Rierson, former sheriff, dies at 86

The Daily Inter Lake

Former Flathead County Sheriff Al Rierson died Tuesday at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was 86.

He began his law-enforcement career in Columbia Falls as a highway patrolman in 1949. After more than 25 years with the patrol, he went to work for the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, where he was employed for eight years and was sheriff in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Rierson inspired several people to consider law enforcement as a career, including Chuck Rhodes of Columbia Falls, who was Rierson's undersheriff and succeeded him as sheriff.

"He taught me quite a few things," Rhodes said.

Kalispell Police Chief Frank Garner was just a high school boy when Rierson "took the time to talk to me" about a career in law enforcement, Garner said.

"He was one of those hallmark personalities," Garner said.

Rierson fit the profile of an Old West sheriff - big in stature and personality. Some of the officers he hired remain at the sheriff's office today, including Sheriff Jim Dupont.

Dupont credits Rierson with improvements to the office such as introducing modern radios and records systems.

"He was fun to work for when I started," Dupont said.

Besides his work with the sheriff's office, Rierson was very active in the community and was a longtime member of the Kalispell Lions Club.

"He served the community and the state in a lot of ways for a long, long time," Garner said.

Until recently, Rierson would call Garner with pieces of advice.

Rierson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline. They have two daughters and a son.

Visitation at Johnson Mortuary will be today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Private family services are planned.