Stearns County Sheriff's Office

06/08/2026

Please join us in congratulating Investigator Chad Meemken on being selected as Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence (L.E.A.D) Minnesota Instructor of the Year! Investigator Meemken has been a critical part of our School Resource Officer team instructing youth in Holdingford Public Schools and Albany Area Schools. This award reflects Investigator Meemken’s commitment to serving our communities with excellence, his ability to build law enforcement/citizen relationships that will last for years and recognizes his dedication to mentoring youth.

Stepping into classrooms across the Holdingford and Albany Area school districts to mentor youth and build real, lasting relationships takes an incredible amount of dedication. School Resource Officers have a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community, and this recognition proves Investigator Meemken has done exactly that!

L.E.A.D trains law enforcement officers to teach an evidence-based prevention curriculum anywhere youth gather for educational activities, empowering them to make a real, lasting, positive impact in the lives of youth.

The impact of a great mentor can last a lifetime. Thank you, Investigator Meemken, for your commitment to keeping our communities safe and guiding the next generation. This honor is incredibly well-deserved!

06/07/2026

This pup was located near County Road 43 and Long Lake Road in Eden Lake Township. It appears to be a Basset Hound mix and has a blue collar. If you are or know the owner, contact the sheriff's office at 320-251-4240. It will be brought to Tri County Human Society in the morning if unclaimed.

06/05/2026

It’s never too late to celebrate National Donut Day!
Grab your favorite flavor and join in on the celebration.
Any day with a donut is a good day!

06/05/2026

Exciting news is on the way!

Our Sheriff’s Office will soon be launching a brand‑new mobile app designed to keep our community more informed and connected than ever.

With this free app, you’ll be able to:
• Access helpful resources and safety information
• Submit tips quickly and securely
• Stay updated on community news and events
• Connect with the Sheriff’s Office right from your phone

We’re committed to transparency, accessibility, and keeping residents safe—and this new tool helps us do exactly that.
Stay tuned for the official release date and download links. We’re looking forward to sharing it with you!

06/05/2026

Special Olympics Minnesota is celebrating nine Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Champion Agencies in 2026, an honor recognizing law enforcement agencies that go above and beyond to support Special Olympics and proudly carry the “Flame of Hope.” This prestigious designation is awarded annually to...

06/05/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Gun Permit applications will not be accepted in Melrose today, Friday, June 5th.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

06/04/2026

🚓🚒🚑 Public Safety in the Park!
Join us June 29th from 6–9 PM at Willow Creek Park in Kimball for a fun, family‑friendly night with your local law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS teams.

Come say hi, explore the vehicles, and connect with the people who keep our community safe.

06/03/2026

Due to the Cold Spring Administration and Police Department relocating to a new office space, we will not be accepting gun permit applications on Tuesday, June 9th.

We appreciate your patience and understanding!

06/03/2026

Our office is excited to announce the launch of a new jail program focused specifically on substance addiction and abuse. This initiative is funded through the Stearns County Opioid Settlement Funds.

“We are excited to train our staff in the delivery of this new program that will help our inmate population become healthier, think better, and make better choices for themselves. By doing so, they will gain skills that help them once released and, over time, reduce the chances that they return to a correctional setting,” said Sheriff Soyka.

The Solution Program is a 12 week reentry and entrepreneurship training program designed for individuals in jails, detention centers, and communities impacted by addiction, incarceration, and destructive thinking patterns.

“We teach emotional intelligence, recovery principles, personal responsibility, and felony friendly business skills so people can rebuild their lives with a real plan. This isn’t theory. It’s built from lived experience, law enforcement partnership, and real work inside facilities. The goal is simple: reduce recidivism, restore families, and help people become productive, accountable members of their community.”

For more information about the program, please visit:
TheSolutionProgram.com

06/02/2026

News Release- Crash with Injuries

News Release- Crash with Injuries Stearns County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 06/02/2026 11:10 AM CDT Sheriff's Office Updates & Alerts - Stearns County, MinnesotaView in browser: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/STEARNS/bulletins/41a13a8 320-251-4240 Crash with Injuries On May 30, 2026,...