After 33 years with the Yuba County Probation Department — 20 as chief — Steve Roper retired Friday to focus on hobbies and volunteering.

Roper, 56, a Bay Area native, said he relocated to the Yuba-Sutter area when he was young after his cousin took guardianship of him.

It was a move, he said, that set him on the path of helping others in the justice field rather than needing a probation officer himself.

"It's been a wild ride, but I enjoyed every single minute of it," he said of the job.

Deputy Probation Officer Dale Quinn will take Roper's post.

Supervisor Dan Logue said Quinn will have some big shoes to fill.

"As a department head, you've done a tremendous job," Logue said during Roper's final Board of Supervisors meeting. "Thank you for your work."

Throughout his career as a probation officer, with an emphasis in juvenile law, Roper said he's learned a lot about himself and the people he's worked with.

He said he is most proud of the way his department and its employees connect with one another.

"We know public safety is the most important," he said. "But the institutional values and beliefs that people can change by holding them accountable is incredible to see. And we do hold them accountable."

Juvenile Hall Superintendent Frank Sorgea said Roper was a value to the county and to the Probation Department.

Sorgea said Roper's determination was responsible for the introduction of PASS — Probation and School Success program — that places probation officers in schools to offer early intervention and nontraditional probation services.

"It's better to build a child than repair an adult," Sorgea said of the program's intent.

The two worked together for 32 years, Sorgea said.

Christine Odom, Sutter County's chief probation officer, said Roper was also instrumental in developing the Maxine Singer Youth Guidance Center.

"He has inspired me and many other chief probation officers to not only develop programs that will improve the lives of others, but first and foremost to carry out our duties with both integrity and compassion," Odom said.

Roper listed both programs as accomplishments in his career.

As far as personal success, he recalled a juvenile early in his career that not only he inspired to be a better person, but who also inspired him.

Roper said this young man was being sent to the California Youth Authority. He said before being sent to the state, the juvenile got one last visit with loved ones. This man went into a room with his mother and girlfriend, Roper said, and came out 30 minutes later in tears.

Roper said the juvenile had told him that a window in the room was open and he wanted to run because he was scared. The youth said he could not do that to Roper because Roper was the only person who trusted the juvenile.

Roper, though, said he did not trust the juvenile. He made a rookie mistake by leaving him in a room unsupervised.

"This man taught me that you have an opportunity to change someone's life even when you make a mistake," he said.

Roper said this man is now a productive member of society.

After 33 years, Roper said he will miss the Probation Department but is looking forward to spending more time with his family and devoting more time to hobbies such as gardening.

"I'll miss it with all my heart and soul, but it's time." Roper said.

Though he's gotten praise from colleagues and elected officials, the humble chief probation officer said he doesn't want to admit the county had something great.

"The minute you admit what you are doing is remarkable, you lower the standard," he said, "and I can't accept anything less."

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com