September 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 9)
September 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 9)
Headlines are provided below. Click to read each story in the newsletter.
A Note from Sheriff Torgerson
Another end of Summer. Schools opening, a shift in sports seasons gets everyone excited. SKOL! To view the promise of each season in the eyes of our kids and grandkids makes the change of seasons fill with anticipation. We will continue to ensure our messages of wellbeing and support to our communities continue to make a safer, promising future.
Thanks to all in our communities for the support over the summer months at parades, community events, and certainly topping it off on the Night to Unite. We are already planning for the first Tuesday in August 2026! If you follow us on our social media, you most certainly saw the wide ranging of neighborhoods we were able to connect with all in one night. Everyone wanting the same thing: to continue growing and prospering as we look forward. Even those who struggled in 2025, the feelings of the new season and back to school brings hope for better days ahead.
One last thought, as I was reminded the other day, we are inside four months to the Holiday Season! Enjoy each day, be safe and choose kindness.
SWAT Team
Sergeant Adam Rinn
The Rochester Police-Olmsted County SWAT Team is a multi-agency tactical response team that utilizes personnel, equipment and resources from the Rochester Police Department, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, Rochester Fire Department and Mayo Clinic medical staff. The SWAT Team is part of a joint team with the Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU). The SWAT Team and CNU work together during high risk and dangerous operations that require specialized equipment, personnel, armor or training that exceeds the capabilities of general patrol operations.
The SWAT Team has been operational for over 40 years serving the city of Rochester, Olmsted County and surrounding counties during mutual aid requests. What started out as a handful of operators has grown into a team of approximately 40 personnel. The personnel are comprised of command staff, operators, snipers, medics and tactical dispatchers. The SWAT Team follows and trains to the national standards set by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). The SWAT Team has capabilities to carry out hostage rescue operations, barricade subject operations, high-risk warrant service and apprehension operations, critical infrastructure operations, dignitary protection operations, man tracking operations, active assailant operations and public order operations.
Each year the SWAT Team assists with high-risk search warrant and arrest warrant operations. The SWAT Team is a force multiplier when it comes to these operations. The training, experience, tactics and equipment give us a tactical advantage when serving these warrants, giving us the best chance of a safe resolution for everyone involved. In the last couple of years there have been a couple calls where SWAT operators have been on scene and gun shots were fired by the suspect. In both situations SWAT operators were able to utilize armor and less lethal weapon deployment to apprehend the suspect without causing injuries or death to the suspect or operators. These are just a couple examples highlighting the rigorous training, critical thinking and tactical decision making that our SWAT Team prides itself on.
Night to Unite - Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual Night to Unite Celebration. We enjoyed stopping by 23 parties throughout the County this year and hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did! Thank you to everyone who participated, especially our amazing party hosts and our generous sponsor, Custom Alarm.
See you next year for Night to Unite on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Summer Interns
This summer, the Sheriff’s Office completed two internships with students from the Peace Officer Program at RCTC. During their internships, they spent time working alongside various disciplines with the Office including Training, Patrol, Investigations, Emergency Management, Corrections, Court Security, Civil Process and Warrant Services. Our interns were asked what they gained from the internship with the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office:
Tucker Salley noted that this internship provided a great opportunity for him to witness firsthand what law enforcement is truly like. He was able to see real-world applications of what he had been taught in school. One of his biggest takeaways was that there are many ways to handle a call, and there isn’t one “right” way of policing. This internship greatly increased his understanding of law enforcement and all of its components. He enjoyed shadowing each different specialty within the Sheriff’s Office and seeing behind the scenes. He was surprised to learn how much goes into law enforcement. One of the most beneficial parts of the internship was being able to converse and build relationships with those already in law enforcement. Everyone at Olmsted was willing to answer all his questions and help him in any way he needed. I would highly recommend that anyone interested in law enforcement apply for next year’s internship.
Jennifer Rosas noted that as an intern for the OCSO, she had the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the day-to-day work of law enforcement. She learned a lot observing as an intern, but one of the most impactful lessons was the importance of officer safety. Every action, big or small, is approached with communication, awareness, and preparation within the team. She also had the privilege to observe the trust built within the county deputies that gave them confidence and security in their line of work. Every single person she was paired up with always had something to teach, and she was always eager to learn. This internship was an eye-opening and rewarding experience that gave her a deeper appreciation for the dedication and professionalism here at the Sheriff’s Office. She is excited and beyond grateful for the extension, and she looks forward to applying the lessons she’s learning as she continues her career path in law enforcement.
Monthly Snapshot: SWAT
Sergeant Adam Rinn
The SWAT team stays busy all year long training, executing search warrants and responding to emergency callouts. Every month throughout the year the SWAT team trains for two full days. This ensures operators are building and maintaining the skill sets required to perform at the highest level. In addition to monthly training requirements, the SWAT team trains for 1 week at a location that provides all types of environments that we may encounter during a actual emergency. This year’s numbers through July 2025.
- Monthly training hours completed (January-July): 116 hours
- Operations (January-July): 12
- Search Warrants: 9
- Emergency Callouts: 3
Dates of Interest
September 1
Oronoco Township Meeting
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
September 2
Elmira Township Meeting
High Forest Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
September 3
Salem Township Meeting
September 4
Dover City Council Meeting
September 8
Cascade Township Meeting
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
September 9
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
September 11
Eyota City Council Meeting
LE Memorial Dedication
Rochester Township Meeting
September 15
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
September 16
Farmington Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
September 17
Haverhill Township Meeting
September 22
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
September 23
Stewartville City Council Meeting
Storm Spotter Training
September 25
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted County Township Association Meeting
September 29
Dover Township 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