July 2026 Newsletter (Volume 12, Issue 7)

July 2026 Newsletter (Volume 12, Issue 7)

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

Sheriff's Office Logo

Note from Sheriff Torgerson

Thank you, Investigator Olson.  Your service as a public servant to Olmsted County has been exemplary. Lt. Hanson said it well, your sense of humor, dry as it is, compassion, and fun presence will be sorely missed within OCSO. Enjoy your retirement. 

I feel I must also address the crashes and fatalities our communities have been faced with this year. Ten crashes in the first six months of this year resulted in families torn apart by tragic losses.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones left behind. So much of our crashes can be prevented by our decision making and concern for others on the road. I see it too, aggressive (speeding and tailgating), and inattentive (distracted and impaired) drivers are seemingly rising in frequency. As you can see from the graphic on page two the numbers have increased in the last three years to include this year’s number of fatalities are greater than the three previous years.

Please be safe out there, rest assured we will be there alongside you.

Retirement announcement for Investigator Tom Olson

Lieutenant Malinda Hanson

Investigator Tom Olson, better known as T.O., began his career with the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) on July 7, 2008, being sworn in by then Sheriff Steve VonWald. Prior to working in law enforcement, Investigator Olson was a paramedic for Gold Cross Ambulance Service (now known as Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service). During his time as a paramedic, Tom was also a volunteer paramedic for the joint OCSO/Rochester Police Department Emergency Response Unit (ERU). As a paramedic, Tom worked with now Captain Ryan Mangan. When Captain Mangan finished his degree and went into law enforcement, Tom was inspired to enroll in college and pursue his degree in law enforcement as well. He figured, if Mangan could do it, he could too. Tom finished SKILLS in June 2007 and was hired shortly after.

Tom Olson head shot wearing a suit and standing in front of a stone building.

During his time with the Sheriff’s Office Tom has had the opportunity to serve in many capacities. He was assigned to the patrol division for six years, transport division for four years, was the Byron School Resource Deputy for four years and is finishing his career in the investigations division. Tom also served several specialty assignments. Tom has been a Crisis Intervention Team coach since 2009, was an ERU sniper from 2009-2014, Project Lifesaver team from 2012-2022 and has been a member of the Peer Support Team since 2017. Tom has been a trusted source of support for members of the Sheriff’s Office and other first responders in the area while serving in this office. 

Tom says he has had the opportunity to work on some difficult cases, but it has been an honor to support victims. Tom has always been known for his compassion and treating all people with dignity and respect. After a particularly difficult death investigation, Tom took it upon himself to have the victim’s jewelry professionally cleaned so that when it was returned to her family it was in great condition for them to remember her by.

Deputy Tom Olson being sworn into the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office.

Tom says he will miss being a small part of something bigger than himself. He will miss being a part of the changes and challenges that public safety professionals face. Tom’s message to his co-workers is that he wishes for them to have long, healthy careers, but most importantly long, healthy and happy family lives. Tom says that at the end of the day, law enforcement is a job, a means to an end. He says to treat everyone you encounter with humanity and dignity, never take any part of the job personal, it is not – it’s just a job. Tom says it has been a privilege and honor to serve the citizens of Olmsted County and the State of Minnesota. 

Tom’s sense of humor, compassion and fun presence will be missed at the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. Tom plans to do some pheasant guiding and fishing in South Dakota, but he is mostly looking forward to spending time with his family. Thank you for your service, Investigator Olson!

OCSO K9s at Regional Trials

Congratulations to all of our K9 teams who certified at the 2026 United States Police Canine

Association (USPCA) Region 18 K9 Trials in June, while hosting the event in Olmsted County.

This year’s teams participating in regionals (left to right):

Sheriff's Office K9 team with dogs stand in front of a pond.
  1. Corporal Schmidt and K9 Axel—Certified and 2nd Place in Apprehension 
  2. Deputy Heimer and K9 Zeus—Certified
  3. Deputy Torkelson and K9 Ragnar— Certified
  4. Deputy Heeren and K9 Bruno—Certified and 4th Place Overall
  5. Deputy Sedarski and K9 Hutch—Certified and 2nd Place in Evidence Search

We're incredibly proud of the dedication, skill, and service these teams bring to our community every day. 

Flame of Hope passed through Rochester

 It was a special day on June 18 as the Flame of Hope passed through Rochester during the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics journey to the University of Minnesota for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games!

It was an inspirational and amazing opportunity for all who attended.

Sheriff Torgerson stands with others for a group photo at the Flame of Hope ceremony in Rochester, Minnesota.

Monthly Snapshot: Heartbreaking Trend—Crashes Resulting in Fatalities in Olmsted County

Heartbreakingly, 2026 has brought a sharp rise in fatal crashes in Olmsted County, with ten lives lost in just the first half of the year. Please help keep our roads safer by slowing down, staying focused, buckling up, and never driving impaired. Every safe choice makes a difference.

  • 2026— 10 (January - June)
  • 2025— 9
  • 2024— 11
  • 2023— 6
  • 2022— 7
  • 2021— 6
  • 2020— 13
  • 2019— 14
  • 2018— 7
  • 2017— 7
  • 2016— 13
Traffic Sign on Minnesota road that reads: Summer is head. Don't race the sun. Drive safe speeds.

Dates of Interest

July 2

Dover City Council Meeting

Quincy Township Meeting

 

July 6

Pleasant Grove Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

 

July 7

Elmira Township Meeting

High Forest Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

 

July 8

Eyota Township Meeting

 

July 9

Eyota City Council Meeting

Rochester Township Meeting

 

July 13

Oronoco Township Meeting

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Cascade Township Meeting

Orion Township Meeting

Rock Dell Township Meeting

 

July 14

Byron City Council Meeting

Marion Township Meeting

New Haven Township Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

Rochester Safe City Nights (Jefferson)

 

July 15

Haverhill Township Meeting

Salem Township Meeting

Olmsted County Township Association Meeting

 

July 20

Kalmar Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

 

July 21

Farmington Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Oronoco City Council Meeting

Pine Island City Council Meeting

 

July 23

Eyota City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Township

Association Meeting

 

July 27

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Dover Township Meeting

Viola Township Meeting

Olmsted County Fair: July 27– August 2

 

July 28

Stewartville City Council Meeting

Rochester Safe City Nights (Bishop)

July 30

Eyota City Council Meeting

 

Senior Administration

Sheriff

Kevin Torgerson

Chief Deputy - LEC

James Schueller 

Captains

Jon Jacobson

Kelly Lee

Ryan Mangan

Tim Parkin

Chris Wallace

Director - ADC

Samantha Reps

Captains

David Adams

Andy Danielson

Luke Wrubel