Hello, I am Casey Schmidt. I was born in Des Moines, Iowa, where I lived for the first two years of my life. I then moved to Plymouth, Minnesota, which is where I spent the majority of my childhood. Before starting high school, my family relocated to Libertyville, Illinois, where I graduated high school and where my parents still live today. After high school, I went on to attend college at Iowa State University. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Criminal Justice and Criminology).

I didn’t grow up in Tama County, but my connections here run deep. My grandparents, Patricia and Virgil Schmidt, lived in Traer for many years. I have fond memories of visiting them and spending time in Traer each summer. Many of my extended family live in Tama County to this day.

After college, I met my wife, Cady, on a blind date. A little over a year later, we were married and I began my first job in Tama County with the Meskwaki Nation Settlement Tribal Police. After two years on the police force, I was granted the opportunity to start a probation program on the Settlement. Working alongside the Tribal Police Department and the Tribal Council, I developed the program and got it off the ground. The program is still functioning successfully today.

During this time, I also served as a part-time reserve Deputy for the Tama County Sheriff’s Office. Working alongside the Sheriff, deputies, jail personnel, and other County Employees, I developed a passion for the community and the Tama County Sheriff’s Office. In September of 2013, I left the Meskwaki Nation Settlement Probation Program to join the Sheriff’s Office full time as a patrol deputy.

In 2018, I was chosen by the Sheriff to serve as the county’s only K-9 Deputy. After ten weeks of training in Minnesota, K-9 Tyson joined the Sheriff’s Office and our family. He has been a loyal partner to me and a well-loved pet for my children. Together, K-9 Tyson and I have performed multiple vehicle searches, school searches and narcotics search warrants. Serving as a K-9 handler has provided me with the opportunity to work alongside many other agencies throughout the state. We have competed in and successfully completed trials and certifications with USPCA Region 21 where we were tested in narcotics searches, apprehension, agility, and patrol skills.

My passion for my career runs deep, but my faith, along with my love for my wife and children are what motivates me each day. As a father, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of my children.