Estill retiring having enjoyed 2 facets of the law system
Through 48 years of serving Holmes County, Roger Estill has enjoyed helping others. Estill retired from his role as Holmes County probation officer on July 5 and will be remembered for serving in several law arenas during his nearly five full decades.
For nearly half a century, Roger Estill has been cemented in the Holmes County community, in the Holmes County sheriff’s office, the Millersburg Police Department and as a member of the Holmes County Probation Office.
Recently, at the weekly board of Holmes County commissioners meeting, the commissioners passed a proclamation honoring Estill for his many years of dedication to serving Holmes County in some crucial capacities.
Having served as both an arresting officer and a probation officer for the court system, Estill has had the unique perspective of seeing the law from both sides of the spectrum, from the arresting aspect to the probate side where he is working to help people find their way back into a healthy part of society.
“Some of these people were people I arrested, and now I know what got them in jail. My role now is helping them work on fixing things to get back to being productive members of society,” Estill said. “I feel like I’ve been able to build a good rapport with many of these people over the years, and I’ve always tried my best to be fair and honest with everyone.”
Estill, who has committed to serving Holmes County for the past 48 years, began his career with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 14, 1976. He served as the chief probation officer for the county from 1984-92, was a deputy dog warden and was on the Millersburg Police Department force. He would return to his chief probation officer roots with the Holmes County Adult Probation System, where he has been for the past years.
The proclamation celebrated Estill for serving his community well in each capacity, where he performed all his duties professionally with care and compassion.
His final day with the county was July 5.
Throughout his career Estill has dedicated himself to serving others.
“I really love this community and have enjoyed helping people over the years,” Estill said. “I think the most satisfying part of my entire career has been what I’m doing now because I have an opportunity to help people.”
Commissioner Dave Hall said Estill’s knowledge, expertise and leadership ability will be greatly missed by all who have had the pleasure of working with him.
“We thank Roger for his years of service,” commissioner Joe Miller said. “It’s always special when someone works that long for the county.”
Hall said he has interacted with Estill many times over the years, and the retiree has always been courteous and professional in every capacity in which he has served.
Estill will now take on a new role, serving on the Wayne-Holmes Mental Health & Recovery Board.
“I’m sure he will be every bit as active in that role,” Hall said. “We thank him for volunteering and for his commitment to the people of Holmes County for these many years.”
Estill, who initially thought he would go into law as an attorney like his father, said he will look forward to traveling to many exotic locals with his wife Denise, a licensed counselor with whom he has gone on numerous cruises over the years.
The couple has enjoyed traveling, and they both are members of the franchise Cruise One, where they are official travel agents and have been for three decades.
Estill said in retirement he has thought about contacting agencies like Royal Caribbean or Carnival to work as an inside sales agent.
“I’m grateful to have had the experiences I’ve had serving this community, and now I’m looking forward to the next phase of life,” Estill said. “I’ve gotten to work with some wonderful people over the years.”
Having seen both sides of the law, Estill’s journey has been one few people get to experience, and in doing so, he leaves a remarkable career behind as he takes on the retirement phase of life.