Bethke Retires

Captain Mark Bethke is retiring from the North Dakota Highway Patrol after 27 years on the force Bethke joined the patrol in June of 1980 He became the safety and education officer in the Bismarck office in 1995 Bethke was appointed district commander in 2005 Today he recieves the Colonel s Award for Excellence a Meritory of Service Medal and a retired badge Along with other patrol officers family and friends also gathered at the state Capitol to honor Bethke Bethke says he now hopes to spend more time with family and out on his boat CoincidentlyBethke started his career in law enforcement 29 years ago TODAY at the Williams County Sheriff s Department