Michael Allen Witter was sworn in as the newest Mower County deputy on Thursday at the Mower County Law Enforcement Center. Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi issued the oath.

“I spent five years working at Gerard Academy and that’s what inspired me to get into law enforcement,” Witter said. “I enjoyed working with the youth.”

Prior to joining the Mower County Sheriff’s Office, Witter spent seven months with the Minnesota State Patrol and 2 ½ years as a jailer at the Mower County Jail. He said he will most likely begin his time with the Sheriff’s Office being stationed in LeRoy.

“It’s important to build relationships with the community and I look forward to building those relationships,” he said.

The addition of Witter raises the total number of Mower County deputies to 23.