Within the early hours of Monday morning, a small crowd of people gathered inside the Mower County Justice Center to witness the swearing-in of several county leaders, including the next Mower County sheriff.

There was laughter and smiles as Judge Jeffrey Kritzer conducted the morning’s ceremonies that indicated a change in Mower County leadership. County Commissioners Jerry Reinartz and Mike Ankeny returned to their positions on the Mower County Board, while newcomer Jeff Baldus was sworn in as a new commissioner of District 4.

Also installed into office were newly-elected auditor-treasurer Scott Felten and Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen.

As the morning progressed, eyes turned toward the changing of leadership for the Mower County Sheriff’s Office. For 16 years, Sheriff Terese Amazi served as a protector of the residents in the area. Her retirement brings to a close an over three-decade career in law enforcement. On Monday, she handed her badge to her successor, former Senior Sgt. Investigator Steve Sandvik.

It was a moment that Amazi had been ready for since her decision to not seek re-election and to retire from her extensive law enforcement career.

“He’ll do just fine,” she said of Sandvik. “He’s a smart man, and he’ll get through it. He’ll do a fantastic job.”

With his hand up in the air, Sandvik repeated his oath to protect the citizens of Mower County and serve them to the best of his ability. After the swearing-in ceremony ended, there was a new sheriff in town.

“I’m excited and looking forward to picking up Terese’s legacy and moving our team forward,” Sandvik said. “I’m really looking forward to working with our team and agencies. It’s really one team, one fight, in coordinating and keeping everything moving forward as we continue to do the good work that the Mower County Sheriff’s Office has done so far.”

Sandvik has 22 years of experience in law enforcement and has been with the Mower County Sheriff’s Office for more than 17 years. He is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the multidisciplinary child and vulnerable adult protection teams, and the SE MN Violent Crimes Drug and Gang Task Force.

However, Sandvik looks most forward to building the next generation of individuals looking to work in criminal justice and being able to mentor students who are looking to navigate their way in making places like Mower County a better place to live.

“I wanted to thank everyone for participating in the elections and for those who supported me,” Sandvik said. “Other residents, I ask that we work together. My door is always open and I am here to serve you. I’m thankful to serve in this role and help our  county move forward.”

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