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According to the 2022 County Health Rankings released by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and supported by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation.
CARVER COUNTY WAS PREVIOUSLY RANKED FIRST AMONG ALL MINNESOTA COUNTIES AS
MINNESOTA'S HEALTHIEST COUNTYIN BOTH HEALTH OUTCOMES & HEALTH FACTORS !!
PLEASE SEE MY 11 PAGE RESPONSE TO SHERIFF KAMERUD, BELOW.
Subdivision 1.Crime. Whoever intentionally does any of the following may be sentenced as provided in subdivision 2:
(1) obstructs, hinders, or prevents the lawful execution of any legal process,
civil or criminal, or apprehension of another on a charge or conviction of a
criminal offense;
(2) obstructs, resists, or interferes with a Peace Officer while the Officer is engaged in the performance of official duties;
(3) interferes with or obstructs a firefighter while the firefighter is engaged in the performance of official duties;
(4) interferes with or obstructs a member of an ambulance service personnel crew, as defined in section 144E.001, subdivision 3a, who is providing, or attempting to provide, emergency care; or
(5) by force or threat of force endeavors to obstruct any employee of the Department of Revenue, Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division, a driver's license agent appointed under section 171.061, or a deputy registrar appointed under section 168.33 while the employee is lawfully engaged in the performance of official duties for the purpose of deterring or interfering with the performance of those duties.
Subd. 2.Penalty. A person convicted of violating subdivision 1 may be sentenced as follows:
(1) if (i) the person knew or had reason to know that the act created a risk of death, substantial bodily harm, or serious property damage; or (ii) the act caused death, substantial bodily harm, or serious property damage; to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both;
(2) if the act was accompanied by force or violence or the threat thereof, and is not otherwise covered by clause (1), to imprisonment for not more than 364 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both; or
(3) in other cases, to imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
2025 MINNESOTA STATUTES
609.505 - FALSELY REPORTING A CRIME
Subdivision 1.False reporting. Whoever informs a Law Enforcement Officer that a crime has been committed or otherwise provides information to an on-duty Peace Officer, knowing that the person is a Peace Officer, regarding the conduct of others, knowing that it is false and intending that the Officer shall act in reliance upon it, is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person who is convicted a second or subsequent time under this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
Subd. 2.Reporting Police misconduct. (a) Whoever informs, or causes information to be communicated to, a Peace Officer, whose responsibilities include investigating or reporting Police misconduct, that a Peace Officer, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), has committed an act of Police Misconduct, knowing that the information is false, is guilty of a crime and may be sentenced as follows:
(1) up to the maximum provided for a misdemeanor if the false information does not allege a criminal act; or
(2) up to the maximum provided for a gross misdemeanor if the false information alleges a criminal act.
(b) The Court shall order any person convicted of a violation of this subdivision to make full restitution of all reasonable expenses incurred in the investigation of the false allegation unless the Court makes a specific written finding that restitution would be inappropriate under the circumstances. A restitution award may not exceed $3,000.
Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to sections 351.14 to 351.23.
Subd. 2. Malfeasance. "Malfeasance" means the willful commission of an
unlawful or wrongful act in the performance of a Public Official's duties which is outside the scope of the authority of the Public Official and which infringes on the rights of any person or entity.
Subd. 3. Nonfeasance. "Nonfeasance" means the willful failure to perform a specific act which is a required part of the duties of the Public Official.
Subd. 4.Misfeasance. "Misfeasance" means the negligent performance of the duties of a Public Official or the negligent failure to perform a specific act which is a required part of the duties of the Public Official.
Subd. 5.Elected county official. "Elected County Official" means any Public Official who is elected to countywide office or appointed to an elective countywide office, including COUNTY ATTORNEY, COUNTY SHERIFF, county auditor, county recorder, county treasurer, and soil and water conservation supervisor. "Elected County Official" also means a County Commissioner elected or appointed from a Commissioner District or a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor elected or appointed from a Supervisor District established under section 103C.311, subdivision 2.
IT'S ALL ABOUT
'INTEGRITY' !!
When a County Sheriff receives a formal complaint alleging corruption, deceit, deception, misconduct, unethical conduct, abuse of authority, obstruction, or possible criminal violations involving PUBLIC OFFICIALS within the very County that he serves, it is absolutely imperative that the Sheriff immediately request an independent, ‘outside’ Law Enforcement agency to conduct the investigation.
Anything less undermines public confidence, damages the integrity of the investigation, and creates the appearance — whether intentional or not — of favoritism, protectionism, conflict of interest, or institutional “cover-up.”
The issue is not whether the Sheriff personally knows the accused PUBLIC OFFICIALS, likes them, supports them politically, or believes them to be “good people.”
The issue is preserving the integrity, impartiality, credibility, and public trust of the investigative process itself.
A County Sheriff and his Department routinely work closely with local elected PUBLIC OFFICIALS, CITY ADMINISTRATORS, CITY CLERKS,
PROSECUTORS, MUNICIPAL ATTORNEYS, and other PUBLIC OFFICIALS
throughout the County. They often interact professionally, politically, socially, and administratively. In many cases, these relationships have existed for years or even decades.
Because of those unavoidable relationships and interdependencies, the Sheriff must recognize that his own Department cannot reasonably be viewed as completely detached or impartial when allegations arise involving those same officials.
Even if an internal investigation were conducted honestly and professionally, the public perception of bias, preferential treatment, or “protecting insiders” would remain. Public confidence in government is destroyed when citizens believe PUBLIC OFFICIALS are investigating themselves or their political allies behind closed doors.
AN INDEPENDENT 'OUTSIDE' INVESTIGATION
PROTECTS EVERYONE INVOLVED
First, it protects the integrity and reputation of the Sheriff and his Department.
Second, it protects the rights of the accused PUBLIC OFFICIALS by ensuring a neutral, objective review of the facts.
Third, it protects the complainant from retaliation, intimidation, or institutional bias.
Fourth, it protects the public’s trust that the investigation is legitimate, transparent, and free from undue influence.
Fifth, it protects the County from future claims that the investigation was compromised, manipulated, incomplete, or intentionally suppressed.
Most importantly, ‘outside’ investigations eliminate the appearance of impropriety and conflict of interest — something that is absolutely essential whenever allegations involve public corruption, abuse of authority, misconduct in office, misuse of governmental power, or potential criminal conduct by PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
While SOME may THINK that the ARE, PUBLIC OFFICIALS are NOT “above the law” because of the Office they hold.
In fact, those entrusted with PUBLIC OFFICE should be held to a HIGHER STANDARD of HONESTY, INTEGRITY, ETHICS, ACCOUNTABILITY and
TRANSPARENCY than ordinary citizens.
When those standards are violated, the investigation must itself be beyond question.
A County Sheriff who refuses to seek an independent ‘outside’ investigation in matters involving his own governmental partners, political associates, contracted municipalities, or fellow PUBLIC OFFICIALS risks permanently damaging public confidence in both his Office and, as we've witnessed in Carver County; the Criminal Justice System itself !!
The public has an absolute right to expect that allegations of corruption, misconduct, deceit, abuse of authority, obstruction, false reporting, misuse of governmental process, or other unethical or unlawful conduct by PUBLIC OFFICIALS will be investigated independently, aggressively, impartially, and without favoritism — regardless of who is involved, their political position, or the power they hold.
Should any Violation(s) of Law by any of the involved PUBLIC OFFICIALS be uncovered, discovered and determined, that information should likewise be referred, by the investigating agency; to an 'outside' agency, for criminal prosecution.
Anything less is wholly unacceptable in a free and honest society governed by the rule of law.
When a County Sheriff retires, it is often assumed that the Chief Deputy—the outgoing Sheriff’s second-in-command—should naturally become the next Sheriff. While that may seem logical at first glance, it is not necessarily the best choice for the future of the Sheriff’s Office, its Deputies, civilian personnel or the citizens it serves.
A Chief Deputy has typically spent years working under the policies, procedures, management style, and philosophy of the outgoing Sheriff. Over time, those practices can become deeply ingrained in the Chief Deputy.. As a result, a successor from within the same administration may continue operating under the familiar mindset:
“Because that’s the way we’ve always done it.”
Continuity has its place, but Law Enforcement agencies must also evolve. New challenges require new thinking, new ideas, modern management practices, and forward-looking leadership.
Electing a Sheriff who is independent of the outgoing administration provides an opportunity for a fresh and objective perspective, much to the BENEFIT of county residents..
An experienced Law Enforcement professional who has NOT been shaped by the outgoing administration can evaluate what is working well, identify areas that need improvement, and introduce innovative programs, updated policies, and effective management practices without being influenced by past loyalties or longstanding internal habits.
THAT IS WHY I SUPPORT JESSICA HEGER AS THE NEXT CARVER COUNTY SHERIFF !!.
My support for Jessica Heger is based upon more than casual observation. I began my Law Enforcement career in 1967 as a Village Police Officer and later served as a Sheriff’s Deputy with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (Minnesota's LARGEST Sheriff's Office), where I advanced to the rank of Sergeant in TWO Divisions. During my career, I had the opportunity to work under Hennepin County Sheriff Don Omodt, who served as Sheriff for 27 years and became the longest-serving Sheriff in Hennepin County history. That experience gave me a firsthand and a personal understanding of the importance of strong, capable, and experienced leadership within a Sheriff’s Office.
Having spent more than three decades in professional Law Enforcement, I recognize and appreciate leadership, talent, sound judgment, and experience when I see it. I clearly see those admirable qualities in Jessica Heger. As a Special Agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Jessica Heger brings extensive investigative experience, proven leadership abilities, and a broad statewide Law Enforcement perspective.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is staffed by some of the most highly trained and experienced Law Enforcement professionals in Minnesota. It is the agency that Police and Sheriff’s Departments throughout the state frequently call upon when they need specialized expertise, investigative assistance, technical knowledge, guidance, and advice in serious or complex criminal matters. Throughout her career, Jessica Heger has worked with Law Enforcement agencies across Minnesota. That experience has exposed her to a variety of effective policing strategies, investigative methods, management practices, and innovative programs that could greatly benefit the Carver County Sheriff’s Office.
Just as importantly, she comes to this election without obligations or allegiance to the outgoing Sheriff’s administration. Her decisions can be guided not by “the way we’ve always done it,” but by what is best for the Deputies, civilian employees, communities, and citizens of Carver County.
STRONG LEADERSHIP IMPROVES RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Talented Deputies and civilian employees want to work for an organization that values professionalism, accountability, integrity, innovation, employee development, and open communication. New leadership can create a positive working atmosphere that encourages experienced personnel to remain with the Department while also attracting highly qualified new employees who want to become part of an agency committed to excellence. I sincerely believe that, under the guidance and direction of Jessica Heger, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office has the potential to become one of the finest Sheriff’s Offices in the State of Minnesota.
In my opinion, reaching that goal will be much more difficult if leadership of the Department is simply transferred to a 'holdover' from the current administration. The current Chief Deputy has served in that position for approximately seven and one-half years. During that time, he has been in a position to recommend changes, address employee recruitment and retention, encourage new ideas, and develop innovative programs benefiting the residents of Carver County. If meaningful changes have not occurred during those years, Carver County residents are entitled to ask why they should expect a substantially different direction if the same individual is elected Sheriff.
The concern is not merely about one person. It is about whether the Sheriff’s Office will move forward under genuinely new leadership or continue conducting business largely as usual. The dedicated men and women who serve our communities deserve leadership that supports them, listens to them, values their service, develops their abilities, and prepares the Department for the future—not leadership that merely continues the practices of the past.
The election of a Sheriff is about far more than selecting a successor to the person currently holding the office. It is about choosing the direction, philosophy, leadership, and future of the Carver County Sheriff’s Office for years to come.
Carver County residents have an opportunity this fall to 'turn the page' from complacency and 'business as usual', to a more progressive, responsive, innovative, and effective Law Enforcement agency. I believe Jessica Heger possesses the experience, integrity, independence, vision, and leadership abilities necessary to lead the Carver County Sheriff’s Office well into the future. Her fresh perspective, broad Law Enforcement background, investigative experience, and commitment to innovation make her exceptionally well qualified, above all other candidates; to serve as the next Carver County Sheriff.
The citizens of Carver County have a unique opportunity to choose new leadership and a new direction. I hope they will seize that opportunity and join me in supporting:
But ONLY If They Enforce The Law EQUALLY and FAIRLY !!!
2024 MINNESOTA STATUTES
609.43 - MISCONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE.
A public officer or employee who does any of the following, for which no other sentence is specifically provided by law, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than
364 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000 or both:
(1) intentionally failsorrefuses to perform a known mandatory,nondiscretionary, ministerial dutyof the office or employment within the time or in the manner required by law; or
(2) in the capacity of such officer or employee, does an act knowing it is in_excess of lawful authority or knowing it is forbidden by law to be done in that capacity; or
(3) under pretense or color of official authority intentionally & unlawfully injures another in the other's person, property,or rights; or
(4) in the capacity of such officer or employee, makes a return, certificate, official report, or other like document having knowledge it is false in
any material respect.
Current CARVER COUNTY SHERIFF JASON KAMERUD NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED, NOR DID HE RESPOND TO, my formal request for
PUBLIC INFORMATION shown above, regarding the 'COVER-UP'
of LYING, DISHONESTY, DECEPTION, DISCEIT, MISCONDUCT and
CORRUPTION INVOLVING HAMBURG CITY OFFICIALS as well as
OTHER CARVER COUNTY and STATE OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC OFFICIALS !!
By DOING NOTHING upon receiving my FORMAL REPORT of UNLAWFUL CONDUCT
by his 'fellow' PUBLIC OFFICIALS, SHERIFF KAMERUD not only INTENTIONALLY
VIOLATED MINNESOTA STATUTE 609.43 - MISCONDUCT OF A
