Van Renterghem Honored To Lead Parade On Last Night At PD

Russ Van Renterghem holds his grandson before the lighted Christmas parade.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – As the holiday lighting display was about to be turned on officially for the first time of the year, one Oskaloosa Police lieutenant was sitting in his squad car, remembering the past 28 years of the parade.

Russ Van Renterghem was ending his career with the Oskaloosa Police Department with a special assignment; he was the lead vehicle for the parade this year.

Van Renterghem has spent the previous years working a corner of the parade, helping visitors to town find their way, and reminding the excited youth to step back to help make room for the floats.

When it came time, and the engine fired up on his squad car. Van Renterghem said he’d never had a desire to lead the parade, but found it an honor that he was assigned to do so this year.

“I’ve enjoyed working every single one of them,” said Van Renterghem. “It will be the last time I put this uniform on.”

“It’s kind of bitter-sweet”, added Van Renterghem, who will take the reins of the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office in January as the new sheriff. “After 30 years, it’s going to be tough not wearing this uniform anymore.”

Van Renterghem puts the squad car in the lead position, ready for the parade. Just outside the window of the car stands his wife, and the rest of his family.

The lights came on the buildings in downtown, and the word was passed along to start the parade. Van Renterghem moved the gear selector into drive, and with that, his final drive as an Oskaloosa Police Officer.

Van Renterghem will be sworn in as the Mahaska County Sheriff on January 3rd, 2017 at 9am.