by Dennis Dalman
At the Dec. 11 city council meeting, Police Chief Brandon Silgjord thanked Sartell and its people for giving him and his family such a warm welcome when he was hired six months ago.
Silgjord, an officer from St. Louis County in northeast Minnesota, was named to lead the department after the former police chief, Jim Hughes, retired.
Silgjord said he has never experienced such tremendous support in his years of law enforcement.
“I’ve never seen such support in my entire life,” he said.
He thanked the police-department personnel, the city residents, the city staff and the council.
He gave high praise to Captain Kelly Mader and Deputy Chief Wayne Schreiner for their help and guidance during the transition period.
“You,” he told the council members, “have reached out to me personally, making myself and my family feel welcome here.”
He also singled out Sartell City Administrator Anna Gruber for her energy in encouraging him to keep moving forward.
