Sheriff's Office • 100 North Fifth Avenue West • Duluth, MN 55802 Phone: (218) 726-2340 • www.stlouiscountymn.gov
Ross Litman Sheriff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: August 17, 2017
Media Contact: Dave Phillips, Undersheriff (218) 726-2339
Sheriff's Office remembers contributions of former Sheriff Gary Waller
He improved the way investigations are conducted, built the current St. Louis County Jail and implemented the D.A.R.E. program for deputies to teach in schools. These are just a few of the accomplishments credited to former Sheriff Gary Waller, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 72.
Waller served as St. Louis County Sheriff from 1987 until his retirement in 1999. His career in law enforcement also included 21 years working for the Duluth Police Department, where he was perhaps best known for his role as lead investigator in the Congdon murders.
"Gary Waller made our agency more progressive. He brought in new policies and new ways of doing things," said current Sheriff Ross Litman. "He hired me and a number of our now more senior deputies and staff, so his lessons and legacy are still very much with us. Because of his background, he strongly supported investigations and brought a modern ethic and new direction in the way we do our work."
Waller was a member of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association and served a term as its president. In 1995 he was awarded the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, which is given to individuals and organizations that have made an outstanding contribution within the community towards crime prevention and community awareness.
Honor guards from both the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Duluth Police Department will be present at his funeral, which is scheduled for August. 25.
Gary Waller served as St. Louis County Sheriff from 1987-1999. He passed away Tuesday at the age of 72.
