Sheriff's Office Newsletter - June 2023 Volume 9, Issue 6
June 2023 Newsletter (Volume 9, Issue 6)
Please click on the title below to view each of the different stories in the newsletter.
National Correctional Officers Week
Chief Deputy James Schueller
Since a Presidential Proclamation made it official in 1984, the first week in May has been designated as a time to honor the work and the sacrifices of America’s correctional officers and employees. This week, known as National Correctional Officers Week, was first created by President Ronald Reagan who said “The professionalism, dedication and courage exhibited by these officers throughout the performance of these demanding and often conflicting roles deserves our utmost respect. The important work of correctional officers often does not receive the recognition from the public it deserves.”
That definitely being the case, we officially recognized our own Adult Detention Center (ADC) staff the week of May 7th -13th. This included a proclamation from the County Board as well, officially recognizing all of the amazing work being done. At the start of the week, I sent the following message to ADC staff; ”It takes a true professional to walk through the doors knowing the dangers you will face yet do it anyways. While it may not be as ‘flashy’ or on the front page like law enforcement often is, it is no less important or impressive. It takes a special person to stand tall and strong in a housing unit full of people who are often at the lowest point in their lives. Each lateral assignment has its own challenges and dangers, and you all accept it every time you put on the uniform.” Unless you yourself have done this job, there are no words to accurately describe how difficult - and sometimes also rewarding - it can be. Staff never know which to expect at the start of every shift, but accept the responsibility anyway, day in and day out.
During the week, there was a display on the 1st floor of the main hall of the Government Center to showcase both the history of the job and all that Detention staff do. The Deputy Sheriff’s Association provided a meal for all staff, and the Steering Committee held several fundraising events during the year to be able to buy prizes that were given to staff as part of the celebration. The Command Staff of the Sheriff’s Office could not be prouder of the hard work, professionalism, dedication and compassion of our ADC staff. Please join us in saying THANK YOU for all you do!
Deputy Greg Wood has Retired
Captain Chris Wallace
Deputy Wood aka Woody decided to ride off into the sunset and enjoy retirement. Deputy Wood’s last day of work was May 12th. Deputy Wood began his career here in Olmsted County as a Reserve Deputy in the spring of 1988. In the spring of 1989 Deputy Wood began working part-time for the Grand Meadow and Leroy Police Departments. In July of 1989 Deputy Wood worked as the Chief of Police for the Brownsdale Police Department. In July of 1990 Deputy Wood became a Filmore County Sheriff’s Deputy. On December 18th of 1990 Deputy Wood made his final stop by joining the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. If you do the math that is 35 years of service in Law Enforcement, WOW!!! During his time here at Olmsted County Deputy Wood has served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) and was on the Project Life Saver Team. He has filled many different roles while in Olmsted County: patrol deputy, civil warrants/court security, Byron COPS Deputy and transport/court security. When I first started Deputy Wood was my FTO and I appreciated him sharing his knowledge and experience with me.
“Being in Law Enforcement has been an amazing career, I have had the opportunity to do many different roles in Olmsted County from being a COPS Deputy for the city of Byron to civil warrants deputy to transport deputy. I have had a front-row seat to many awesome events that have taken place in the community and outside of the community such as concerts, presidential visits, motocross races, and a super bowl. I have been a part of the Project Life Saver team and have enjoyed every minute of being a part of that team and being able to see the differences that program makes in the lives of families that have an Autistic loved one. My family has been a great blessing throughout my career, and I look forward to many more joyful years with them. I am looking forward to continuing my career in transports with my clients primarily being my children. Thank you to all my co-workers who have made this such a memorable time I will miss seeing you all every day.
~ Woody”
Enjoy your retirement Woody, you have earned it; think about it, 35 years of service. Thanks, Woody for your time and dedication to this office and Olmsted County.
Police Week 2023 including Memorial Day May 15th
Sheriff Kevin Torgerson
This year the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office participated not only in our region and state but across the country in honoring our fallen deputies, Jack Werner and Mark Anderson but all officers across Minnesota and the United States.
Starting with the Law Enforcement United (LEU) Road to Hope where Deputy Tyler Heiden represented our office in the Law Enforcement United Team Minnesota by riding a bicycle from Chesapeake, Virginia to Washington DC, a total of 250 miles. The first day covering 108 miles along the route as they stopped to honor fallen officers, met kids in a school, and simply rode to honor the fallen and remember the survivors. This year the LEU riders gave $500,000 to three non-profit organizations that support fallen officers and survivors of law enforcement line of duty deaths throughout history. Nice work Deputy Heiden!
On May 15th in St. Paul, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard members assisted in placing a wreath with the Minnesota Law Enforcement (LEMA) Honor Guard with members from our Office Deputy Dean Thompson and Deputy Mike Peterson to honor and remember our fallen: Deputy Jack Werner and Deputy Mark Anderson. Deputies Peterson and Thompson as members of the LEMA Honor Guard assisted in remembering the more than 300 fallen officers throughout Minnesota’s history over a 27 hour period at the memorial in St. Paul beyond the wreath layings for our two deputies. The day culminated with a program on the State Capitol grounds.
On May 18th, the local program honoring 41 officers from the SE Minnesota area were able to avoid mother nature’s challenges at Christ United Methodist Church from the first ever loss of Winona Police Officer Matthew Hamilton in 1874 to the most recent our Detention Deputy Mark Anderson from 2021. Officers from across the region were joined by law enforcement supporters and survivors, families and friends to remember the forty-one fallen but specifically honor Faribault Police Chief David Shipley who lost his life after being shot by a domestic suspect in 1883 and Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Captain who died of a heart attack shortly after getting home from a stress filled day in 2013. Current Chief John Sherwin from Faribault reflected on Chief Shipley while Captain Guenther’s wife Debonie gave heartfelt remarks about losing Loring just ten years ago.
Following the program Honor Guard teams from our Office, Rochester PD, Rochester Federal Medical Center and others participated in opening the gates to the construction site at Soldiers Field Memorial Park to allow all the attendees a first hand look at the progress on the memorial as the forty-one local names had recently been engraved. An emotional, yet satisfying moment for all who were able to be there. The memorial construction will continue through the summer and should be 95% complete next spring. Donations will continue to be sought for this living memorial to maintain and sustain it for decades into the future. Check out the memorial page, learn about the officers and the memorial.
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