Retiring Lake County, ex-Elk Grove cop Ray Rose honored

Labeled by Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran as trusting, loyal, and with "more integrity than anyone I know," Undersheriff Raymond Rose was ushered into retirement with a two-hour celebration at the sheriff's office Friday morning.

Rose, who announced a few weeks ago he would end his 50-year law enforcement career in late April, said his success during the past four years at the sheriff's office was a tribute to the men and women who served under him.

"There's no one person that can stand up here and take credit for everything that has happened at the sheriff's office," Rose said. "There's a whole lot of people who make that happen."

The veteran cop has served as undersheriff since 2013, after he was appointed to the post by Curran. Rose previously spent 20 years as Mundelein's police chief and was with the Franklin Park and Elk Grove Village police departments before that.

Several sheriff's office administrators, officers and employees were joined at the retirement ceremony by police chiefs from departments across Lake County, including Mundelein Police Chief Eric Guenther, Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko, and Fox Lake Police Chief Russell Laine. Several county officials also were on hand.

"I learned so much from you," Guenther said, speaking on behalf of the Lake County Police Chiefs Association. "A lot of us in this room wouldn't be where we are today without him (Rose)."

Rose, 70, of Mundelein, said he wants to spend more time with his wife, Joanne, and their children and grandchildren.