The Steele County Sheriff’s Office is always willing to offer assistance to neighboring agencies when they are in need, knowing that the same efforts would be offered to our agency should a major emergency situation come our way.
We have also partnered with MN Dept. of Public Safety, encouraging our deputies to assist in their Safe & Sober Program. This program focuses extra patrol on such subjects as seat belt use, child restraint seats, alcohol/drug impairment and speed. The over-time hours that our employees put in are then reimbursed by the MN Dept. of Public Safety.
Currently we have a licensed officer and/or a Special Deputy providing court security, depending on the court calendar.
We also provide “contract hours” to the cities of Ellendale and Medford. This would consist of a certain number of hours our deputies spend patrolling in these communities that we are directly reimbursed for.
Although the City of Blooming Prairie has their own Police Department, our deputies assist them whenever necessary. Their 4th of July Celebration has become so large, that we are down there helping in any way we can.
Another major partnership is the security we provide during the Steele County Free Fair. We actually set up an office on the fairgrounds that is manned from mid-morning until 1:00 a.m. every day of the fair.
Our most recent cooperative effort is with the Ritchie Bros. Auction Service. During the first auction in March of 2009, security was provided for a total of 500 hours.
SPECIAL DEPUTIES
Currently there are 29 Special Deputies working in Steele County with a total combined 423 years of service. In 2009, the Special Deputies provided more than 5,700 hours of service and security for various activities in Steele County.
Types of Activities they provide security for include: Wedding Dances, Hotel Security, Fund Raisers, Sporting Events, Street Dances, Auctions and City Celebrations.
The Special Deputies assist the Sheriff’s Office and the local Police departments to provide security at accident or crime scenes until the investigations are complete. They also provide assistance guarding and transporting prisoners when needed.
For approximately the last three years, Special Deputies have provided Bailiff and Jury Attendant services at the Court House.
The monthly meetings provide time for interaction and updating of information plus the necessary training for the Specials.
All the Specials are expected to work at least two civic functions and two nights at the fair in an unpaid capacity.
Many of the Special Deputies went on to become regular police officers or Sheriff’s deputies locally and elsewhere. Some made it to Sheriff. The position is frequently used as a training period for students going to or just graduating from Law Enforcement School. This job provides helpful experience when trying to start their careers in law enforcement.
The Special Deputies were organized in the late forties to service the many dance halls in the county. They worked at the Monterey Ballroom, Zeiner’s Ballroom in Bixby, George’s Supper Club in Medford and Kearney’s Night Club in Ellendale. Some of the early deputies were Myron Pirkl, Stan Wodarczak, Gordy Mollenhauer, Lawrence Christey, Bill Abraham, Kenny Hunt and Al Steinbauer to name a few.
They originally were started under the direction of Sheriff E. Ted Helgeson and then Sheriff Don Christianson. As the dance halls closed, community centers and private clubs began to fill in the void. The Special Deputies started working at places like the VFW, Eagles, Elks, K of C Halls of Owatonna and Medford, The Community Center in Ellendale and the Servicemen’s Club in Blooming Prairie. The Owatonna Armory also accommodates wedding dances and special activities. Street dances in many communities request the Specials services. In the last fifteen years, a number of charity organizations have chosen to use the Special Deputies to provide security at their events.
In the mid-fifties, Jim Kidd then a vice-president at Federated Insurance Company and Ed Holmen with the Owatonna Canning Company with the help of friends and fellow workers organized a group of citizens in the Civil Defense. Their mission was to provide assistance of national security to the local area residents in case of any type of emergency. They learned the identification of many airplanes in case of a possible invasion. Most emergencies were weather related. This is how the Weather Watch and Sky Warn originated. Another aspect of the local Civil Defense unit was to provide for civic activities such as intersection security at parades and fairgrounds patrol during the county fair.
Around 2005, the Civil Defense and the Special Deputies merged into one organization and are currently providing the same original services to the county.
In 2009, five Special Deputies were honored for their many years of service representing a total of 215 years. Walt Barkfnecht, Jack Dillemuth and John Standke each received plaques for fifty years of service. LeRoy Schroeder and Les Abraham received plaques for thirty-five years and thirty years respectively. In 2010, John Sweet received a twenty-five year plaque, Charlie Berg, Mark Kreutter, Dave Macht and Randy Mahlman received twenty year plaques, Mark Schultz a fifteen year plaque, and Chris Clark a ten year plaque.
Over the years many other citizens of Owatonna and Steele County served as Special Deputies with honor, pride and dignity. Remembering some that served for many years are: Willis Yule, Dave Olson, Al Kreutz, Dave Stockwell, Ken Schiller, Ron Hemann, Richard Smith, Jim Johnson and Dan Hedberg.
You can contact Les Abraham with any questions – 507-398-3284.
MOUNTED POSSE
The Steele County Sheriff's Mounted Posse and Auxiliary was organized to assist the County Sheriff and the communities they serve by providing additional patrol and mobility in areas of limited access. They represent the Steele County Sheriff’s Office in many of Minnesota’s parades and local celebrations, provide security for various events, along with assistance for search and rescue situations as Special Deputies. There are currently 27 active members with five honorary members.
The members are all volunteers. They own and care for their horses, purchase and maintain their own equipment, and provide their own transportation to all events.
They have been trained in CPR, Rescue First Aid, Use of Force, and Search and Rescue techniques. The public sees us during patrol duties and at parades, but don't see the countless hours spent in training.
Training and experience are important for our equine partners as well. We participate in Sensory Training Exercises where we introduce the horses to the unfamiliar obstacles and challenges that are part of the "Posse Experience". Being able to stand firm in the noise and commotion of a crowd or carefully moving one step sideways to avoid a baby stroller is vital. Our horses have to do it all.
This nonprofit organization maintains a sense of civic responsibility, through wagon train rides, trail rides, and other sponsored functions which raise money to assist the Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, Scholarship Funds and countless other charities.
Even in today’s high tech, fast paced society, the Sheriff's Mounted Posse has demonstrated the uncompromised utility of the horse.
You can visit their website at: http://www.scmp.us/
Joe Schwering is the commander and you can reach him at 507-456-1559.
TRANSPORT UNIT
Currently this group is made up of retired licensed law enforcement officers. We have seven individuals that work for us in this capacity.
The Transport Unit provides a safe and secure transport for inmates whether they are going to our local courthouse, another detention facility, medical appointments, etc.
SNOWMOBILE PATROL
The Sheriff’s Office has two snowmobiles that are used to patrol the Steele County snowmobile trails. Our regular licensed deputies take on this responsibility.
WATER PATROL
Our water patrol personnel patrol Beaver Lake on a regular basis. They not only check for action violations but also ensures that boats are equipped with the necessary flotation devices, licenses, etc.
DNR STATE BOAT & WATER SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM INFORMATION
GRANT NAME: STATE BOAT & WATER SAFETY GRANT TO COUNTIES
PROJECT MANAGER: LON THIELE, STEELE COUNTY SHERIFF
TYPE: LEGISLATIVELY-DIRECTED APPROPRIATIONS
PURPOSE: PREVENTING OR REDUCING BOATING ACCIDENTS AND DROWNINGS AND MAKING MINNESOTA’S WATERS SAFE AND ENJOYABLE. THIS INCLUDES BOATING LAW ENFORCEMENT, AIDS TO NAVIGATION, RESPONSE TO AND INVESTIGATION OF BOATING ACCIDENTS / DROWNINGS, SEARCH, RESCUE AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS, PERMITTING OF EVENTS AND TEMP. STRUCTURES AND RENTAL BOAT INSPECTIONS.
GRANTS TO STEELE COUNTY:
2011 GRANT
ALLOCATED: $2,169.00
GRANT PERIOD: JANUARY 1, 2011 – JUNE 30, 2012
AMOUNTS EXPENDED & INVOICED AS OF 6/30/11: $ 313.41
AMOUNT EXPENDED AND INVOICED TO DATE: $1,822.86
2010 GRANT
ALLOCATED: $1,707.00
GRANT PERIOD: JANUARY 1, 2010 – JUNE 30, 2011
AMOUNTS EXPENDED & INVOICED AS OF 6/30/10: $ 0.00
AMOUNT EXPENDED AND INVOICED TO DATE: $1,707.00
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