New CHP Commander Named For Santa Rosa Area

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — California Highway Patrol's Santa Rosa Area office is welcoming a new commander. CHP Capt. Aristotle Wolfe has just transferred from the San Francisco CHP Area, replacing retired Santa Rosa Area CHP Capt. Michael Palacio, the agency said in a news release Monday.

Wolfe, a 23-year veteran of the state law enforcement agency, is a California native who has lived in Sonoma County for 20 years. In addition to San Francisco, he has worked in the Oakland, Santa Rosa, Hayward and Marin CHP areas.

The commander spent the majority of his time working on inter-agency task forces made up of local, state and federal partners — including the Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force — and said he is looking forward to "working with allied agencies, community groups and his dedicated CHP staff in order to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to citizens he serves."

Wolfe earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and criminal justice from San Francisco State University, as well a master’s degree in homeland security studies through the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.

The captain's wife of 22 years, Rayne Wolfe, is an author who formerly worked as a reporter for The Press Democrat.

"Mrs. Wolfe is nearly as excited about the new assignment as the captain, as they both feel it is more than a transfer; it is a homecoming," said CHP Santa Rosa Area Spokesman David deRutte.

The Santa Rosa Area office of the CHP, located at 6100 LaBath Ave. in Rohnert Park, is home base for CHP operations across the majority of Sonoma County — with the exception of Sonoma Valley east of Trinity Road, which is serviced by the Napa Area office.

Photo courtesy California Highway Patrol