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October 2024 Newsletter (Volume 10, Issue 10)

October 2024 Newsletter (Volume 10, Issue 10)

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

Sheriff's Office Logo

Note from Sheriff Torgerson

Entering October, there are many things to look forward to in our office. First up is the bi-annual swearing-in and awards program early next month. Our office continues to evolve as new members replace our retirements. It's always hard to replace an incredible amount of experience and knowledge when long-time staff leave us into retirement. Succession planning and training is key to our office being successful and the new folks coming in are all looking forward to quickly filling the voids left behind. Good luck to all our retirees and the newbies. 

I again want to remind everyone the need for safety on our roads as school children are out and about. Homecoming events are wrapping up, and our agricultural community is in full fall harvest. Please be cautious, as always, on our roads when out and about. 

On a side note, the peace officer’s memorial continues to move forward, and the committee is hopeful by the end of October the fencing will come down allowing all our visitors to honor and remember the fallen peace officers throughout Southeast Minnesota. You can watch the progress in pictures on the Memorial Facebook page. Thank you.

OCSO Townships Deputy

Sergeant Adam Waletzki

Since 2007, the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office has had the opportunity to contract with Cascade, Haverhill, and Rochester Townships for extra township patrol. The Townships deputy is very similar to the C.O.P.S. deputy position that the Sheriff’s Office has for the cities of Stewartville, Byron, and Eyota, which add 3 additional deputies beyond the 8 to 12 deputies who normally patrol the county. The Township’s deputy contract adds an additional patrol deputy specifically assigned to the three townships to handle multiple functions, including patrol and acting as the liaison between the Sheriff’s Office and the township boards to keep both aware of each other’s activities. The Township Deputy assignment is typically a four-year term. OCSO would like to recognize one of the deputies as he completes his term.

In 2020, Deputy Dean Thompson was chosen for the Township Deputy position. Before the move, Deputy Thompson held positions in Patrol, Court Room Security, Transport, Law Enforcement Memorial Association Honor Guard, and Forensic Mapping Unit. Deputy Thompson has a demeanor that makes him approachable and easy to talk with. He’s genuine and will give you his full attention. These attributes and his tenure at the Sheriff’s Office made him a great pick for a township position. Deputy Thompson explained the position well by saying, he was a Community Service Deputy during the day, where he was able to meet the residents of the townships and learn their neighborhoods. At night, Deputy Thompson was a Crime Prevention Deputy, providing visible deterrence by driving through the neighborhoods into the early morning hours. Deputy Thompson investigated suspicious behaviors, responded to calls for service, enforced traffic regulations, identified crime sprees, and adjusted his patrol efforts to address and deter criminal behavior. Deputy Thompson said, “I enjoyed getting to know the Township Board members and helping them by answering their questions and concerns. I enjoyed sitting in the meetings and learning about how the government ran at the Township level. I enjoyed driving through the subdivisions, stopping and talking with the residents, and giving the children stickers or whatever other handouts the Sheriff’s Office provided.” Deputy Thompson’s time as Township Deputy ended in August, and I would like to thank him for his dedication and commitment to the position.

Dean Thompson with Chief Deputy Jim Schueller at a Night to Unite event,
Dean Thompson (far left) with Chief Deputy Jim Schueller at a Night to Unite event.

Deputy Corry Retzer was assigned to the Township’s Deputy position in August. Deputy Retzer has held a variety of positions during his tenure at the Sheriff’s Office. These positions include Patrol, Court Security/Weapons Screening, K9 handler, Crisis Negotiation Unit member, Project Life Saver member, and Drug Recognition Expert. Deputy Retzer has a very similar approachable demeanor. He takes pride in giving everyone his full attention, seeks answers, and works to assist situations in any way he can. Deputy Retzer has had the opportunity to train with Deputy Thompson to create an easy transition. I’m confident this transition will be smooth for the townships. Deputy Retzer will do an exceptional job representing Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies Corry Retzer and Reese Ferguson attend a Night to Unite event
Deputy Corry Retzer (far left) and Deputy Reese Ferguson attend a Night to Unite event.

Detention Deputy Dave Shufelt Retires

Dave Shufelt started with the Adult Detention Center in 1992. When Dave started, he worked in the old linear jail located on 1st St. SW. In 1993 the new Direct Supervision jail was opened at its current location and Dave was one of several staff that made the transition and embraced the new jail management philosophy.

Over Dave’s career he took on several roles in different areas. Dave worked in programs providing programming and recreation for the detainees. He was an Acting Duty Sergeant, filling in when the shift Sergeant was gone. On one occasion this was for an extended period. Dave also worked as a Court Deputy the last several years of his career.

In addition to his normal duties Dave took on several roles in the Deputy Sheriff’s Association over the years. Dave thought it was important to be involved and have a voice related to the work conditions for all Sheriff’s Office staff.

We wish Dave well as he starts the next chapter of his life!

Sheriff Torgerson poses for a photo with Dave Shufelt celebrating his retirement

2024 Law Enforcement Minnesota Sheriff's Association (MSA) Scholarship Program

The MSA has established a scholarship fund to award $2,000 scholarships to Minnesota Law Enforcement Students this year. These scholarships are due to the coordinated efforts of the 87 Sheriffs of the State of Minnesota and the MSA's Exhibitor Sustaining Scholarship Members. The Minnesota Sheriffs' Association Scholarship and Awards Committee will award up to 18 scholarships in 2024; the scholarships will be awarded by December 30, 2024.

Please note that applications for Olmsted County residents must be submitted to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office by November 21, 2024. For Olmsted County Residents, mail or drop off your application to:

Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Sheriff Torgerson
101 4th Street SE
Rochester MN 55904-3718

Scholarships are only available to students currently enrolled in one of the following three categories:

1. Mandated POST skills program
2. In the second year of a two-year law enforcement program
3. In the third or fourth year of a four-year college criminal justice course

2024 MSU Scholarship Application

Thank You

Thank you Calvary Baptist Church of Rochester for dropping off treats on
September 24 & 25.

We appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Group from Adult Detention Center poses for a photo with members of the Calvary Baptist Church after they dropped off treats for our staff
Group from Adult Detention Center poses for a photo with members of the Calvary Baptist Church after they dropped off treats for our staff.

Dates of Interest

October 1

High Forest Township Meeting

Elmira Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

October 2

Salem Township Meeting

October 3

Dover City Council Meeting

October 7

Cascade Township Meeting

Oronoco Township Meeting

Pleasant Grove Township Meeting

Quincy Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

October 8

Byron City Council Meeting

Marion Township Meeting

New Haven Township Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

October 10

Eyota City Council Meeting

Rochester Township Meeting

October 14

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Orion Township Meeting

Rock Dell Township Meeting

October 15

Farmington Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Pine Island City Council Meeting

October 16

Haverhill Township Meeting

October 21

Eyota Township Meeting

Kalmar Township Meeting

Oronoco City Council Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

October 22

Stewartville City Council Meeting

October 24

Eyota City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Fire Meeting

Olmsted Co. Township Assoc. Meeting

October 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

This item appears in

  • Sheriff's Office News

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