Sheriff's Office Newsletter - May 2022

May 2022 Newsletter (Volume 8, Issue 5)

To view each of the different stories in the newsletter, please click on the title below.

Remembering Big Mark

For many April brings smiles knowing that Spring is arriving. However, for the ADC staff, April also brings tears. On April 15, 2021, our brother Mark Anderson’s watch ended after he reported to work. Our loss has deeply affected us and we all remember Mark in our own way. In order to honor Mark and never forget him, Captain Reps (with the assistance of Corporal Sherman) had a memorial to Mark made. Thanks to Bucks Boards a memorial to Mark will be hung in the ADC break room along with a squad decal with Mark’s name on it and a framed photo of Mark. We have dedicated a wall for the display so that every day we remember Mark and his dedicated service to our office. He shall never be forgotten.

Spring is Here

Captain Macey Tesmer

Although the weather didn’t seem like spring, Thursday, April 7, was the bi-annual spring awards ceremony for the Sheriff’s Office. As we have done for years, twice a year we have an awards program to swear in new appointees or promoted staff and honor staff and civilians who have gone above to serve in some way.

For the first time that anyone can remember, there were more appointments for the Law Enforcement Division than for the Adult Detention Center. There were four ADC appointments and eight for the LE division.

ADC appointments: Justin Hoffman, Tanner Mancilman, Curtis (CJ) Ross and Spencer Rudnik

LE Appointments: John Davis, Tristan Severson, Brady Meyer, Tanner Weinfurtner, Daniel August, Riley Bauman, Reece Ferguson, Austin Klaysmat

Heather Johns was promoted to Detective.

In addition to appointments, there were several individuals who received awards of different kinds. Deputy Dylan DeRuiter and Corporal Rian Jones along with civilians Brad Kittleson, Jeffrey Klein and Dale Robertson were awarded a life saving award. Byron school teacher Tara Dunken received a letter of recognition for a program she does that spotlights the work law enforcement does for her students. Detention Deputy Tiffany Howlett received a letter of recognition for assisting in starting a specialized team of staff in the ADC who have additional training on interacting with developmentally disabled individuals. Detention Deputy Chad Munsch was awarded a medal of commendation along with Detention Deputies Brandon Richardson, Andrew Thorson and Detention Corporal Matt Adamson who received letters of recognition for their role and assistance when one of their co-workers was assaulted by a detainee.

Lastly, Training Records Technician Denise Haefner was awarded the medal of commendation for her exemplary performance over the last 46 years with Olmsted County. After announcing her award the Sheriff also shared Denise’s retirement letter which brought some tears to the room. You will be missed, Denise! Welcome to our new staff and congratulations on promotions and awards. We are thankful for all of you!

Employee Awards

Medal of Honor

Awarded posthumously to an eligible candidate who gives their life in the performance of their official Sheriff's Office duties.

Medal of Valor

Awarded for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism. Courage in the face of great danger; serious risk of personal injury or death.

Medal of Commendation

Awarded for excellent performance of a highly creditable accomplishment that contributes to the Mission of the Sheriff's Office. May be awarded for a single act or a consistent and superior performance in a variety of assigned duties.

Life Saving Award

Awarded for any act that contributes to the saving of a life.

Letter of Recognition

Awarded for especially noteworthy performance of assigned duties or volunteer activities that are deserving of office-wide and/or public recognition.

Citizen Awards

Medal of Valor

Awarded for an act of outstanding citizenship. This may include saving a life or preventing a serious incident.

Medal of Commendation

This award may be given for an act of outstanding citizenship. This may include saving a life or preventing a serious incident. May be awarded for consistent performance of a variety of activities and/or over an extended period for citizen volunteers.

Life Saving Award

Awarded for any act that contributes to the saving of a life.

Letter of Recognition

Awarded for an act of noteworthy citizenship that is deserving of office-wide and/or public recognition. This may include assisting saving a life or assisting deputies in any way. May be awarded for consistent performance of a variety of activities and/or over an extended period for citizen volunteers.

Monthly Snapshot - Awards

Captain Macey Tesmer

Here is a snapshot of the number of appointments, promotions and awards that have been given for the last year. Data included is from April 2021 to April 2022.

New hire Appointments:

ADC-18

LE-17

Support Staff-4

Promotions:

ADC-2

LE-15

Support Staff-1

Letters of Recognition:

Sheriff’s Office Staff-52

Civilians-4

Life Saving Awards:

Sheriff’s Office Staff-31

Civilians-13

Medals of Commendation:

Sheriff’s Office Staff-9

Civilians-2

Medal of Honor-1

Dates of Interest

May 1 ~ 7

National Correctional Officer Week

May 2

Oronoco Township Meeting

Pleasant Grove Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

May 3

Elmira Township Meeting

High Forest Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

May 4

Salem Township Meeting

May 5

Dover City Council Meeting

Quincy Township Meeting

May 9

Cascade Township Meeting

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Orion Township Meeting

Rock Dell Township Meeting

May 10

Byron City Council Meeting

Marion Township Meeting

New Haven Township Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

May 11 ~ 17

National Peace Officer Week

May 12

Eyota City Council Meeting

Rochester Township Meeting

May 16

Eyota Township Meeting

Kalmar Township Meeting

Oronoco City Council Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

May 17

Farmington Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Pine Island City Council Meeting

May 18

Haverhill Township Meeting

May 19

Law Enforcement Memorial

May 23

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Viola Township Meeting

May 24

Byron City Council Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

May 26

Eyota City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Fire Meeting

Olmsted County Township Association Meeting

May 30

Dover Township Meeting

Senior Administration

Sheriff

Kevin Torgerson

Chief Deputy of Law Enforcement Center

Terry Waletzki

Captains

Mike Bromberg

Jon Jacobson

Tim Parkin

James Schueller

Chris Wallace

Executive Assistant

Laura Collins

Chief Deputy of Adult Detention Center

Brian Howard

Captains

David Adams

Samantha Reps

Macey Tesmer