Dedicated. Approachable. Steady. That’s how Rick Ciganek, Chief Deputy at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, describes himself—and after talking with him, you see why those words fit.
With more than 34 years in law enforcement, Rick has built his career around service, integrity, and connection. “I don’t think you can live one way professionally and another way in your personal life,” he says. “Those values carry through everything I do.”
At the heart of his philosophy is a mantra he’s lived by since his early days on the job: “Do what’s right, love what’s good, and walk humbly with your God.” A police chaplain shared those words with him 35 years ago, and they’ve guided him ever since.
Rick’s passion for serving others is what brought him to United Way of Rock River Valley’s board. “United Way brings people and resources together to make an impact for children and families in our community,” he explains. “That’s work I want to be part of.”
One initiative especially close to his heart is United for Literacy. For Rick, it’s not just about teaching kids to read—it’s about shaping their futures. “Learning to read is probably the most important life skill you can have,” he says. “In law enforcement, I see the other side of what happens when people don’t have that skill. Many of the individuals in our jail struggle with reading. If we can help kids learn early, we can help them avoid those outcomes.”
That belief isn’t just professional—it’s personal. Rick credits his mom with teaching him to read at the family table, sounding out words together and instilling the value of education. His favorite childhood book? Where the Wild Things Are. “It inspires imagination, and I think every kid can see themselves in that adventure,” he recalls with a smile.
When asked to sum up United Way in three words, Rick doesn’t hesitate: collaborative, compassionate, impactful. Words that sound a lot like his own approach to life and leadership.
For Rick, serving on the United Way board is about building a stronger, healthier community—one where kids succeed in school, families thrive, and fewer people end up behind bars. “At the Sheriff’s Office, our job is to serve the community. United Way does that too, in its own powerful way. When they succeed, the whole community succeeds.”