July 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 7)
July 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 7)
Headlines are provided below. Click to read each story in the newsletter.
2025 Torch Run
On June 18th members of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, City of Rochester, MN Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Hastings Police Department, and Rochester Flyers kicked off the Special Olympics Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run leg that began in Rochester and ended in Hastings.
Some made the entire trip via bike, while others will join in during parts of the journey.
A big thank you to all who participated and helped.
House of Shields
Captain Ryan Mangan
The Rochester House of Shields (HOS), based in Rochester, Minn, is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that was founded in 2008 by Rochester Police Department Officer Don Bray (Ret.). The House of Shields provides free lodging for law enforcement officers, active or retired, and members of their immediate family that are seeking medical care at the Mayo Clinic. The House of Shields is operated by a board of volunteers made up of local law enforcement officers serving both the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Police Department, dispatchers and dedicated civilians. The organization is funded by donations. Donations are used to pay for the daily operations of the apartments to include monthly rent, utilities and cleaning costs. We currently have two fully furnished apartments with in-unit laundry.
The apartment building is in downtown Rochester and is located only 4 blocks from the Mayo Clinic campus. An adjacent hotel, Centerstone Plaza – Solders Field, has partnered with the House of Shields to provide parking, shuttle services for our guests, and a House of Shields room rate for guests when our units are occupied.
Upon arrival, an on-duty law enforcement officer will greet the guest at the apartment complex and will provide access to an apartment and give you a brief orientation of the property and other services. During the stay, the tenant can contact the House of Shields phone number with any questions or recommendations.
As mentioned, the House of Shields is funded by donations and 100% of donations go towards helping law enforcement officers in their time of need. We have held annual fundraising events, most recently a golf tournament. The 2nd annual golf tournament is July 12, 2025 at the Stewartville Golf Club with dinner following at Adamson’s Tavern on the Greens. Limited spots remain if you’re interested.
The silent auction for the event will open early July.
If you, or anyone you know, are looking for a way to support law enforcement officers and the Rochester House of Shields, we always welcome more volunteers with innovative ideas. We meet monthly on the last Tuesday of each month at the Rochester Eagles Club, 917 15th Avenue SE in Rochester. You can simply show up to a meeting or reach out to the House of Shields via our website, email, or social media platforms listed below.
Check out our website for more information or to donate.
OCSO K9s at National and Regional Trials
Congratulations to Deputy Erik Ickler and K9 Huey who participated in United States Police Canine Association National Detector Trials in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a team, they finished 7th overall and 4th in Indoor Search.
Congratulations as well to our county K9 Team who took 2nd place overall at Regional Trials held Monday and Tuesday recently in St. Paul. Many hours of training goes into making this happen.
Special shout out to Corporal Schmidt and K9 Axel who scored 5th overall (out of approximately 65 dogs) and Deputy Nate Heeren and K9 Bruno who scored 2nd overall in bite work!
Members of the team are:
- Corporal Kevin Schmidt and K9 Axel
- Deputy Kaine Kaase and K9 Athena
- Deputy Nate Heeren and K9 Bruno
- Deputy Aviana Torkelson and K9 Ragnar
- Deputy Nick Heimer and K9 Zeus
- Deputy Erik Ickler and K9 Huey
- Deputy Alex Sedarski and K9 Hutch
Excellent work everyone!
Summer Festivals in Full Swing
We recently had the fun of joining in at the Viola Gopher Count Parade and Rochesterfest.
You’ll see us soon at several other Olmsted County events including:
- Stewartville Summerfest on July 3 ~ 4
- Eyota Days July 14 ~ 20
- Byron Good Neighbor Days July 16 ~ 20
- Olmsted County Fair July 21 ~ 27
- Oronoco Gold Rush August 16 ~ 18
We hope to see you there!
Learn more upcoming festivals in the area!
Dates of interest
July 1
High Forest Township Meeting
Elmira Township Meeting
July 2
Salem Township Meeting
July 3
Dover City Council Meeting
July 7
Cascade Township Meeting
Oronoco Township Meeting
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
July 8
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
July 10
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
July 14
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
July 15
Farmington Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
July 16
Haverhill Township Meeting
July 21
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
July 22
Stewartville City Council Meeting
July 24
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted Co. Township Assoc. Meeting
July 28
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Dover Township Meeting
Viola Township 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