Los Alamos Police Department Sgt. Ryan Wolking poses with his wife, Emily, and their children, from left, Charlie, Juliette and James Friday following his swearing in ceremony at Los Alamos Magistrate Court. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Police Department’s newest sergeant, Sgt. Ryan Wolking, center, is joined by, from left, Deputy Chief Jason Wardlow Herrera, Cmdr. Preston Ballew, Chief Dino Sgambellone, and Cmdr. Oliver Morris Friday at his swearing in ceremony. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Emily Wolking, accompanied by, from left, Charlie, Juliette and James Wolking at Friday’s swearing in ceremony for Sgt. Ryan Wolking. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat Casados administers the oath of office to Sgt. Ryan Wolking Friday afternoon in Los Alamos Magistrate Court. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Police Department Cmdr. Oliver Morris, left, and Chief Dino Sgambellone chat with Charlie, Juliette and James Wolking in the Los Alamos Magistrate Court Friday afternoon. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Magistrate Court Judge Pat Casados shows her gavels which are made from bristlecone pine to, from left, Juliette, Charlie and James Wolking after a swearing in ceremony for their father Sgt. Ryan Wolking Friday afternoon. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Police Department Sgt. Ryan Wolking is leaving the LAPD Investigations Division where he has been a detective since 2016 and heading back out on patrol. He was joined by command staff, colleagues, friends and family Friday afternoon as he was sworn in by Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat Casados.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Wolking grew up in Northern Kentucky. He graduated from Patrick Henry College in Virginia where he met his wife, Emily Thomsen Wolking, who is a Los Alamos native. He graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Government : International Politics and Policy.
Immediately after college, Wolking joined the Kentucky State Police where he served for four years before relocating to Los Alamos and joining LAPD as a corporal.
LAPD Dino Sgambellone congratulated Wolking Friday.
“We are excited about Ryan’s promotion to sergeant given his law enforcement experience and work ethic. He undoubtedly will contribute to the success of the department from day one,” he said.
In 2017, Wolking received an award from the Los Alamos Public Safety Association in recognition of his execution of Operation Spring Cleaning, a successful drug sting that followed months of investigation by Wolking. During that operation, he organized 45 law enforcement officers from LAPD, the Drug Enforcement Agency and New Mexico State Police who met early on the morning and conducted six residential warrants and one vehicle search warrant resulting in the arrests of seven alleged local drug dealers. He also arranged to have a NMSP tactical operations helicopter in the air to ensure responding officers, suspects, and Los Alamos citizens were safe during the raids and there were no injuries during the operation, which yielded a total of 55 felonies and 21 misdemeanors.
In 2018, Wolking was honored by LAPD as Detective of the Year.
When he’s not working, enjoys spending time with his wife, Emily, and three children, James, Charlie and Juliette. He also coaches tee-ball and is a volunteer for the newly-established Trail Life Troop.