Central High standout now a La Crosse police officer

Ryan Ledvina was one of three new officers sworn in Monday

One of the newest cops on the beat in La Crosse will be pretty recognizable for many in the city.

Ryan Ledvina was a standout three-sport athlete and a one man highlight reel at La Crosse Central High School just a few years ago.

Since then, he’s graduated with a criminal justice degree from Winona State University, where he went to play college baseball.

And, in just the last week, he got married and was sworn in as a new officer on the La Crosse police department.  

“It’s what I wanted to do ever since high school,” Ledvina said about getting sworn in (and maybe getting married). “Took that goal into college and here I am today.

Ledvina and two others – Sonja Weber and Ryan DeFlorian – were sworn in Monday morning at city hall.

Ledvina’s path became clearer, after daily conversations with the high school’s liaison officer.

“We talked every day, basically, about it and this is what I want to do,” Ledvina said. “I want to help out the community that I’m from and here I am today.

“I know the area. I know a lot of people here. It means that much more to me, that I’m from this area.”

Ledvina also interned at the La Crosse Police Dept. and worked as one of the department’s civilian service employees. 

“Now I get to put my time back into the community and help out those people,” Ledvina said.