January 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 1)
January 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11 Issue 1)
Headlines are provided below. Click to read each story in the newsletter.
A Note from Sheriff Torgerson
Another new year is upon us. The year that was brought challenges but many blessings as well. On behalf of our Office, I'm thankful for the many engagement opportunities we shared with you. I know we will continue to strive for safety in all facets of our county, region, and state.
Skol (cheers) to you and your loved ones for a healthy, safe, and prosperous new year.
International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference
Captain Macey Tesmer
The Law Enforcement Torch Run(LETR) was started in 1981 in Kansas. It was a way for Law Enforcement Officers to participate in community engagement with Special Olympics athletes in their community. Over the years the LETR movement has grown to an international level and is the largest fund-raising entity for Special Olympics worldwide. The LETR movement not only conducts torch runs to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics, but it also puts on other fundraising events. Polar Plunges, Tip a Cop, and Cop on Top are three of the most popular fundraising events sponsored by LETR.
Every year, there is an International Law Enforcement Torch Run conference. One reason for the conference is to encourage and recruit more members of Law Enforcement to become involved with LETR and Special Olympics. The other reason is to celebrate individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond raising awareness and supporting Special Olympics.
The LETR conference was held in San Antonio, Texas, in November. Sheriff Torgerson, Captain Tim Parkin and Captain Macey Tesmer attended and participated in the conference activities. They also spent time with several other members discussing plans for the 2025 International Conference that will be held right here in Minneapolis, MN. The conference has not been in Minnesota for 20 years and Special Olympics MN is very excited to be hosting again.
The 2025 conference is October 16-18, 2025. Mark your calendars if you might be interested in volunteering for this amazing event
Detention Deputy Will White Retires
Captain Macey Tesmer
Will White started in the ADC on February 5, 2007. Will worked in the housing units as a Detention Deputy for several years. He also worked in two lateral assignments. The first was working at the Work Release Facility, supervising detainees on work release or sentence to service. The second lateral is the one he is retiring from. For the last five-plus years, Will has been working as a Program Deputy assisting detainees with finding resources they need when they get released, setting up treatment and providing recreation for them.
Impacting Children of Incarcerated Parents
Captain Macey Tesmer
The ADC partnered with Olmsted County Child and Family Services and Olmsted County Public Health to spread a little holiday cheer to children impacted by having a parent in custody in the ADC. On Friday, December 20, 2024, donated Christmas gifts were brought to the ADC. A select group of detainees were able to choose a gift to send to their child or children who are under the age of 18. The detainees that participated are detainees who volunteered to participate in “Parenting Inside Out,” a parenting class specifically for those who are in custody. Other detainees who participated in a manufacturing class and received certificates that could be applied to employment when they were released were also offered the opportunity to participate.
Several public health staff came in to assist the detainees in choosing the gifts and getting them wrapped in gift bags. The gifts will then be delivered to the children by a local church before Christmas. This is just one way different Olmsted County entities are partnering to have a positive impact on children of incarcerated parents in our community.
Shop with a Cop and Toys for Tots
Thank you to our staff, our community partners and all who donated to Toys for Tots and Shop with a Cop this year. These programs allow us the opportunity to give to those who truly need and deserve our help during the holiday season.
Monthly snapshot: Adult Detention Center Programs
Captain Macey Tesmer
- Manufacturing Program Graduates
- 2022 - 15
- 2023 - 16
- 2024 - 14
- Parenting Inside Out Graduates
- 2022 - 4
- 2023 - 8
- 2024 - 6
Dates of interest
January 1
Dover City Council Meeting
January 5
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
January 6
Elmira Township Meeting
High Forest Township Meeting
Oronoco Township Meeting
January 7
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Salem Township Meeting
January 8
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
January 12
Cascade Township Meeting
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
January 13
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
January 19
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
January 20
Pine Island City Council Meeting
January 21
Farmington Township Meeting
Haverhill Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
January 22
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted County Township Assoc Meeting
January 26
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Dover Township Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
January 27
Stewartville City Council Meeting
Senior Administration
Sheriff
Kevin Torgerson
Chief Deputy - LEC
James Schueller
Captains
Jon Jacobson
Kelly Lee
Ryan Mangan
Tim Parkin
Chris Wallace
Executive Assistant
Laura Collins
Director - ADC
Samantha Reps
Captains
David Adams
Andy Danielson
Macey Tesmer