May 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 5)
May 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11 Issue 5)
Headlines are provided below. Click to read each story in the newsletter.
A Note from Sheriff Torgerson
As you can see, we had the opportunity to recognize our newly appointed staff and the wonderful work of our staff and citizens. If you know these deputies and community members, please take a moment to congratulate them and thank them for a job well done.
During the month of May, we will also be recognizing Correctional Officers and Law Enforcement Officers. Please join us in recognizing our deputies during the upcoming weeks:
National Correctional Officers Week is May 4-10. There will be a display honoring our correctional officers all week in the Government Center.
National Police Week is May 11-17. The National Law Enforcement Memorial Day is annually held on May 15 with observances in St. Paul and Washington DC.
The Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of SE Minnesota will host the local Law Enforcement Memorial Service on Monday, May 19, at 6 pm at the Law Enforcement Memorial in Rochester, Minnesota.
Lastly, a heartfelt congratulations and thank you to Sergeant Ted Maeder for his service to Olmsted County for his 33 years! Enjoy retirement, Ted.
Spring Awards Program
On April 3, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office celebrated those that have been newly hired, have done exceptional work, saved a life, and made a significant contribution to the Sheriff’s Office and the community.
Certificates of Appointment
- Dylan Emanuel - Detention Deputy - January 13, 2025
- Michelle Frey - Detention Deputy - January 13, 2025
- Charles Gordon - Detention Deputy - January 13, 2025
- John Herring - Detention Deputy - January 13, 2025
- Jaclyn Reimers - Detention Deputy - January 13, 2025
- Sodara Lam - Deputy Sheriff - February 24, 2025
Letters of Recognition
- John Davis
- Steven Norton
- Franck Nourry-Cabrol
- Carina Olvera
Life Saving Awards
- Justin Dombrovski
- Conner Forrest
Medals of Commendation
- Michelle Jacobson
- Ted Maeder
Davis received a letter of recognition for his unwavering commitment to promoting traffic safety within Olmsted County in 2024. Sergeant Waletzki’s nomination noted that Deputy Davis completed 59 DWI investigations in 2024 and became a Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE). In November of 2024, Deputy Davis arrested three impaired drivers in one 12-hour shift, completing his first DWI “Hat Trick”. Of those impaired drivers one was for alcohol impairment and two were for cannabis impairment. Deputy Davis’s contributions have set a standard of excellence that others should strive to emulate, and I’m proud to acknowledge the difference he has made. Thank you once again for your tireless efforts and contributions to the safety of our community.
Detention Deputy Franck Nourry-Cabrol (center) and Dr. Steven Norton (left) and Detention Deputy Carina Olvera (unable to attend) received letters of recognition for handling an incident with an exceptional level of professionalism inside the Adult Detention Center.
Corporal Justin Dombrovski and Detention Deputy Conner Forrest (unable to attend) were awarded the Life Saving Award for their actions, which resulted in a life being saved inside the Adult Detention Center.
Sheriff Support Technician Michelle Jacobson was awarded the Medal of Commendation for her phenomenal work she contributed to the Axon Body Worn Camera project. She was nominated by Captain Mangan (right center). Mangan cited Jacobson’s knowledge of the products and vendors, her documentation and her help to implement the product rollout and training for both the ADC and LEC was crucial for the success of this project. Jacobson demonstrates selflessness in her role and is always looking at ways to better our body worn camera program to ultimately provide the best services possible for Olmsted County as well as keep our deputies safe and enable them to perform their job as efficiently as possible. Jacobson is approachable and easy to work with, which encourages continuous feedback from deputies to enable a successful body worn camera program.
Sergeant Ted Maeder was awarded the Medal of Commendation for his extensive effort, time, and work he has committed to the Adult Detention Center since the start of his career in 1992. Maeder dedicated his career to develop future leaders in this organization, took on additional roles to go above and beyond the expectations of his position. His dedication, hard work, and commitment to the Adult Detention Center have significantly contributed to the success of the deputies under his leadership.
Sergeant Ted Maeder is Retiring
In 1992 Ted Maeder decided to take on a new adventure and started working in the Olmsted County Jail. At the time this was the old linear jail that was located on 1st St. SW. In 1993 Ted was part of a team that transitioned from a linear jail philosophy to running a direct supervision facility. No more bars, instead open housing units with staff being face to face with the detainees.
In 1997 Ted was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He worked several years on shift and then transitioned into programs as the Programs Sergeant. During this time he assisted in overseeing programming offered to the detainees, the volunteers who provided the programing and being a liaison for the detainees.
Later Ted became the Training Sergeant overseeing mandatory training for existing staff and training for new hires. Ted has had several roles as a trainer including; Direct Supervision, Interpersonal Communication Skills and a Use of Force instructor for Olmsted County and the MN Sheriff’s Association.
Ted is ending his career in the ADC Court Division. This division works with the courts and Law Enforcement staff to provide security and safety in the court room when detainees that are in custody need to attend a hearing. In addition to his normal duties Ted was a member of the ERU for 20 years, Vice President of Correctional Officers of MN for seven years and President for two. Ted has won several awards and had the opportunity to serve under four different Sheriff’s.
We wish Ted the best and hope he enjoys this next chapter in life.
CIT Training
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) was developed in 2007 when the OCSO, RPD and the Olmsted County Behavioral Health Unit provided the first CIT certification training in Olmsted County and has continued annually. Members of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Olmsted County probation officers and social workers, Rochester Police Department, and other area law enforcement agencies participated in Crisis Intervention Training again this April. The training provides classroom sessions and role-play scenarios from the De-escalation Team brought to life by actors. Thank you to everyone helping take our CIT training to another level. Connecting effectively with people in crisis is vital; it strengthens our ability to support and serve our community compassionately.
Monthly snapshot: Staff Longevity Recognition 2025
Congratulations and thank you to our staff recognized for years of service with Olmsted County this year:
|
Karen Anderson |
5 |
Michelle Jacobson |
10 |
Katherine Refsland |
20 |
||
|
Kyle Cottingham |
5 |
Joel Johnson |
10 |
Chris Spelhaug |
20 | ||
|
Dylan DeRuiter |
5 |
Rian Jones |
10 |
James McCormick |
25 | ||
|
Aaron Farr |
5 |
Connie Kath |
10 |
Chris Wallace |
25 | ||
|
Nate Heeren |
5 |
Steve Loomis |
10 |
Chad Winters |
25 | ||
|
Erik Ickler |
5 |
Casey McFarlen |
10 |
Jeff Coe |
26 | ||
|
Caleb Krause |
5 |
Edgar Rayford |
10 |
James Schueller |
26 | ||
|
Luke Leichtnam |
5 |
Michael Reese |
10 |
Mark Baron |
27 | ||
|
Chad Munsch |
5 |
Scott Reese |
10 |
Todd Peterson |
27 | ||
|
Carina Olvera |
5 |
Joe Ruelle |
10 |
Dean Thompson |
27 | ||
|
Nicole Rasmussen |
5 |
Jeff Salley |
10 |
Dave Adams |
28 | ||
|
Michael Russel |
5 |
Kevin Schmidt |
10 |
Laura Collins |
28 | ||
|
Chris Streed |
5 |
Zach Wagner |
10 |
John Mrozek |
28 | ||
|
John Wade |
5 |
Sheri Zeller |
10 |
Tracey Pagel |
28 | ||
|
Courtney Willey |
5 |
Aaron Budensiek |
20 |
Macey Tesmer |
28 | ||
|
Chris Anderson |
10 |
Maja Donohue |
20 |
Judy Indrelie |
30 | ||
|
Jeremy Boucher |
10 |
Mollie Kolb |
20 |
Ted Maeder |
33 | ||
|
Tiffany Howlett |
10 |
Dean Pike |
20 |
Kevin Torgerson |
39 |
Dates of interest
May 1
Dover City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
May 4-10
National Correctional Officers Week
May 5
Oronoco Township Meeting
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
May 6
Elmira Township Meeting
High Forest Township Meeting
May 7
Salem Township Meeting
May 8
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
May 11-17
National Police Week
May 12
Cascade Township Meeting
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
May 13
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
May 19
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Law Enforcement Memorial Program
Rochester City Council Meeting
May 20
Farmington Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
May 21
Haverhill Township Meeting
May 22
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted County Township Association Meeting
May 26
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Dover Township Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
May 27
Stewartville City Council 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