Category Oak Park Heights Show all
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Shout Out: Sergeant Sprague
By Officer Nedeau
On April 16th, OPH experienced a power outage and Sgt. Sprague stepped up to the plate.
Sgt. Sprague was able to demonstrate a high level of professionalism, a great deal of attention to detail, and was able to maintain a cool and calm demeanor while running Master Control. She answered an unwavering amount of phone calls while training newer staff, she directed current staff to procedural duties while under the emergency ICS activation, she completed log-in information for all the downed computers in Master Control, and tended to many alarms and notifications sounding within the control panels inside the control base.
Thank you for showing such dedication and leadership during such a stressful situation at Oak Park Heights.
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3rd Annual Joe Gomm Memorial "Whatever" Golf Tournament
By Shelbi Groath
What: 9-Hole, Shotgun Start, “Best Ball” gameplay.
When: Saturday, June 8th, 2024 0830 Tee Time
Where: Applewood Hills Public Golf Course – 11840 60th St N, Stillwater 55082
What Else: The entry fee is $200.00 per team. This includes the playing fee, 2 golf carts, and 4 entries for door prizes (1 per player). Food will be available for purchase (burgers/brats) following the tournament. The tournament winners will have their names emblazoned on the traveling plaque and receive bragging rights for the year!
Why: The tournament was started in 2022 in honor of Officer Joe Gomm, EOW 7/18/18. All proceeds benefit the Stillwater Correctional Peace Officer Foundation Committee. CPOF is a nation-wide nonprofit that provides financial assistance to Correctional Staff and their families during emergency situations.
Who: YOU! All abilities welcome! Pick up registration forms from Officer Sarah Thurston sarah.thurston@state.mn.us or Shelbi Groath Shelbi.groath@state.mn.us. Want to volunteer? Have a small business who wants to sponsor a hole? Contact us at the above emails.
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Shout Out: Oak Park Heights Visiting Ofc. Oswald and Ofc. Johnson
By Melissa Schwartz
A visitor left a message with Central Office complimenting OPH visiting Ofc. Oswald and Ofc. Johnson. They went above and beyond in assisting this visitor with a non-contact visit. She commended their positive attitude and making her feel welcomed to the facility. She appreciated the great job they're doing and hope there are more staff like them.
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Corrections Peace Officer Foundation (CPOF) Recognition: Sgt. Sonia Cobb
By WOOC Lieutenant Joe Witter
Every year in mid-June, the Corrections Peace Officer Foundation (CPOF) holds an event called PROJECT 2000 and this year is their 35th Anniversary. The event will be held June 13 thru June 16 in Seattle, Washington. The CPOF organization selects a few people who were survivors of assaults in the line of duty to be honored at their annual banquet. They select these staff from corrections staff all over the country.
I was contacted by the CPOF regarding Sonia's assault and her recovery a few weeks ago. At that time I told CPOF Rep. Jazmin Wheelock that there was no one more deserving of this recognition and she would be so happy to be selected.
Sgt. Sonia Cobb was chosen out of many deserving Officers to be honored at PROJECT 2000 XXXV. It was a great privilege to be able to present Sgt. Sonia Cobb with this news. The CPOF will fly Sonia and one guest of her choice (she wants Will Smith but her husband will fill in) out to attend the conference. The CPOF pays for all expenses.
Sonia will be recognized for her dedication, her courage, and her resiliency for surviving a life-altering assault. We hope Sgt. Sonia Cobb has a great time in Seattle while representing Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service Sgt. Cobb.
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2024 Joe Parise Bowling Tournament Held
By Tina M. Payton
OPH hosted their annual Joe Parise Bowling Tournament on Feb 23, 2024 at Stillwater Bowl. We had an amazing turn out with a total of 14 teams of 60+ bowlers from OPH, STW and Central Office. This has surpassed any other year since we had our first annual event back in 2016.
The honorary first bowl came from Sgt. Amy Winkel who retired at OPH recently and served four years in the Air Force. Back on the leaderboard is Team Unbowlievables: Todd Anderson, Dan Minke, Max Kuhn, Don Thibodeau, Derek Schultz. Congrats on your great game!! Grand prize was $150 and they were gracious enough to donate it back into the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon here at OPH.
High score winners came from Bridget Hopkins and Max Kuhn (family and friends of OPH staff). Low score winners came from Amy Winkel (Retired Sgt.) and Jose Mendez (Minncor). Great job on being gracious and humble winners!
Thank you for the veterans that came, we appreciate your service. For all those that participated and stopped by to show their support. Thank you to the BTYR OPH committee for setting up this event: TDS Tina Payton, Capt. Bronson Austreng, Physical Plant Brent Sharon, and CM Dani Kimmes.
OPH Parise Honor Guard 
DOC Veterans 
Winning Team The Unbowlievables -
Oak Park Heights Hosts Annual Joe Parise Bowling Classic
By Tina Payton
OPH is hosting their annual Joe Parise Classic at Stillwater Bowl on Feb. 23rd at 1600.
- Cost is $30 and includes two games, shoes, and a pizza buffet.
- Cost is $10 if you'd like to attend and enjoy the pizza buffet but choose not to bowl.
- Open this form to register.
- Deadline to register will be Feb, 16th.
- Please contact Tina.M.Payton if you have any questions.
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SOG Training Held at Oak Park Heights' Simulator Training Lab
Members of the Special Operations Group practiced de-escalation techniques and room clearing skills in the Simulator Training Lab during their monthly training on January 10th.
According to Training Coordinator Jay S. Olson, “the use of reality-based training is an evidenced-based model which provides the student with a realistic learning environment of critical situations that are difficult to safely replicate in our traditional training."
OSI Director John Melvin commented that “the dedication of our ERT members is truly remarkable. Their commitment and professionalism are vital to the safety and security of all DOC facilities."
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Shout Out for Oak Park Heights' Koehnen
TDS 2 Tina Payton sent in this Shout Out for Nicholas Koehnen from academy wrap-up. Here's what they had to say:
Shout out to CO2 Nick Koehnen. He was highly praised during their recent academy wrap-up with the executive team. They felt that Officer Koehnen was great at helping and teaching them during their on-the-job-training. Great job Nick!!
And thank you for submitting this, Tina!
If you'd like to submit a Shout Out for a DOC officer, agent or staff, send it to Rosie at rose.widell@state.mn.us.
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Welcome to Oak Park Heights Academy #183
By Sherlinda Wheeler
Please welcome Academy #183!
(L-R) Officer Michael Koepke, Registered Nurse Amy Kummer and Officer Alexzandra Peterson -
Congratulations on Oak Park Heights Sgt. F. McGraw's Promotion
By Lt. Jessica Fergen
Congratulations to Officer Francis McGraw on his promotion to Sergeant in Complex2/Canteen on 3rd Watch!
Officer McGraw began his career with the DOC in 2017 here at OPH. He is currently a WOOC Sergeant in Complex 3 on 3rd Watch. During his time at OPH he has become an FTO, K-9 Decoy, and a member of the SORT Team.
Officer McGraw holds a BA in Criminal Justice and has a background working with at risk youth.
