Zylawy retires after 27 years as a Montana Highway Patrolman

On Dec. 23 Mineral County Commissioner Roman Zylawy was sworn in by Commissioner Duane Simons. With his characteristic cowboy hat and vest, the mustached, 52-year old raised his right hand and took an oath to uphold the laws and rules of the office he was about to hold for the second time.

Zylawy was elected to another six-year term, after running against Mike Curtin in Nov. 8 elections. For six years, the Alberton native has sipped coffee and listened as residents have brought concerns, issues and opinions to the commission. A job he has taken seriously, and one that he hopes to use to improve the economic hardships that have faced the county over the past several years.

As this chapter in his career begins, another one is coming to a close. After serving 27 years, he decided to retired as a Montana Highway Patrolman. On Dec. 30, his wife Terry and mother, Martha Lauterbach accompanied Zylawy to Helena where he turned in his badge, patrol car, and guns.

In exchange, he received a plaque presented by Lieutenant Colonial Jason Hildenstab, and Major Shane Grimes, as well as gifts and cards from his co-workers in Helena, along with a gold-plated Sergeant’s badge. Fellow patrolman also donated funds to help him buy his guns back, which included his pistol and an M4 rifle. He also received the Montana, Highway Patrol, and American flags which were flying outside the building when he arrived, something that is rarely bestowed on an individual.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said over the weekend. “Right now I feel like I’m just on a holiday break.”

He said in a couple of weeks it will probably start to feel more like retirement, when he doesn’t have to get up to go to work, or get called out in the middle of the night.

His decision to retire partially stemmed from his re-election bid. Zylawy wanted to put more time into his position as commissioner, rather than trying to work full-time and help run the county.

“It’s a part-time job with Mineral County,” he said during an interview with the Missoulian. “But if the people voted me back in I thought I owed it to them to be there more and have all the time in the world to dedicate to that.”

He will be spending more time at the court house in Superior. Whether it’s to help mail letters, file or do whatever else needs to be done. Zylawy will also continue to work with the Montana Association of Counties, or MACo, to help facilitate the needs of the county.

In particular, he wants to work with the Montana Forest Counties on legislative issues facing the timber industry. He said he would be traveling to Helena and monitor bills and laws that affect the counties. He also will lobby issues that are key for economic growth in Mineral County. These efforts could also extend to Washington D.C., if the opportunity arises.

“The National Association of Counties, or NACo, lobbies on behalf of the forested counties in the west,” he said. “It’s important that our voice continues to be heard loud and clear on issues like PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) and other timber related issues. Because legislators east of the Mississippi don’t have the same issues we face in the west. They don’t always understand the impact these programs have on counties like ours.”

In addition to commissioner duties, Zylawy plans on travelling to the Hi-Line to visit his daughter, Amber Erickson, and her family in Saco which is near Malta. As well as visit his son Wyatt, who is currently in Ketchikan, Alaska. His other two twin boys, Kenley and Roman, are in Alaska and Virginia. All three are serving in the U.S. Coast Guard.

A private party was held at River Edge in Alberton on Dec. 26 for Roman, where he was surrounded by family and friends from Missoula, and the area. He will also have a formal retirement ceremony on Jan. 20 in St. Regis.

Outside of travel, he said he would be chopping wood for himself and his wife, as well as for his mom, who lives 300 yards away. He will also be doing badly needed chores around the house which is located near Alberton. The winter months will give him plenty of time to sip coffee next to the stove, and reflect back on a lifetime of memories serving the residents of Mineral County.