Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt.

It’s been a couple months since I’ve written one of these, and I appreciate everyone’s patience. Things have been busy, and while that’s not an excuse, I know how important it is to stay in touch with the people we serve. When I took office, I said I would keep the public in the loop, and I meant that. So here’s a quick update on what’s been going on.

We recently crossed 10,000 followers on our Facebook page, which is pretty incredible for a county our size. That kind of reach helps us push out information quickly and keeps folks connected. I also want to touch on something that comes up from time to time, and that’s how we handle comments. We believe strongly in the First Amendment. People have the right to speak up, question us, and even criticize what we do. That is part of what makes this country work. We do not delete comments just because someone disagrees with us. But when comments cross the line into threats, hate speech, or personal attacks, we will remove them. That is not censorship. It is about keeping our page a safe and respectful space for everyone who follows it.

I have also always believed in the importance of press releases. When something happens that affects the community, I want people to hear it from us directly. But I also need folks to understand that not everything can be released. Sometimes it is just not the right time, especially when it involves an ongoing case or someone’s safety. We will continue to share what we can, when we can. Being transparent does not mean telling everything. It means telling the truth and doing it responsibly.

Our UTV is now fully marked and equipped with emergency lights. It was recently put to work towing the giant corn cob float at the Gladbrook Corn Carnival Parade. It is ready for field use and will be a valuable tool for all kinds of situations moving forward.

Another big change is the move to the West Annex. Patrol, detectives, and the chief deputy are now working out of that space, and it has already made a big difference. We finally have some breathing room. Communication is better, and there is space for people to do their jobs without stepping over each other. What I am especially proud of is that we are getting a real interview room, something we have never really had. Up until now, we were using a converted storage room. This new space will give victims, witnesses, and others a quiet, safe place to talk. It is a small but important step toward doing things the right way.

I also want to be honest with you. When I came into this job, I had a long list of goals. Some of them got done faster than expected. Others are going to take longer, and that is just the way it goes. Plans shift. Priorities move around. But the mindset stays the same. We keep moving forward. We show up. We keep working toward what is next.

The Karina Cooper trial is still on a lot of people’s minds. I will not go over all the details again. The Cooper family got answers. Everyone had to sit through a lot of painful truth. This affected more than just a handful of people. It hit our whole community. There were no winners. But through it all, people showed up. Families stayed strong. And the people doing the work behind the scenes did not stop. That is what justice looks like. It is not always clean. It is not easy. But it matters.

We will keep showing up. We will keep improving. And no matter what comes next, we will keep moving forward. If you ever have a question, concern, or just want to talk, my door is open. Thank you for trusting us.

Until next time!

Casey Schmidt (R-Dysart) is Sheriff of Tama County, Iowa. He took office in 2025.