May 2024 Newsletter (Volume 10, Issue 5)

May 2024 Newsletter (Volume 10, Issue 5)

Please click on the title below to view each of the different stories in the newsletter.

Milestone Anniversaries

The following staff are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2024 with the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office; thank you all for your dedicated service to Olmsted County!

Chief Deputy Brian Howard to Retire

Sheriff Kevin Torgerson

Chief Deputy Brian Howard has announced the end to his career serving communities in southeast Minnesota.  Chief Deputy Howard began his public safety career with the Fillmore County Jail part-time in February 1989 where he continued working part-time as a dispatcher and deputy until being hired full-time January 1992 until February 1994 (he was also working in Brownsdale full-time from June 1991 – December 1991). Chief Deputy Howard joined the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office on February 9, 1994; he’ll end his distinguished career on May 31, 2024.  Thirty plus years of service!  The bulk of his early years he was teamed up with amazing K9 partners.  His first was Bullet from 1998 to 2006, Matrix from 2006 to 2013, and finally Rocco until he was promoted to Captain in July of 2013.  Brian took his K9 service to new levels becoming a dedicated trainer and working to keep our teams as highly trained as possible to meet certification levels at all trials and competitions, and more importantly, when duty called.

Chief Deputy Howard was not satisfied there.  Prior to coming to Olmsted County he became a DARE Officer with Fillmore County and continued in that capacity with our Office.  In 2004 he took on the added responsibility as the Stewartville COPS Deputy until being appointed to a Sergeant position back in the Patrol

Division in June of 2007.  Keep in mind, he was still a K9 Handler, and now a
trainer at the same time.  In 2013 he volunteered to completely change his view of law enforcement work leaving his new and beloved K9 partner Rocco behind when he was promoted to a Captain position leading the Violent Crime Enforcement Team covering all of SE Minnesota. 

When my first election was successful, I was faced with a lot of decisions and asked
Chief Deputy Howard to move to a place he had been but only for a short time early in his career: back to serve in detention for Olmsted County as the Chief Deputy or Director of Detention Services in charge of the nearly 100 detention center and work release staff.  Serving in detention or corrections is many times a thankless assignment. Chief Deputy Howard took on the challenge serving there from January of 2015 until February of 2023 when he assumed the role as Chief Deputy of Law Enforcement Services for our Office.

When you look back on his storied and honored career one could easily say he served with distinction, purpose, and compassion.  Brian had a talent for building relationships to enhance working partnerships that served the Sheriff’s Office well; he always looked for the right solution to every challenge that would not only solve the current issue but hopefully lead to better service to our communities. 

I can’t thank him enough for the support he has given our office and more
personally, me over the last ten years.  He has been a confidant, trusted ally, and friend.  At his side all these years has been his amazing spouse and two children who, like all law enforcement families have lived through the long hours, celebrated the many successes and promotions, and prayed for safety and understanding. So now we give him back to you as he retires and focuses on other activities and interests.  Thank you, Brian, for your service to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and all those we serve.

Spring Awards Program

On April 4, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office celebrated those that have been newly employed, newly promoted, done exceptional work, saved a life, or made a significant contribution to the Sheriff’s office and/or the community.

Certificates of Appointment

Lindsay Anderson - Detention Deputy - September 11, 2023

Aaron Kuehn - Detention Deputy - September 11, 2023

Mario Muro - Detention Deputy - September 11, 2023

Karalee Senjem - Detention Deputy - September 11, 2023

Bryant Armitage - Detention Deputy - December 4, 2023

Noe Gonzalez - Detention Deputy - December 4, 2023

Tyler Mehrkens - Detention Deputy - December 4, 2023

Steven Spearman - Detention Deputy - December 4, 2023

Hudson Walton - Detention Deputy - December 4, 2023

Julia McCaslin - Transport Coordinator - December 18, 2023

Jesse Drown - Deputy Sheriff - January 16, 2024

Certificates of Promotion

Justin Dombrovski - Corporal - October 9, 2023

Joshua Matti - Corporal - December 8, 2023

Matt Swayze - Corporal - December 11, 2023

Brandon Richardson - Corporal - December 18, 2023

Special Olympics Athletes of the Year

Parker Lichtenwalter

Denise Lujan

Letters of Recognition

Tyler Heiden

Michael Schatz

Life Saving Awards

Reece Ferguson

Austin Klaysmat

Caleb Krause

Corey Leighton

Christopher Streed

Medals of Commendation

Mary Archambault

Jerod Baertsch

Riley Bauman

Justin Carroll

Mark Chambers

Don Cobban

Sean Cooper

Tyler Crabtree

Tom Hallisy

Trevor Hanson

Alexander Hervey

Cody Hyland

Holly Irish

Carolyn Kittleson

Austin Klaysmat

Caleb Krause

James Logan

Shaun McGuire

Matthew Norland

Tyler Pond

Scott Prins

Brendan Rasinski

Shamus Ryan

Matthew Stradtmann

Christopher Streed

Caleb Tesdahl

Steven Thompson

Collin Winters

Tyler Vermeersch

Steven Wiebke

Tom Wright

Memorial Presentation

Adam Waletzki—K9 Cobra

Dates of Interest

May 1

Dover City Council Meeting

May 5

Pleasant Grove Township Meeting

Quincy Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

May 5—11

Correctional Officer Week

May 6

Elmira Township Meeting

High Forest Township Meeting

Oronoco Township Meeting

May 7

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Salem Township Meeting

May 8

Eyota City Council Meeting

Rochester Township Meeting

May 12

Cascade Township Meeting

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Orion Township Meeting

Rock Dell Township Meeting

May 13

Byron City Council Meeting

Marion Township Meeting

New Haven Township Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

May 19

Eyota Township Meeting

Kalmar Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

May 20

Law Enforcement Memorial

Pine Island City Council Meeting

May 21

Farmington Township Meeting

Haverhill Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Oronoco City Council Meeting

May 22

Eyota City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Fire Meeting

Olmsted County Township Assoc Meeting

May 26

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Dover Township Meeting

Viola Township Meeting

May 27

Byron City Council Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

Senior Administration

Sheriff
Kevin Torgerson

Chief Deputy—LEC
Brian Howard

Captains
Jon Jacobson
Kelly Lee
Ryan Mangan
Tim Parkin
Chris Wallace

Executive Assistant
Laura Collins

Chief Deputy—ADC
James Schueller

Captains
David Adams
Samantha Reps
Macey Tesmer