Folsom's cowboy rides away: Officer Griffin is hanging up his full time reins

Roy Rogers once said he loved his career because he felt he had a "responsibility to the kids, to be somebody they could look up to." Through the airwaves, big screen and television sets, Rogers served his mission as America's lovable cowboy, inspiring others atop his four-legged partner Trigger for decades. When it comes to cowboys and inspirational residents of Folsom, Police Officer Mike Griffin's story could mirror that of Rogers. For years, Griffin has been in the local community, along with his equine partner Rocky, as part of the Folsom Police Department's Mounted Unit. After 31 years of public service, Griffin is hanging up his hat and Rocky is joining him on the happy trail of retirement. The Folsom Police Department has been home to Griffin for the last 21 years, where he has been known to most as 'Griff." While he worked his way through multiple aspects and assignments during those years, the most visible has been his stint with the department's mounted division where he has engaged with the public at numerous events, including parades, the Folsom Pro Rodeo and local school presentations, all while serving full time on the force. After making his ceremonial last call over the radio last week, Griffin climbed on the back of Rocky and rode into retirement from the steps of the Police Department on Natoma Street as his young grandson, Nixon, cheered him alongside his fellow officers. A common practice in mounted service, Griffin purchased Rocky from the department to bring him home. "It's sad to see Mike leave, but he's had a good career and it's his time to start the next chapter of his life," said Folsom Police Chief Rick Hillman, who noted Griffin's strong commitment to the community. "I'm happy he can take Rocky and give him the life he, too, deserves in retirement. The Folsom Police Department wishes Mike and Rocky a very happy retirement." Griffin was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, where he started his career in law enforcement. After 10 years, he made the decision to transfer to Folsom. That decision came after he and his wife, Missy, visited some family members who had moved here in 1991 and decided to make it their home. "My wife and I fell in love with the community and knew it would be a great place to live, raise our family and a great place to work as a police officer," said Griffin. "From day one, I was taken in and treated like I had always belonged. The people at the Folsom Police Department are more than co-workers; they are family and they always will be." Griffin has been an active patrol officer for his entire career in Folsom. During that time, he held many special assignments including that of a K9 officer, Explorer Post Coordinator, Honor Guard member and then a Mounted Patrol Officer. He was instrumental in developing the Honor Guard, first incorporated after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and received numerous citizen commendations, a Unit Citation and a Community Service award during his career. "I will miss being there on a daily basis to see them and be there for them. I held many positions over the years with the Police Department. Each of those positions gave me the opportunity to reach out to citizens and youth of the community in a different way than just your average officer," said Griffin. "To teach them more about the department and show them that their Police Department is there for them and as I have said to many of them over the years, we don't just chase down bad guys." As he spoke about his love for Folsom, Griffin notably mentioned how he is going to miss seeing community members full time. Does this mean that the Folsom community still may see this cowboy's iconic smile waving from atop his trusty companion sometime in the future? The answer is yes. "Although this sounds like goodbye and the end of an era for me with a community and a department that I love, it's not a true goodbye," said Griffin. "I am very proud to have been asked for Rocky and I to stay on, in a limited capacity, with the Folsom Police Department Mounted Unit as a Retired Officer/Citizen Posse member." In the near future, Griffin will assist with training and some deployments in town, such as the parades, Historic District events and others. The special role is something he is honored to have been asked to stay on with the department, representing the city of Folsom and the Folsom Police Department in this capacity. As for Rocky, he has never been one to say a whole lot through the years. However, it is very likely he will still enjoy having the chance to be seen and often petted by members of the community as well as enjoying new digs up the hill as the Griffins head to the country. "My wife and I raised our three children in Folsom and they grew into amazing young adults that we couldn't be more proud of," said Griffin. "I know it also had a lot to do with the community and the people they were around helping to mold and guide them besides the guidance from my wife and we have decided to move on to a quieter life up in the Sierras. I have started preparing a small ranch where Rocky will be retiring with me." As Griffin becomes the Folsom cowboy that rides away from fulltime service, Folsom will always have a special place in his heart. "It was bittersweet to retire. But it was time to go; this is definitely a young men and women's job," he said. "But there are so many things that we will miss about living in Folsom. It truly is an amazing city."