Sheriff's Office Newsletter - July 2023 Volume 9, Issue 7
July 2023 Newsletter (Volume 9, Issue 7)
Please click on the title below to view each of the different stories in the newsletter.
The Battle of the Badges is back!
The Battle of the Badges is back and will run through August 31! You can join us for the annual Battle of the Badges blood donation challenge involving first-responder groups in Olmsted County. Show your support by donating for your favorite organization—all are welcome!
Participating teams include:
- Law Enforcement (Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Police Department)
- Fire Department (Byron, Rochester and Stewartville Fire Departments)
- Ambulance Service (Mayo Clinic)
It’s easy to donate! Simply check in at the front desk at one of the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center locations with the desired team name to ensure your blood donation is counted during the competition. The team with the highest number of points brought in wins bragging rights!
You can learn more on the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program website.
Call 507-287-4475 to schedule your donation.
Civil and Warrants Division
Sergeant Mark Chambers
The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Civil and Warrants Division is responsible for the service of civil process, criminal warrants, extraditions, and fugitive investigations. Here are some related statistics from the Civil and Warrants Division:
| 2023 (1/1-6/1/2023) | 2022 (1/1-5/16/2022 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Warrants Entered |
2753 | 1216 |
|
Civil Papers Entered |
3114 | 1204 |
|
Civil Deputy Standbys |
71 | 26 |
|
Fugitives (outgoing): |
24 | 12 |
|
Extraditions (incoming): |
32 | 19 |
An explanation of the terminology used may be helpful to readers. A warrant is a document issued by a Judge authorizing law enforcement to make an arrest of a person, or search a premises, person, vehicle, etc., or carry out other actions related to the judicial process. Civil papers include eviction, foreclosure, subpoenas, civil lawsuits, and family court. An example of a civil standby is when a deputy is requested to standby at a residence to help “keep the peace” while two parties in a divorce move items out of the residence. Extradition (incoming from out of state) this is the process of bringing back a fugitive to Olmsted County to be seen by the court for criminal charges. Fugitives (outgoing to another state) refers to a fugitive being held in Olmsted County for a criminal warrant in another state.
Detention Deputy Tara Carlson has Retired
Chief Deputy James Schueller
Congratulations to Detention Deputy Tara Carlson who announced her retirement from the Adult Detention Center effective June 8, 2023.
Deputy Carlson served the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center (ADC) for almost 24 years. She started with the ADC on September 13,1999 and during her tenure worked as a Booking Deputy, Court Deputy, Transport Deputy, Work Release Deputy, and as an Acting Duty Sergeant. She served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) since 2000. Tara took great pride in her roles no matter what they were and represented Olmsted County and its residents with respect and professionalism.
Thank you for all you’ve done for the Sheriff’s Office and for the citizens of Olmsted County. Enjoy retirement, Tara!
Night to Unite
Night to Unite is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1! Night to Unite (also known as National Night Out across the United States) is a statewide event that builds and fosters community bonds between citizens, businesses, and public safety organizations, such as the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Police Department.
This annual celebration occurs on the first Tuesday in August and gathers neighborhoods and public safety personnel together for an evening to promote safe communities.
Night to Unite's goals are to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
- Generate support and participation in crime prevention and community policing programs.
- Strengthen neighborhood spirits and public safety-community partnerships.
- Let criminals know that you are committed to keeping your neighborhood safe.
- Neighborhoods across the state display outdoor lights and front porch vigils and celebrate with a variety of events and activities, including block parties and cookouts, with visits from sheriff’s offices, police and fire departments, and elected officials.
Members of the Rochester Police Department and the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office would love to stop by! Also, don't forget to apply for neighborhood sponsorships with our Night to Unite partner Custom Alarm.
K9 Update
Captain Ryan Mangan
Deputy Nathan Heeren and his partner K9 Bruno graduated from the St. Paul Police K9 Academy on May 25. In addition to Heeren and Bruno's graduation, Corporal Kevin Schmidt also deserves recognition as he will soon be a USPCA certified K9 trainer after spending the last three months at the academy.
Members of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) K9 Unit took part in the United States Police Canine Association Region 18 certification event in Lake Elmo in June. Each K9 team certified in four different events including evidence search, obedience, suspect search, and criminal apprehension. OCSO teams completing their certification included: Sergeant Adam Waletzki and K9 Cobra, Corporal Kevin Schmidt and K9 Axel, Deputy Kaine Kaase and K9 Athena, and Deputy Aviana Torkelson and K9 Ragnar. Waletzki/K9 Cobra, Schmidt/K9 Axel, and Kaase/K9 Athena had perfect scores in suspect search; Torkelson/K9 Ragnar had the top obedience score within the K9 Unit with 117.5 out of 120. The K9 teams have started preparing for National Certification, which will take place the end of September.
On June 11, Ranger, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, and his handler Corporal Heimer were training for an upcoming K9 Trial. At one point, Ranger did not seem himself and was transported to an animal hospital for a medical emergency. Unfortunately, Ranger succumbed to his illness. Ranger began his service with our office in 2020. He was trained to detect odors of narcotics and in patrol work. During his tenure with us, he served deputies honorably in several patrol-related incidents and made significant contributions to Law Enforcement efforts. We will all miss Ranger.
Torch Run 2023
Law Enforcement from several surrounding agencies and Special Olympics athletes traveled 97.3 miles on June 21st, running and biking their way from the Rochester Government Center to stops in Zumbrota, Lake City, Red Wing and arriving at their final destination in Hastings.
Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms. These platforms include: Plane Pulls, Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, and more.
Thanks to all who volunteered or participated in this year’s event! We couldn’t do it without you!
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
Dates of Interest
July 3
Oronoco Township Meeting
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
July 4
Elmira Township Meeting
High Forest Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
July 5
Salem Township Meeting
July 6
Dover City Council Meeting
July 10
Cascade Township Meeting
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
July 11
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
July 13
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
July 17
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
July 18
Farmington Township Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
July 19
Haverhill Township Meeting
July 24
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Dover Township Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
July 25
Byron City Council Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
July 27
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted County Township Association Meeting