Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt.

This past year as Sheriff has been challenging, eye opening, and rewarding. Overall, I truly love being Sheriff.

A portion of the year was spent preparing for and handling a full murder trial, while also preparing for a second. What many people do not see is how much work happens long before a trial ever starts. There is planning, coordination, and preparation that takes place well in advance. For an office our size, cases like this take a tremendous amount of time and energy. When a guilty verdict is read or a guilty plea is accepted, that is the justice we work toward and what keeps us doing this job. Those outcomes bring accountability, but they will never erase the pain caused to the victims and their families.

I also want to be clear that any success I have had this year is because this office is full of employees who make my job much easier than I deserve. Our deputies, jailers, and staff show up every day, do the work, and care about this county. Their professionalism and work ethic are what make this office run, and I am proud to work alongside them.

This year taught me there is a big difference between talking about change and being responsible for making it happen. As a deputy, it was easy to point out what needed improvement. As a candidate, it was easy to talk about goals and vision. Sitting in the Sheriff’s chair brings clarity. My vision has not changed. My goals have not changed. What has changed is my understanding of how long real change can take. Doing things the right way takes time, especially in a small county.

It has also been very busy. There were times this year where it felt like everything was coming at once and I was running nonstop, almost like a chicken with my head cut off. That comes with stepping into a new role and learning it in real time. The pace is fast, the days are full, and the responsibility is real.

We also spent a lot of time this year working on internal processes. That work is not always visible, but it matters. Improving how we operate day to day has helped with efficiency, accountability, and consistency across the Sheriff’s Office. It allows our deputies and jailers to do their jobs better and more effectively. We have also worked more closely with the County Attorney’s Office to make sure our cases are solid and our work holds up in court.

One of the biggest frustrations for me this year has been seeing how often smaller counties are overlooked. Resources and support do not always come easily, and that should never change what the people of Tama County deserve. Every resident deserves the same level of service and professionalism as anyone in a larger county. The size of our county should never lower the standard. There have been times when services or companies that could help our work have overlooked us simply because we are not a high volume county, and that is frustrating.

Because of the focus on getting the office where it needs to be internally, I spent more time behind the scenes and less time out in the community than I would have liked. That work was necessary. At the same time, being present matters to me. Talking with people, listening, and showing up matters, and that will be a bigger focus moving forward.

I also want to be clear about communication. Some may feel Tama County has been in the news more this past year. I am comfortable being visible and available. I believe sharing accurate information and answering questions is part of my responsibility as Sheriff.

When facts are shared openly, trust is built. When leaders stay silent, confusion and speculation take over. I believe the public is best served by hearing directly from their Sheriff’s Office.

During the campaign, I laid out three priorities for my first term.

1-Improving our jail and Sheriff’s Office facilities.

2-Creating youth programs and having a presence in our schools.

3-Holding regular community meetings and town halls.

Those priorities have not changed. I also said Tama County needs a Sheriff who will advocate for its citizens, lead with humility, defend the rights of citizens, and engage with the community. That is how I have approached this job from day one, and that will not change.

There were times this year where the learning curve was steep. That comes with leadership. The difference now is experience and focus. This next year will be about being more intentional with my time and continuing to move the office forward.

One issue I will continue to push hard on is pay for our deputies and jailers. We are a busy, professional, twenty four seven, three hundred sixty five day a year agency. Our people handle difficult calls every day. Recruitment and retention matter. Taking care of the people who protect this county is taking care of public safety.

I am proud of the work we have done this past year. I am honest about the work still ahead. I love this job, and I am committed to moving Tama County forward while protecting the quality of life that makes this county what it is.

Thank you for trusting me to serve as your Sheriff. It is a responsibility I take seriously.

Casey Schmidt, a Republican from Dysart, is the sheriff of Tama County.