January 2026 Newsletter (Volume 12, Issue 1)

January 2026 Newsletter (Volume 12, Issue 1)

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

Sheriff's Office Logo

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

A big thank you to Beetle’s Bar and Grill for hosting this year’s Tip-A-Cop lunch and dinner event, and to everyone who donated in support of Special Olympics Minnesota and the Rochester Flyers Special Olympics Team. Your generosity truly makes a difference.

Members of the Sheriff's Office and Rochester Police department pose for a photo with special Olympics athletes inside Beetle's Bar and Grill
Members of the Sheriff's Office and Rochester Police department pose for a photo with special Olympics athletes inside Beetle's Bar and Grill

Mark your calendars to join us for the 25th annual Polar Plunge to be held Saturday, February 14, 2026.

You can learn more and sign up on the Polar Plunge website!

Polar Plunge Logo

Community Engagement Deputy

Kyle Bradt, Media Development Specialist

Over the past six months, the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office has introduced a new lateral position, our first-ever Community Engagement Deputy. Former Byron School Resource Deputy, Nate Jacobson, has taken on the new role, which was created to expand on our already robust community engagement efforts throughout Olmsted County. Our office’s community engagement efforts extend far beyond one person and is an office-wide effort, but having one person focus on participating and help organizing those efforts has made a significant difference.

Deputy Jacobson poses with a child at Shop with a Cop in 2025

Since taking on the newly created position, Nate and several others from the Sheriff’s Office have attended around 70 organized community events, in addition to countless informal interactions, which all members of our office do, to simply show up, listen, and continue building relationships throughout the county. 

You may have also seen us at our county-wide Night to Unite celebration, one of the four Safe City Night’s in Rochester, or participating in town festivals and parades. Each of these events allows members of our office the opportunity to connect with those residents, engage with youth through games and activities, and remind them that we are always only one call away. 

Some other valuable engagement opportunities Deputy Jacobson has taken on since beginning his new role include: hanging out at PossAbilities, allowing him to interact with individuals with disabilities, spending time with members of our senior community through a variety of activities and conversations, and regularly visiting with the men at Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge. Each of these reoccurring visits allows our office the chance to build positive, ongoing relationships while lending an ear to different groups of people in Olmsted County. 

Other expanded outreach efforts Deputy Jacobson has taken on during his first six months includes talking with local farmers about road safety, meeting with Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, playing games and visiting with kids at St. Mary’s Hospital in the pediatric unit, and regularly attending a program called Coffee Connections on Fridays. Coffee connections is a blended Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meeting that brings together law enforcement and community corrections. Our office shows up to support and answer questions for those in attendance.  Look for Deputy Jacobson at the newly re-established Coffee with a Deputy on January 6th at Two Sisters in Oronoco from 8-11 a.m.

Deputy Jacobson has also taken an active role in our Crime Prevention efforts, including the Crime-Free Multi-Housing program. Our office enjoys working with residents and property managers to help create safer neighborhoods and communities. 

“Community engagement has been an incredibly rewarding role. I am blessed to continually be a part of the positive role the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office has in this community. It fills my cup every day that we get to make new relationships and continue strengthening positive relationships within the community.” - Deputy Jacobson  

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to continuing to build on our community engagement efforts while expanding on our connections and strengthening trust across Olmsted County. 

Members of the Sheriff's Office pose with a K9 at Night to Unite in 2025
Members of the sheriff's office pose for a photo before the Holiday Lights parade in Rochester in 2025
Members of the sheriff's office pose for a photo at a Safe City Nights event
Members of the sheriff's office pose for a photo before a parade in Byron in 2025

Gifts from Within

Captain Andy Danielson

During the week of Christmas, a group of 12 parents incarcerated in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center (ADC) had the opportunity to send holiday gifts to their children through our 2nd annual “Gifts from Within” program. The gifts were generously donated by Toys for Tots, local businesses, and community members.

Participants were selected based on their involvement in parenting and job skills classes offered at the ADC.  In total, 22 children were able to receive gifts from their incarcerated parent. The atmosphere was filled with positive energy as parents chose gifts, wrote heartfelt notes, and enjoyed festive music.

A special thank you to our partners at Children of Incarcerated Caregivers for their continued support—this program wouldn’t be possible without them.

People wrapping presents for detainees inside the Adult Detention Center
People wrapping presents for detainees inside the Adult Detention Center
People wrapping presents for detainees inside the Adult Detention Center
People wrapping presents for detainees inside the Adult Detention Center
People wrapping presents for detainees inside the Adult Detention Center
People wrapping presents for detainees inside the Adult Detention Center

Monthly Snapshot - Thank You to Our Community Engagement Partners

All of our community engagement efforts would not be possible without the support of our Community Engagement Partners and sponsors! 

Diamond Partner: Custom Alarm  

Platinum Partner: Black Swan Living 

Gold / Parade Candy Partner: Hy-Vee 

Thank you for standing alongside us and making a difference in our community! 

Graphic showing community engagement partners logos. Custom Alarm, Black Swan Living and Hy-Vee. It also features the sheriff's office logo at the top, and Thank you at the bottom.

Dates of Interest

January 1

Dover City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

January 5

Oronoco Township Meeting

Pleasant Grove Township Meeting

Quincy Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

January 6

Elmira Township Meeting

High Forest Township Meeting

January 7

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

Farmington Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Oronoco City Council Meeting

Pine Island City Council Meeting

January 21

Haverhill Township Meeting

January 22

Eyota City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Fire Meeting

Olmsted County Township Association Meeting

January 26

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Dover Township Meeting

Viola Township Meeting

January 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