed his aviation dreams to attend Colorado Aero Tech School for two years and earned his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license. After graduation, they moved their family to Washington for a position at Tramco, a major aircraft maintenance and repair company in the aviation industry. Soon realizing his heart was not in the maintenance of commercial aviation, he jumped at the opportunity in the spring of 1992 to return to Grand County and work for a dear friend at Sporting Company Guides Service. Bob oversaw the trail guides, maintenance of snowmobiles, guided snowmobile tours in the winter, and horseback ride tours in the spring out of Beavers Lodge in Winter Park. While working there in January 1993, Bob was involved in a critical head on snowmobile accident that left him with a severe head injury and needing prolonged rehabilitation. With the strong support of his family and loved ones, Bob persevered and regained his strength through this very challenging time. 

A little more than one year later in February 1994, now Retired Sheriff Rod Johnson hired Bob back as a Patrol Deputy. In 2000, Bob was promoted to the position of Administrative Sergeant and oversaw Concealed Handgun Permits, supervised the Communications Dispatch Center, served as the Grand County Search and Rescue Liaison, Firearms Instructor, and even helped initially set up the 800 digital trunking radios. During his career, Bob was also a Level Two Traffic Accident Investigator that required him responding to numerous aviation accidents, train wrecks and motor vehicle accidents. In May of 2017, Bob transitioned to his most recent position at Court Security serving and protecting all who entered the 14th Judicial District’s Court building in Hot Sulphur Springs. 

Bob always had a heart for community policing and found ways to give back including becoming a State Certified Snowmobile Safety Instructor where he taught youth between the ages of 8 – 16 the rules and regulations of riding a snowmobile on public lands. Grand County locals may remember the “Life Without Your Child” program that provided parents the opportunity to have their children’s fingerprints taken for them to keep in the event of an emergency situation. It was in fact Cheryl who thought of the program and Bob was happy giving back to the community as he went into local schools and provided this fingerprinting service. 

The story of Bob’s life and legacy is one of touching the lives of others. Growing up in Grand County, many people that he came into contact with during his law enforcement career were also friends and peers. Through time in a small community, the names and faces he has served in his various positions at the Sheriff’s Office have now become the children and grandchildren of individuals he knows. Throughout his career, Bob has always placed high importance on treating others fairly and not being judgmental. Giving people the benefit of the doubt, and holding himself to a high moral character are principles he holds close to his heart and lives by every day. 

In retirement, Bob plans to spend time on his favorite hobbies including being a Grandpa, fishing, restoring vehicles and participating in vintage snowmobile events. He is looking forward to spending quality time with his family, friends and loved ones. 

###