Rodriguez Retires From The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office

Sylvia Rodriguez

Rodriguez served 22-years in the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.

By H. Nelson Goodson

May 26, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Captain Sylvia Rodriguez, Airport Division officially announced her retirement from the Sheriff's office, according to her husband, Guillermo Rodriguez. Rodriguez had been on medical leave for about a year, but officially retired last February 13.  

Friends and family celebrated her retirement and one year anniversary of her life saving transplant on Sunday. She has survived a liver transplant, Guillermo posted on his Facebook account.

Rodriguez told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that her success was based on strong family values, family support and "hard work, determination and continuously settings goals."

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office website still shows Rodriguez as the current Captain at the Airport Division.

Rodriguez became the first bilingual County Sheriff's deputy to be hired in the department on November 13, 1992.  

The MCSO website says that Rodriguez as a bilingual officer had the opportunity to work in all divisions of the Sheriff's Office and assist other law enforcement agencies in Milwaukee County with Spanish interpretations, criminal investigations, and community events. As a deputy, she was assigned to Detention Bureau's Classification Unit, Patrol Division, Courts Division, and the Community Policing Unit. 

In May 2003, Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. created the Community Policing /Facilitator's Unit to build positive relationships within our community. Captain Rodriguez was the first officer assigned to this specialized unit, and assisted in its development. In February 2005, she was promoted to Sergeant. 

In December 2008, Sheriff Clarke promoted her to the rank of Lieutenant to be the commander of the Quality Assurance Unit. This unit is responsible for evaluating what we, as an agency, do well and how we can do it better. The unit incorporates in-depth analysis of our processes and determines what changes are needed to meet the needs of our customers.

Captain Rodriguez graduated from IBA College of Cosmetology and completed numerous higher education courses at Milwaukee Area Technical College, and the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. She has also completed Supervision of Police Personnel at Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and Leadership in Police Organizations sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the MCSO website states.