Sheriff's Office Newsletter - November 2022
Volume 8, Issue 11
November 2022 Newsletter (Volume 8, Issue 11)
To view each of the different stories in the newsletter, please click on the title below.
A Note from Sheriff Kevin Torgerson
As the seasons change and we move into snow and holiday season, when you’re leaving home to join family and friends for gatherings, please remember to lock up when you leave home, buckle up when you get in your vehicle and keep up on changing weather and road conditions. It’s worth the extra time to arrive safely when you’re traveling.
As we look forward to the holidays and all of our blessings, keep in mind those in the community who may struggle during this time. You’ll see us out and about at Shop with a Cop, Salvation Army Bell Ringing and Toys for Tots to name a few. I encourage you to find ways that you can support those in need as well whether you can donate, volunteer your time or reach out to someone you know who may have a harder time during the holidays. A single act of generosity can be the positive someone desperately needs.
Toward Zero Deaths (TZD)
Captain Chris Wallace
Minnesota TZD is the state’s cornerstone traffic safety program, employing an interdisciplinary approach to reducing traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths on Minnesota roads.
TZD’s mission is to create a culture for which traffic fatalities and serious injuries are no longer acceptable through the integrated application of education, engineering, enforcement, and emergency medical and trauma services. These efforts will be driven by data, best practices, and research.
The 4 E's: The TZD program team has identified four major focus areas for communities working to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities:
Education: Giving drivers the knowledge they need to avoid hazardous driving practices and choose responsible behavior.
Emergency Medical & Trauma Services: Providing fast, efficient emergency medical and trauma services to reduce fatalities and serious injuries whenever a crash does occur.
Enforcement: Ensuring compliance with traffic laws to change driver behavior and reduce unsafe driving practices.
Engineering: Changing the roadway—with cable median barriers, signage, the roadside, and more—to make travel safer. An example of these initiatives would be the cable you see in the middle of most areas of Highway 52.
TZD was launched in 2003 (655 fatalities that year). Goals continued to change as we trended down thru 2019. In 2020 we started trending back up and are reaching the same death rates we saw in 2006/2007. The current goal for TZD is no more than 225 by 2025. All the information above was taken from the Minnesota TZD website. To see or learn more you can visiting the Minnesota TZD website.
Our office continues to support TZD through grants and enforcement waves. Please see our Snapshot on Page 2 for statistics of Olmsted County TZD work.
Sheriff Torgerson Earns Statewide Recognition
Sheriff Torgerson was presented with the MN Toward Zero Deaths Distinguished Public Leadership Award at the statewide conference in October. The award recognizes commitment and leadership to improve traffic safety through community policing and engagement.
Fall Awards Program
This Fall’s awards ceremony was held on October 6th; Sheriff’s Office staff, representatives from the MN State Patrol and Rochester Police Department, as well as several civilians were recognized for their good work. Certificates of appointment and certificates of promotion were also given to new staff and newly promoted staff. Each appointment and promotion publicly took their oath of office and then had a family member pin their badge on them symbolizing that we are all part of the Sheriff’s Office family.
Congratulations and thank you to all of our award winners; your dedication and service to the citizens of Olmsted County and the Sheriff’s Office is greatly appreciated by us all.
Certificates of Appointment
Dylan Bredehoft - Detention Deputy - April 11, 2022
Jessica Luoma - Detention Deputy - April 11, 2022
Scott Reese - Detention Deputy - April 11, 2022
Michael Sundling - Detention Deputy - April 11, 2022
Brent Weber - Training Records Technician - June 21, 2022
Lindsay Alexander - Detention Deputy - July 5, 2022
Cory Holmes - Detention Deputy - July 5, 2022
Brady Musel - Detention Deputy - July 5, 2022
LaQuintin Yancey - Detention Deputy - July 5, 2022
Kyle Cottingham - Deputy Sheriff - July 18, 2022
David Sladek - Regional Training Center Technician - August 29, 2022
Alyssa DeGrand - Sheriff Support Specialist - September 12, 2022
Reed Hansen - Detention Deputy - September 12, 2022
Tyler Heiden - Deputy Sheriff - September 12, 2022
Gabriel Jones - Deputy Sheriff - September 12, 2022
Lavoisier Knight - Detention Deputy - September 12, 2022
Atley Lutzi - Detention Deputy - September 12, 2022
Shelby Nesler - Detention Deputy - September 12, 2022
Dwayne Young - Detention Deputy - September 12, 2022
Certificates of Promotion
Kyle Colwell - Corporal - July 4, 2022
Aaron Budensiek - Sergeant - June 20, 2022
MADD Statewide Media Award
Kyle Bradt
Emergency Manager Certification
Malinda Hanson
Life Saving Awards
Jon Bonde
Joshua Cather
John Davis
Heidi Gutierrez
Amy Jungbauer
Caleb Krause
Josh Matti
Chris Meyers
Austyn Neldner
Carina Olvera
Thomas Pittelkow
Travis Pries
Brandon Richardson
Ellen Roiger
Joe Ruelle
Ashley Ryan
Kevin Schmidt
Tristan Severson
Izzy Vrieze
John Wade
D’Angello Williams
Robert Worlton
Letters of Recognitions
Courtney Amos
Mark Baron
Nathan Condon
Michael Ellsworth
Zachery Fay
Phil Limpert
Josh Matti
Josh Morris
John Schmidt
Jeff Schnier
Alex Sedarski
Cory Sherman
Zach Wagner
DeeDee Weidman
Tanner Weinfurtner
William White
Shane Yohe
Medals of Commendation
Tom Hallisy
Jacob Klein
Kurt Knutsen
Tom Lovett
Rita McCoy
Paul Osowski
Aaron Penning
Adam Rinn
Taylor Schoenfelder
Dan Swanson
Dr. Matt Sztajnkrycer
Jean Valere
Brandon VanderMarliere
Alex Ziemann
Medals of Valor
Jordan Anderson
David Dezell
Tom Hallisy
Mike Strelow
Monthly Snapshot: Toward Zero Deaths
Captain Chris Wallace
| Event Type | Grant Amount | Stops | Hours | Arrests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DWI | 33,250 | 301 | 227.5 | 18 |
| Seat Belts | 14,300 | 316 | 204.5 | 14 |
| Speed | 9,500 | 271 | 157.5 | 6 |
| Move Over | 800 | 56 | 36 | 1 |
| Distracted | 7,800 | 164 | 121.5 | 5 |
| Totals | 65,650 | 1,108 | 747 | 44 |
Dates of Interest
November 1
High Forest Township Meeting
Elmira Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
November 2
Salem Township Meeting
November 3
Dover City Council Meeting
November 7
Cascade Township Meeting
Oronoco Township Meeting
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
November 8
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
November 10
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
November 14
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
November 15
Farmington Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
November 16
Haverhill Township Meeting
November 21
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
November 22
Byron City Council Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
November 24
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted Co. Township Assoc. Meeting
November 28
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Dover Township Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
Senior Administration
Sheriff
Kevin Torgerson
Chief Deputy—LEC
Terry Waletzki
Captains
Mike Bromberg
Jon Jacobson
Tim Parkin
James Schueller
Chris Wallace
Executive Assistant
Laura Collins
Chief Deputy—ADC
Brian Howard
Captains
David Adams
Samantha Reps
Macey Tesmer