Sheriff's Office Newsletter - July 2023 Volume 9, Issue 7

July 2023 Newsletter (Volume 9, Issue 7)

Please click on the title below to view each of the different stories in the newsletter.

The Battle of the Badges is back!

The Battle of the Badges is back and will run through August 31! You can join us for the annual Battle of the Badges blood donation challenge involving first-responder groups in Olmsted County. Show your support by donating for your favorite organization—all are welcome!

Participating teams include:

• Law Enforcement (Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Police Department)
• Fire Department (Byron, Rochester and Stewartville Fire Departments)
• Ambulance Service (Mayo Clinic)

It’s easy to donate! Simply check in at the front desk at one of the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center locations with the desired team name to ensure your blood donation is counted during the competition. The team with the highest number of points brought in wins bragging rights!

You can learn more on the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program website.

Call 507-287-4475 to schedule your donation.

Civil and Warrants Division

Sergeant Mark Chambers

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Civil and Warrants Division is responsible for the service of civil process, criminal warrants, extraditions, and fugitive investigations. Here are some related statistics from the Civil and Warrants Division:

	2023 (1/1-6/1/2023)	2022 (1/1-5/16/2022
Warrants Entered	2753	1216
Civil Papers Entered	3114	1204
Civil Deputy Standbys	71	26
Fugitives (outgoing):	24	12
Extraditions (incoming):	32	19

An explanation of the terminology used may be helpful to readers. A warrant is a document issued by a Judge authorizing law enforcement to make an arrest of a person, or search a premises, person, vehicle, etc., or carry out other actions related to the judicial process. Civil papers include eviction, foreclosure, subpoenas, civil lawsuits, and family court. An example of a civil standby is when a deputy is requested to standby at a residence to help “keep the peace” while two parties in a divorce move items out of the residence. Extradition (incoming from out of state) this is the process of bringing back a fugitive to Olmsted County to be seen by the court for criminal charges. Fugitives (outgoing to another state) refers to a fugitive being held in Olmsted County for a criminal warrant in another state.

Detention Deputy Tara Carlson has Retired

Chief Deputy James Schueller

Congratulations to Detention Deputy Tara Carlson who announced her retirement from the Adult Detention Center effective June 8, 2023.  

Deputy Carlson served the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center (ADC) for almost 24 years.  She started with the ADC on September 13,1999 and during her tenure worked as a Booking Deputy, Court Deputy, Transport Deputy, Work Release Deputy, and as an Acting Duty Sergeant. She served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) since 2000.  Tara took great pride in her roles no matter what they were and represented Olmsted County and its residents with respect and professionalism.  

Thank you for all you’ve done for the Sheriff’s Office and for the citizens of Olmsted County. Enjoy retirement, Tara!

Night to Unite

Night to Unite is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1! Night to Unite (also known as National Night Out across the United States) is a statewide event that builds and fosters community bonds between citizens, businesses, and public safety organizations, such as the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Police Department.

This annual celebration occurs on the first Tuesday in August and gathers neighborhoods and public safety personnel together for an evening to promote safe communities.

Night to Unite's goals are to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
• Generate support and participation in crime prevention and community policing programs.
• Strengthen neighborhood spirits and public safety-community partnerships.
• Let criminals know that you are committed to keeping your neighborhood safe.
• Neighborhoods across the state display outdoor lights and front porch vigils and celebrate with a variety of events and activities, including block parties and cookouts, with visits from sheriff’s offices, police and fire departments, and elected officials.

Members of the Rochester Police Department and the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office would love to stop by! Also, don't forget to apply for neighborhood sponsorships with our Night to Unite partner Custom Alarm.

K9 Update

Captain Ryan Mangan

Deputy Nathan Heeren and his partner K9 Bruno graduated from the St. Paul Police K9 Academy on May 25. In addition to Heeren and Bruno's graduation, Corporal Kevin Schmidt also deserves recognition as he will soon be a USPCA certified K9 trainer after spending the last three months at the academy.

Members of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) K9 Unit took part in the United States Police Canine Association Region 18 certification event in Lake Elmo in June. Each K9 team certified in four different events including evidence search, obedience, suspect search, and criminal apprehension. OCSO teams completing their certification included: Sergeant Adam Waletzki and K9 Cobra, Corporal Kevin Schmidt and K9 Axel, Deputy Kaine Kaase and K9 Athena, and Deputy Aviana Torkelson and K9 Ragnar. Waletzki/K9 Cobra, Schmidt/K9 Axel, and Kaase/K9 Athena had perfect scores in suspect search; Torkelson/K9 Ragnar had the top obedience score within the K9 Unit with 117.5 out of 120. The K9 teams have started preparing for National Certification, which will take place the end of September.

On June 11, Ranger, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, and his handler Corporal Heimer were training for an upcoming K9 Trial. At one point, Ranger did not seem himself and was transported to an animal hospital for a medical emergency. Unfortunately, Ranger succumbed to his illness. Ranger began his service with our office in 2020. He was trained to detect odors of narcotics and in patrol work. During his tenure with us, he served deputies honorably in several patrol-related incidents and made significant contributions to Law Enforcement efforts. We will all miss Ranger.

Torch Run 2023

Law Enforcement from several surrounding agencies and Special Olympics athletes traveled 97.3 miles on June 21st, running and biking their way from the Rochester Government Center to stops in Zumbrota, Lake City, Red Wing and arriving at their final destination in Hastings.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into Opening Ceremonies of local competitions.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms. These platforms include: Plane Pulls, Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, and more. 

Thanks to all who volunteered or participated in this year’s event! We couldn’t do it without you!

Senior Administration

Sheriff
Kevin Torgerson

Chief Deputy—LEC
Brian Howard

Captains
Jon Jacobson
Kelly Lee
Ryan Mangan
Tim Parkin
Chris Wallace

Executive Assistant
Laura Collins

Chief Deputy—ADC
James Schueller

Captains
David Adams
Samantha Reps
Macey Tesmer

Dates of Interest

July 3

Oronoco Township Meeting

Pleasant Grove Township Meeting

Quincy Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

July 4

Elmira Township Meeting

High Forest Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

July 5

Salem Township Meeting

July 6

Dover City Council Meeting

July 10

Cascade Township Meeting

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Orion Township Meeting

Rock Dell Township Meeting

July 11

Byron City Council Meeting

Marion Township Meeting

New Haven Township Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

July 13

Eyota City Council Meeting

Rochester Township Meeting

July 17

Eyota Township Meeting

Kalmar Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

July 18

Farmington Township Meeting

Oronoco City Council Meeting

Pine Island City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

July 19

Haverhill Township Meeting

July 24

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Dover Township Meeting

Viola Township Meeting

July 25

Byron City Council Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

July 27

Eyota City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Fire Meeting

Olmsted County Township Association Meeting