April 2026 Newsletter (Volume 12, Issue 4)

April 2026 Newsletter (Volume 12, Issue 4)

Headlines are provided below. Click to read each story in the newsletter.

Note from Sheriff Torgerson

Retirements, tis the season! 

Captain Macey Tesmer is retiring from our Detention side of the Office. In her twenty-nine years so much has changed for sure. When she walks out the door a ton of institutional knowledge goes with her. Not only will we miss her forthrightness on many topics,  but we will also certainly miss Macy the person. The human side of our staff and everyone in our public safety professions sometimes gets lost in the rush to judgement and decision making that is in very high demand. Captain Tesmer is unique in her way of being mission-focused and results based, no matter the issue. Kind of a “let’s get this resolved and move on mindset” benefitted her and our office greatly. 

Macey, you have made a difference in Olmsted County and our profession, and we hereby thank you for your service. 

We’re also saying farewell to long-time volunteer Maureen Plitzuweit who generously gave of her time for 24 years. Her presence will be missed as she made a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.

Thank you both for your dedicated service to Olmsted County.

Safe travels, be well.

Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance (SMAP)

Captain Ryan Mangan

Wellness has become a top priority for the Sheriff’s Office. Our approach to wellness is comprehensive, recognizing the importance of both mental and physical well-being. By supporting the overall health of our staff, we aim to foster resilience, job satisfaction, and long-term success.

The ultimate goal of the wellness program is to ensure that Sheriff’s Office employees maintain healthy, sustainable careers that extend into a fulfilling retirement. By investing in the well-being of our personnel, we strengthen their ability to serve the citizens of Olmsted County with professionalism, effectiveness, and dedication.

In the Fall of 2022, the Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Olmsted County wellness program to offer Olmsted Medical Center – Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance (SMAP) services to ADC and LEC employees and their spouses.  SMAP services include Tactical Athletic Performance and Tactical Athletic Training.  Initially, employees and spouses would need to utilize SMAP’s facility in Northwest Rochester.  Last year, the Sheriff’s Office program expanded to offer two fully equipped on-site gym facilities, one at the Regional Public Safety Training Center and one at the ADC Annex building.  With that, we have expanded our SMAP services to now include on-site strength coaches, enhancing our Tactical Athletic Performance, and an athletic trainer on-site to enhance our Tactical Athletic Training services along with the option to attend training sessions at the SMAP location.

SMAP has created a comprehensive tactical training program tailored to the military, law enforcement, EMS, and firefighters. The training is designed to get you to your top performance while preventing work-related injuries. Through the structured program, the coaches of SMAP will conduct individualized movement assessments, upper and lower body strength tests, discuss mobility and functional issues, and more. In addition, they will create a personalized training program you can utilize during group fitness workouts. The tactical training strengthens the areas most needed in our line of work. RPD, RFD and MCAS have used SMAP for years and have had positive outcomes and feedback.

Captain Tesmer to Retire

Captain Andy Danielson

After 29 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Olmsted County, Sheriff’s Office Captain Macey Tesmer will retire effective April 17th. Throughout her distinguished career, Captain Tesmer has been an unwavering leader within the Adult Detention Center, serving in numerous roles since joining the Sheriff’s Office on April 15th, 1997, as a Detention Deputy.

Chief Deputy Jim Schueller recalls attending jail academy in 1999 with Captain Tesmer as one of his instructors. He remembers her as an energetic, engaging, and knowledgeable trainer whose ability to lead and inspire others was immediately evident—qualities that continued to define her service over nearly three decades.

In 1999, Captain Tesmer became a Field Training Officer, where she trained numerous deputies in the principles of direct supervision. During this time, she also served on the accreditation team, playing a central role in ensuring the Adult Detention Center met and often exceeded American Correctional Association standards. Her contributions helped secure ACA accreditation for more than six years, an achievement that reflects the high standards she championed.

Beyond Olmsted County, Captain Tesmer served as a subcontractor instructor with the National Institute of Corrections, traveling the country to train command-level leaders—including sheriffs, jail administrators, and prison wardens—on effective supervision practices. Her expertise and professionalism brought positive national recognition to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2000, she was appointed Training Deputy, where she worked tirelessly to ensure detention staff were well prepared, well trained, and equipped to serve the community. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2002, serving in several key supervisory roles including Shift Supervisor, Programs Sergeant, and Work Release Facility Sergeant. Colleagues remember her as a supervisor who pushed for excellence and was deeply committed to mentoring staff and helping them achieve their career goals.

Captain Tesmer was instrumental in the 2004 revamp of the detainee classification system and program offerings. Believing strongly that the detention center should play a constructive role in the community, she helped develop programming aimed at giving detainees the tools and opportunities needed to prepare for successful reentry.

Promoted to Captain in 2010, she went on to serve 12 years as Operations Captain, two years as Support Services Captain, and three years as Administrative Captain. Her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to staff development helped shape countless careers within the Sheriff’s Office. Many who served under her guidance, myself included, attribute their professional growth to her encouragement, high expectations, and willingness to challenge others to excel.

Captain Tesmer’s proactive leadership and personal drive earned her numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, including multiple Letters of Recognition, the President’s Award, four Medals of Commendation, the Olmsted County Women in Leadership Award, Minnesota Sheriffs Association Programmer of the Year, the Special Olympics Outstanding Service Group Award, and the MN Law Enforcement Torch Run Steve Bikkie Jr. Memorial “Unsung Heroes” Award. She also served on several committees, including the Scholarship Committee, the Country Music Show Committee, and the Activities Committee.

Reaching 29 years of service is a remarkable accomplishment that few in our profession attain. On behalf of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Olmsted County, we extend our sincere gratitude for Captain Tesmer’s exceptional service, leadership, and contributions. Her work has helped elevate our organization and strengthen our reputation across the region, state, and beyond.

Thank you Macey, and congratulations
on your well‑earned retirement!

Volunteer Maureen Plitzuweit

Sergeant Keith Gottschalk

After 24 years of dedicated service as a volunteer in the library, Maureen Plitzuweit’s last day was Tuesday March 24th. Our volunteers are such an important part of our daily operations and Maureen’s calm, kind, and helpful presence made a lasting impact on everyone she encountered over the years. Wishing her the very best; she will be missed. Enjoy this next chapter, Maureen, and we hope it includes plenty of time with a good book!

Monthly Snapshot - Stay Fit. Stay Ready. Stay Safe.

A Deputy’s body is one of their most important pieces of equipment—how they train and care for it directly impacts safety, performance, and longevity on the job.  Long shifts, heavy gear, sudden sprints, defensive tactics, and repetitive strain can take a toll on their body over time.

Tactical Athletic Performance with Olmsted Medical Center - Olmsted Medical Center’s Tactical Athletic Performance Program is built specifically for deputies and first responders. Our performance coaches understand the unique physical demands of the job and have designed a program that builds strength, mobility, and endurance to help deputies perform at their best. Our experienced staff also take individual injury history into account, providing personalized modifications, so the program fits their needs and supports their long‑term health.

“I have been following the SMAP workout program for the past three years and have seen significant improvements in both my strength and mobility since starting. Everyday activities are easier and the program has also enhanced my overall physical readiness for the demands of law enforcement while helping reduce my risk of injury both at home and on the job.

Another major benefit is not having to design or plan my own workouts. The program blocks are thoughtfully built by Miles, whose knowledge and experience ensure the training is well-structured, balanced, and purposeful. This allows me to focus on putting in the work while knowing the programming behind it is sound.”  - Deputy Casey Pahl

Tactical Athletic Training Services with Olmsted Medical Center

While the titles are often used interchangeably, there are major differences between what athletic trainers and athletic performance coaches do. Performance coaches design and execute strength and conditioning programs aimed at helping deputies stay healthy and perform at the highest level. Athletic Trainers are highly qualified, licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating injuries and medical conditions.

Dates of Interest

April 1

Dover City Council Meeting

April 5

Pleasant Grove Township Meeting

Quincy Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

April 6

Elmira Township Meeting

High Forest Township Meeting

Oronoco Township Meeting

April 7

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Salem Township Meeting

April 8

Eyota City Council Meeting

Rochester Township Meeting

April 12

Cascade Township Meeting

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Orion Township Meeting

Rock Dell Township Meeting

April 13

Byron City Council Meeting

Marion Township Meeting

New Haven Township Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

April 19

Eyota Township Meeting

Kalmar Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

April 20

Pine Island City Council Meeting

April 21

Farmington Township Meeting

Haverhill Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Oronoco City Council Meeting

April 22

Eyota City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Fire Meeting

Olmsted County Township Assoc Meeting

April 26

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Dover Township Meeting

Viola Township Meeting

April 27

Stewartville City Council Meeting

Senior Administration

Sheriff

Kevin Torgerson

Director - ADC
Samantha Reps

Captains
David Adams
Andy Danielson
Macey Tesmer

Chief Deputy - LEC
James Schueller

Captains
Jon Jacobson
Kelly Lee
Ryan Mangan
Tim Parkin
Chris Wallace

Executive Assistant
Laura Collins