Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt.

I know I have said this before, but I want to say it again. My goal has always been to do an “On the Record” each month, but important work continues to take priority. The days are full, and that is a great thing because it means progress is being made. Between projects, cases, and the daily responsibilities that come with running a sheriff’s office, we are staying focused on what matters most, serving the people of Tama County.

There are a few things I want to talk about this month.

First, I want to take a moment to recognize Chief Deputy Joe Quandt. I have said it before, but I cannot say it enough. Joe is a huge part in keeping this office running smoothly every single day. He has taken on the rollout of our new body camera and dash camera system, which has been a big project, but that is only a small part of what makes him such a huge asset to this county. What stands out most is who he is, what he believes in, and how much he cares about making this office the best it can be. He puts in the hours when nobody is watching. He takes pride in his work and in this county, and that shows in everything he does. Joe is a true professional and a person I am thankful to work alongside. Tama County is lucky to have him.

Another thing that has been on my mind lately is how some companies that work with counties seem to overlook Tama County. There have been quotes and requests I have made to improve services within the sheriff’s office so we can better serve the people of Tama County, and too often those efforts have fallen on deaf ears. That is a serious problem. It feels at times like we are forgotten or treated as less important than larger counties, and that really bothers me. Tama County deserves the same level of service, support, and quality as any other county in this state. Our residents pay their taxes and work just as hard as anyone else, and I will always fight to make sure we receive the same respect and attention as the larger counties.

It is bittersweet to say the trials are finally behind us. The two people responsible for the murder of Ryan Cooper have now both been held fully accountable, one by a guilty plea to murder in the first degree and the other by a jury verdict of guilty for murder in the first degree. This county has carried a heavy burden through it all, and while most people will never realize the amount of time, effort, and resources that go into seeing a case like this through, that is not what matters most. What matters is why we do it. Justice was served for the murder of Ryan Cooper, and that is what this is all about. Every long day and every difficult moment leads to doing what is right for the victim and their family. Ryan deserves to be remembered for the life he lived, and our focus now should be on honoring that.

Over the last nine months I have also learned just how powerful social media can be. It can be one of the most dangerous tools out there, but also one of the most beneficial. It allows us to be transparent, to share information quickly, and to keep our citizens informed. But it also comes with responsibility. Not everything that gets posted online is true, and there is real danger in believing the first thing you see. That is why it is so important for law enforcement to provide accurate, verified information, not rumor or assumption. Our goal is to make sure people hear the truth, not just noise.

Another thing that has really tested my patience lately is the growing number of scams we have been seeing, especially the recent asphalt scam that has hit Tama County and other parts of Iowa. I have absolutely no patience or sympathy for people who prey on others, especially the elderly. These scammers go door to door with smooth talk and fake contracts, taking advantage of good people just trying to do the right thing. I have said it before and I will say it again, I absolutely detest scammers. If it were up to me, they would spend the rest of their lives in prison thinking about every dollar they stole and every person they hurt. I take these crimes personally because they target the most trusting members of our community, and we will do everything we can to hold them accountable.

I also had the pleasure of working the North Tama homecoming and spending time with the kids. It was a great night and a reminder of how strong and close our communities are. I even had the chance to take a few photos with North Tama Principal Taylor Howard that many of you have probably seen by now. We tried to recreate the iconic Step Brothers portrait, and I am sure those photos will be on display for a long time to come. It was all in good fun and a good reminder of how lucky we are to live and serve in a place like Tama County.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone for the continued support these past nine months. It is hard to believe how fast time has gone since I took office. Transparency has always been a priority for me, and I appreciate that so many people value that. Getting information out quickly, keeping people informed, and being upfront about what is going on are things I take seriously.

I am surrounded by a team of good people who care deeply about this county. Our deputies, jailers, and office staff show up every day ready to work, no matter what the day brings. They take pride in what they do and in serving the people of Tama County. I could not ask for a better group to work with, and I am proud of what we continue to built together.

Thank you all for your trust and support.