Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Public Newsletter - June 2018

Ramsey County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 06/15/2018 01:00 PM CDT

"The Heart of Service"

ISSUE 6: JUNE 2018

Never Forgetting Our Fallen

It's a somber honor each year for us to "stand vigil" at the Minnesota Peace Officer's Memorial on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds during Police Week.

On May 15th, many of our men and women took their places again, alongside peace officers from across Minnesota, to remember the fallen and demonstrate support for the families, friends, agencies, and communities that have experienced these losses.

Then on May 17th, we continued to respect, honor, and remember as part of National Police Week, at the annual Suburban Ramsey County Law Enforcement Memorial Service hosted by our friends at the White Bear Lake Police Department.

Special thanks to the kids of the Frassati Catholic Academy Choir who treated us to the National Anthem, then later to the song Everyday Heroes - "People give, people care. There are heroes everywhere."

We layed wreaths in memory of our fallen; Reserve Deputy Mike Wilken, Lieutenant Earl Kennicutt, Sergeant Roger Rosengren, and Deputy Kenneth Johnson, and each agency read the names of their fallen, followed by the toll of the bell.

Ushering in the Summer with HDWAD

It's one of our favorite times of the year - Hot Dog with a Deputy season - and we began the season with an incredible turnout at Island Lake Park in Shoreview on June 5th.

Here is Hot Dog with a Deputy "By the Numbers":

800 = Hot dogs served
6:30 = Time we ran out of food
20+ = Employees and volunteers out ensuring a great event
3 = Mounted Patrol horses charming the crowd
1 = Chalk drawings by Sergeant Otto
Immeasurable = Total amount of fun had!

Hot Dog with a Deputy events are scheduled throughout the summer; don't miss out on the fun and don't deprive us of the chance to meet you! See our upcoming HDWAD dates here.

Recognizing 30 Years of Service

You can accomplish a lot in 30 years...from Patrol, to Dive Team, to Water Patrol, to SWAT, to K9 handling, to assignments in the detention center and the historic jail annex, to current leadership in the Courts and Civil Unit.

Thank you to Commander Knafla, who was recognized by Sheriff Serier this week for 30 years of dedicated service to Ramsey County.

Spending Time with the Youngsters

Luna and Gullette at Early Childhood event

Who wouldn't want to hang out with Correctional Officer Sergeant Gullette and Deputy Luna? They proved to be major kid-magnets at an Early Childhood Family Education picnic recently at Indian Mounds Regional Park in St. Paul.

Thanks to the 150+ kids and adults who joined us for questions, socializing, and junior deputizing.

Demonstrating Character and Respect

Last month, Deputy Sam Loe received the Save Our Sons first 2018 Community Policing Award, for her actions when responding to a potentially deadly-force weapons call earlier this year.

This special award was presented by Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter, "For your actions above and beyond the call of duty, sparing precious human life, and averting tragedy."

When asked to say a few words about receiving this award, Deputy Loe responded by giving thanks for the award and expressing her admiration for the young boy she encountered during the weapons call, telling the crowd of the boy's amazing accomplishments and potential.

Deputy Loe, you are a true class act who we are fortunate to have as one of our members!

Extra: See Ruben Rosario's write up!

Opening Our Doors to the Women's Academy

What makes this photo so special?

It's the first ever group photo of our first ever Women's Academy!

These ladies stepped up to the challenge of a demanding and incredible week of behind the scenes training and learning at the RCSO.

Stay tuned for more details in the next edition of "Heart of Service."

Celebrating our Newest Leaders

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Congratulations and thank you to our newest RCSO leaders who've stepped up to the plate to take on additional responsibilities and challenges, and whose recent promotions were honored last week:

Undersheriff of Public Safety Services - Rich Clark
Deputy Sheriff Commander - Eric Bradt
Deputy Sheriff Commander - Tim Gulden
Deputy Sheriff Commander - Jon Hankes
Deputy Sheriff Commander - Mike O'Neill
Deputy Sheriff Commander - Roy Robbins
Deputy Sheriff Sergeant - Sonya Eastham
Deputy Sheriff Sergeant - Nick Hanson
Deputy Sheriff Sergeant - Tony Pederson
Deputy Sheriff Sergeant - Dan Young
Correctional Lieutenant - Kevin Davy
Correctional Lieutenant - Mike T. Johnson
Correctional Sergeant - Kim Abel
Correctional Sergeant - Brian Dorsey
Correctional Sergeant - Rob Erickson
Correctional Sergeant - Daryl Gullette
Correctional Sergeant - Melissa Hildebrandt
Correctional Sergeant - Ryan Johnson
Correctional Sergeant - Richard Paul
Correctional Sergeant - Peter Stolz

Honoring Sheriff Serier's Leadership

Sheriff Serier is spotted almost weekly presenting a variety of recognitions and awards to our accomplished RCSO members. But recently it was the Sheriff's turn, as he received a very special Leadership Award.

The award, which was presented by the Lo-Pha Society of MN, was given in honor, appreciation, and recognition of Sheriff Serier's leadership, services, and dedication to the Hmong-American community.

Congratulations Sheriff!

Inspiring Youth to Wear Safety Helmets

Our Deputies are on the lookout this summer for kids who are wearing helmets while bike-riding, in-line skating, skateboarding, or riding scooters! And if we "catch" you, we may write you a coupon for a FREE DQ small ice cream cone.

We're asking kids (and adults) to be safe this summer and always wear helmets during these activities.

Thanks to Dairy Queen and AAA for providing 50,000 free DQ coupons throughout Minnesota.

Ensuring You are Served 24/7

We always enjoy “meeting” you out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and sharing news and information. There is one thing, though, that we ask you to NOT share with us on our social media platforms – reports of crimes and suspicious activity.

Each week, we receive social media messages and posts from our community members who want to report crimes. Often the posters say they’ve chosen to post instead of call because:

“I don’t want to bother you.”

“I’m not sure of the protocol for calling you.”

“It’s not an emergency.”

Remember that we are here to serve you, help you stay safe, provide you with resources, and respond when you need us. You are not bothering us by requesting our help. Our trained police and fire dispatchers are available to take your calls 24/7 and provide timely and appropriate response.

The takeaway from all of this?

For emergencies, issues that need immediate police response, or to report crimes or suspicious activity, don’t post, DO call.

DO call 9-1-1 for emergencies and issues that require immediate police response
DO call 651-767-0640 for non-emergencies in Ramsey County

Demonstrating Intelligence + Character

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Congratulations to Sergeants Kirkland and Alteri (pictured here with Sheriff Serier) for continuing to pursue their educational goals and recently completing an intensive Public Safety Leadership program at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School.

Intelligence + Character for the win!

Lending a Hand to Families...of all Types

It may look like a re-creation of the Beatles album "Abbey Road," but it's really one of many assists our deputies give to our community members...including the winged ones. Because everyone needs a little help sometimes.

Thank you to the kind drivers who were patient during our recent unplanned goose family escort and to our citizen who captured the moment.

Keeping Traditions Alive

Bzzzzzzzzzz!!

Back in 1997, Law Enforcement Explorer Advisors Ron and DiAnn Valento threw down a challenge to our youth Explorers; excel at the state competition, and in return the male advisors would shave their heads. This challenge proved to be quite the motivation for our youth Explorers over the years and has resulted in several years of advisor “buzz cuts.”

Two years ago, the challenge took on an extra level of meaning when Advisor/Deputy Ron Valento began chemotherapy to battle cancer. In a show of solidarity with our departed and greatly-missed friend Ron Valento, and some good solid motivation for our youth Explorers (who took home numerous awards at this year’s statewide competition), our Explorer Advisors continue the tradition are currently sporting some sweet new buzz cuts.