June 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 6)
June 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 6)
Headlines are provided below. Click to read each story in the newsletter.
A Note from Sheriff Torgerson
As spring turns to summer, we see more people traveling on our roads. Recently we conducted a seatbelt observation effort, and the rest of the summer will focus on speed and DWI enforcement. Please buckle up as you travel, don’t drive distracted, follow the speed limits, and always drive sober or ride with a sober driver. We all depend on each other to get to our destinations safely. Have a great summer!
Over my career that has covered several decades now I’m continually reminded how computers have evolved our lives and certainly in this issue crash investigations. From my first accident reconstruction class several decades ago in which we relied on our calculations and 100-foot tape measures. Now it’s, 3D scanners, drones, and digital photography! Amazing work our staff can do in recreating a scene for a judge and or jury to get a good look at the scene of an incident before making decisions.
On another note, we recently added three college interns to work with us this summer learning from our staff the diversity of our Office’s responsibilities in serving Olmsted County. Later this summer we will add new detention and law enforcement deputies to fill our ranks. The opportunities are endless, and I think back to the FMU article again and wonder what changes in technology and advantages our future generations in this office will have by the end of their careers. This profession continues to astonish me.
Forensic Mapping Unit
Sergeant Brady Wolhart
One area the Sheriff’s Office places heavy emphasis is on traffic crash prevention. This comes in many forms including extra patrol in target areas as well as Towards Zero Death (TZD) grant funded shifts for Deputies to work specifically on traffic offenses including speed, seatbelt and hands-free violations. While the effort to reduce crashes is always ongoing, so is the need to investigate them when they do occur.
To help investigate fatal crashes in Olmsted County, the Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Rochester Police Department and created a joint team called the Forensic Mapping Unit (FMU). The team was first established by the Rochester Police Department in 1999 with the Sheriff’s Office joining in 2001. Law enforcement officers from both agencies make up this investigative team and can be called upon when a serious or fatal crash occurs within Olmsted County. This can occur any time day or night and the team uses a special paging system on the employee’s cell phones to notify them the team has been requested at a crash scene. Some of the members of the team are certified in “Accident Reconstruction “. In order to become an accident reconstructionist, you have to attend about 6 weeks of additional training. RPD and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office have utilized training sponsored by the Minnesota State Patrol for those FMU members who are looking to become accident reconstructionist. The Minnesota State Patrol has their own group of accident reconstruction certified Troopers who respond to fatal crashes on MN Highways and Interstates.
This team uses special equipment including 3D scanners, drones and digital photography to document crash scenes as part of the investigation. The team can also download information from vehicle computers to help gain an understanding of what was happening in the moments before a crash. One factor that is often looked at during a crash investigation is the speed of the vehicles involved leading up to the moment of impact. Often the onboard vehicle computer can provide this information. An additional way to help get an idea of a vehicle’s speed is to look at skid marks left behind on the roadway leading up to the point of impact. The team will take measurements of tire marks and distances traveled and plug that into a mathematical formula. The formula also includes data related to vehicle mass and coefficient of friction on the roadway surface. Different roadway and surface types such as asphalt, concrete, gravel or grass all have different effects on how effectively a vehicle is able to stop when the brakes are applied. The formula’s used by crash reconstructionist will help investigators document what that vehicle’s minimum speed was at the time it left the skid marks. All of the collected information are puzzle pieces that investigators use to help determine what happened. The information collected gets put into a report which can be used by prosecuting and defense attorneys should the crash result in a criminal charge for someone.
From January 1st 2025 through May 1st 2025, 13 total serious injury crashes occurred within Olmsted County, two of which resulted in fatalities. Statewide during that same time period, 398 injury crashes occurred involving 470 persons with suspected injuries and 98 total deaths.
Correctional Officers Week and National Police Week 2025
Since a Presidential Proclamation made it official in 1984, the first week in May has been designated as a time to honor the work and the sacrifices of America’s correctional officers and employees. This week, known as National Correctional Officers Week, was first created by President Ronald Reagan who said “The professionalism, dedication and courage exhibited by these officers throughout the performance of these demanding and often conflicting roles deserves our utmost respect. The important work of correctional officers often does not receive the recognition from the public it deserves.”
That definitely being the case, we officially recognized our own Adult Detention Center (ADC) staff the week of May 4th -10th. This included a proclamation from the County Board as well, officially recognizing all of the amazing work being done. It takes a true professional to walk through the doors knowing the dangers you will face yet do it anyways. While it may not be as ‘flashy’ or on the front page like law enforcement often is, it is no less important or impressive. It takes a special person to stand tall and strong in a housing unit full of people who are often at the lowest point in their lives. Each lateral assignment has its own challenges and dangers, and you all accept it every time you put on the uniform. Unless you yourself have done this job, there are no words to accurately describe how difficult- and sometimes also rewarding- it can be. Staff never know which to expect at the start of every shift, but accept the responsibility anyway, day in and day out.
During the week, there was a display on the 1st floor of the main hall of the Government Center to showcase both the history of the job and all that Detention staff do. Supervisors provided a meal or snacks each day for all staff, and the Steering Committee held several fundraising events during the year to be able to buy prizes that were given to staff as part of the celebration. The Command Staff of the Sheriff’s Office could not be prouder of the hard work, professionalism, dedication and compassion of our ADC staff. Please join us in saying THANK YOU for all that you do!
National Police Week was May 11th ~ 17th . In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. National Police Week offers honor, remembrance, and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. It includes the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and other events throughout the week that honor those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.
We are dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and providing support to their families and colleagues. Join us in our mission to show appreciation and gratitude for the men and women who courageously protect our communities.
On Monday, May 19th, law enforcement from Southeast Minnesota gathered for the annual Memorial to honor and pay our respects to those killed or who died in the line of duty at the 2025 Southeast Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Program. Thank you to all who attended and stood with us in remembrance.
Monthly snapshot: Year-to-Date Crash Statistics
Sergeant Brady Wolhart
| January 1 - May 1, 2025 | Details | Olmsted County | Minnesota Statewide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crash Summary | Total Crashes | 13 | 489 |
| Total Vehicles Involved | 17 | 764 | |
| Injury Details | Crashes Resulting in Injury | 11 | 398 |
| Total Injuries Reported | 18 | 696 | |
| Total Suspected Serious Injuries | 13 | 470 | |
| Fatality Details | Crashes Resulting In Fatality | 2 | 91 |
| Total Fatalities Reported | 2 | 98 |
Dates of interest
June 2
Oronoco Township Meeting
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
June 3
Elmira Township Meeting
High Forest Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
June 4
Salem Township Meeting
June 5
Dover City Council Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Tip a Cop
June 9
Cascade Township Meeting
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
June 10
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
June 12
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
June 16
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
June 17
Farmington Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
June 18
Haverhill Township Meeting
June 23
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
June 24
Stewartville City Council Meeting
June 26
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted County Township Association Meeting
June 30
Dover 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