Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt (R-Dysart), left, takes the oath of office on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at the Tama County Courthouse under the watchful gaze of since-retired K9 Deputy Tyson. Tama County Attorney Brent Heeren, right, is also pictured administering the oath. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

As your newly elected Sheriff, I wanted to take a moment to update you on what’s been happening since I took office on January 2. It’s been a busy few weeks, but I’m excited about the progress we’re making.

Getting settled into the Sheriff role has kept me on my toes, but I’m enjoying the process. Last week, we held our first deputy meeting, which provided a great opportunity to come together and discuss our goals. It’s essential that we work together to identify ways we can be more effective and efficient in our operations. I truly appreciate and am humbled by the dedication and input from our deputies, and I’m confident that our teamwork will lead to positive outcomes.

I’m also looking forward to our upcoming jailer meeting, where we’ll connect and discuss key topics related to our office and jail. These meetings are not just about information sharing; they’re also focused on exploring improvements and new strategies as needed. One of my personal goals in the coming months is to better understand the processes within the sheriff’s office, and I look forward to developing new approaches as opportunities arise. Additionally, we’re planning a whole office meeting soon to ensure we maintain open lines of communication throughout the office.

On a personal note, I want to share that I recently retired my K9 partner, Tyson. We’ve found a new handler for our K9 unit, which has always received generous support from our Tama County community. I’m grateful for the ongoing donations that help sustain the K9 program, especially since it currently relies on donations.

I also had the pleasure of participating in this year’s Tama County Pork Producers banquet, where I entered the pie contest and was thrilled to win first place in the men’s division! It was a wonderful event that raised money for a great cause, and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to contribute. The Pork Producers have been incredibly supportive of the sheriff’s office over the years, particularly in helping our canine unit.

I’d like to take a moment to thank Karen Rohrs, our Tama County Auditor, and her staff. The Tama County Auditor’s Office has been incredibly helpful in guiding me through the ins and outs of the sheriff’s office budget. Karen’s knowledge has made a world of difference as I navigate my budget, and Tama County is truly lucky to have an auditor as dedicated and skilled as she is.

Lastly, I want to give a shout-out to Kira Doyle, our office administrative assistant. Kira has been a tremendous help as I’ve gotten started and tackled the budget. With her long experience at the sheriff’s office, she knows the ropes, and I truly appreciate her support.

Overall, I’m very optimistic about the future. The hard work we put in over the next couple of months will pay off in the long run, and I have no doubt about that. I’m thankful for the solid team I’ve inherited. With a dedicated sheriff’s office and the support of our community, I know we can and will make a positive impact in Tama County. Thank you for your trust and support as we move forward together!

Casey Schmidt is Sheriff of Tama County, Iowa. He took office in 2025.