Traverse County Sheriff's Office

06/11/2026

The Traverse County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to inform the public that Ben Yankton, parole absconder, has been successfully and safely taken into custody in Browns Valley, MN.

​An operation of this scale requires tremendous teamwork. We want to extend our sincere appreciation to the United States Marshals Service, Roberts County Sheriff’s Office, and Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Police for their invaluable tactical assistance and seamless cross-border collaboration that ensured a safe conclusion to this search.

​To Our Community Members:
We want to give a massive thank you to the residents of Traverse County and the surrounding areas. The tips, vigilant eyes, and crucial information provided by members of our community directly aided law enforcement in tracking down and apprehending Yankton. When law enforcement and the community work hand-in-hand, our neighborhoods stay safe.

​Yankton is currently in custody and facing formal processing. Thank you all for your patience, cooperation, and dedication to keeping Traverse County a safe place to live and work.

05/27/2026

The owner has been located!!

This dog was found in Wheaton. Please help us find the owner! Call 320.422.7800.

05/22/2026

During the overnight and early morning hours, the Traverse County Sheriff’s Office was notified of individuals breaking into, or attempting to break into, vehicles and property within the City of Browns Valley.

​We are aware that videos of some of these incidents have been circulating online. Thanks to the quick thinking and swift action of our community, our deputies were able to locate and apprehend two individuals involved. Both suspects are currently in custody.

​We want to extend a huge thank you to our community members. The rapid notifications and valuable information you provided to our office were instrumental in making these quick arrests. This is a prime example of neighbors looking out for neighbors!

Although these suspects are in custody, please remember to lock your vehicles and secure your property.

​If you see something, say something. If you notice any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, please notify our office as soon as possible at 320-422-7800 or dial 911 for emergencies.

05/17/2026

Owner has been located!

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We have this sweet boy at the Sheriff's Office. He was found in Wheaton. If you know who he belongs to, please reach out!

05/15/2026

We are incredibly proud to share a story of dedication, intuition, and life-saving teamwork!

Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. (ACH) was honored to present the Heroic Intervention Award to three outstanding professionals at the Traverse County Jail:

Correctional Officer Stephanie Hruska

Correctional Officer Peggy Kuschel

Jail Administrator Blayne Olson

The Story
On April 13th, what began as a routine check quickly escalated. Officer Hruska noticed an individual in clear medical distress. Recognizing the warning signs of a serious emergency, she and Officer Kuschel immediately stepped in to provide close monitoring and care.

Despite the individual’s resistance to medical help and his declining condition—marked by weakness and dangerously high blood pressure—our team refused to step back. They stayed by his side, advocated for his health, and remained patient and persistent.

Jail Administrator Blayne Olson joined the effort, reinforcing the urgency of the situation. Thanks to their combined persistence, the individual eventually agreed to go to the emergency room. Shortly after arriving, he suffered a seizure.

Why It Matters
Because these three professionals trusted their training and refused to give up, a potential tragedy was avoided. Their ability to recognize the severity of the situation and advocate for someone in their care—even when met with resistance—is the definition of heroism.

"As lifesavers, you have shown dedication, commitment, and integrity."

Please join us in thanking Stephanie, Peggy, and Blayne for their incredible service to Traverse County Sheriff's Office!

05/04/2026

04/22/2026

Today we celebrate Administrative Assistant Day and recognize someone who truly keeps everything running smoothly at the Traverse County Sheriff’s Office — Janessa Miller.

Janessa is an incredible asset to our team and the ultimate glue that holds all of our departments together. With her wealth of knowledge and skills, it’s no surprise that so many of us turn to her for guidance and support every day.

Her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to this office do not go unnoticed.

Thank you, Janessa, for everything you do!

P.S. Can anyone guess her hobbies?

P.S.S Enjoy your Sturgeon Fishing vacation. I showed up your first catch of the day!!

04/16/2026

This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Please take a moment to show your appreciation.

​Our dispatchers are the heartbeat of emergency services. They are the first, first responders—the calm voice in the dark when someone is having their worst day.

​What They Do for Us

​While most of the community is sleeping, our telecommunicators are wide awake, managing a high-stakes symphony of information. They:

• ​Coordinate Life-Saving Responses: They bridge the gap between a 911 call and the arrival of deputies, fire, or EMS.
• ​Provide Vital Instructions: From performing over-the-phone CPR to guiding someone through a crisis, they provide the instructions that save lives before help even arrives.
• ​Guard Our Responders: They are the lifeline for our officers and medics, ensuring they have the backup they need to stay safe.

​The Sacrifice Behind the Scenes

​Protecting Traverse County comes at a personal cost. To keep our community safe 24/7/365, these dedicated professionals frequently give up:

• ​Holidays & Birthdays: They work while the rest of us celebrate, missing dinners and milestones with their own families.
• ​Sleep & Stability: Long shifts and rotating schedules are the norm to ensure a call never goes unanswered.
• ​Peace of Mind: They carry the weight of every traumatic call they take, often without ever knowing the final outcome of the situation.

​Join us in saying Thank You to the men and women behind the console at Traverse County Dispatch: We see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you. You are the calm within the storm, and our community is safer because of your dedication.

04/07/2026

Update!!!
The owner has been located!

This dog was found near Casey's in Wheaton. Please help us find the owner! Call 320-422-7800.

02/13/2026

Update!!

The owner has been located!

We were just notified that a Chocolate Lab with an orange collar was picked up on Highway 27 just outside of Browns Valley. If you know who this dog belongs to, please contact the Traverse County Sheriff's Office at 320-422-7800. We will update with a photo, if possible.