Former Minnesota DOC Deputy Commissioner, Richard Mulcrone, recently passed away. The full obituary is copied below. Livestream recording of the service is available on the McNearney-Schmidt Facebook page.

Richard T. "Dick" Mulcrone, age 89, of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal life on Monday, May 29, 2023, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.

Dick was born in St. Paul, MN, on May 23, 1934, the son of Emmett and Gertrude (McCauley) Mulcrone. His father and grandfather were fire chief for Saint Paul. He grew up on Stanford and went to Central. He attended St. Thomas.

Dick proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War, stationed at Myrtle Beach SC. He remarked how successful his service was in that Myrtle Beach was never attacked. He met Anne Carlin in St. Paul through friends when he had returned from the Army. They had 65 years together and six children. Of all that he accomplished in his life, he was most proud of his family.

He worked for Saint Paul Police Park Division as a roving gang worker. He loved working with youth and was active in the Catholic Athletic Association. He distinguished himself as a referee and umpire. Dick continued refereeing and umpiring for 25 years for extra money for the family. He was speaking at a Catholic Athletic Association fundraiser when Judge Connolly of Scott County invited him to come and be the first Probation Officer in Scott and Carver counties. That was the beginning of Court Services in both those counties. Dick also was instrumental in the beginning of the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers and helped to build the fraternity in the industry. Dick was appointed to Chair the first Minnesota Parole Board under then Governor Wendy Anderson in about 1973. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed Dick to the United States Parole Board. There was great excitement over his Senate confirmation and swearing-in outside the Oval Office by his friend Vice President Walter Mondale. He moved the family to Kansas City, Missouri at that time.

When Dick returned to Minnesota, his long time friend at Control Data, Norb Berg hired him to oversee Security and Fleet at Control Data. Dick and Norb's friendship went back many years as Norb was a believer in second chances and rehabilitation and education within the corrections institutions. During Dick's time at Control Data, President Gorbachev decided to visit Minnesota and Control Data. So Dick ended up working with the FBI and KGB on security. Dick returned to the Minnesota DOC as Deputy Commissioner. His area included inspection and certification of all institutions. After his time at DOC, Dick was invited by his friend Gary Shelton to join Midwest Monitoring as a consultant which he did for many years.

Dick always taught that a respectful conversation is the key to resolving differences. Dick was gentlemanly, empathetic, and wise. His deep Catholic faith shaped and guided his life, he volunteered as an usher at Church of St. Mary for many years. Dick's favorite pastimes included golfing, watching baseball and football. He took pride in taking care of his wife and family, and enjoyed Sunday family dinners. Dick was a strong leader and his wise counsel was sought out by many. He cared about people and relationships were very important to him.

Survived by wife, Anne; children, Timothy (Ginger), Dave (Diane), Susie (Kevin), Dean, Vaughn (Bridgette), and Perry (Susie); grandchildren, Troy (Laura), Bryna (Nico), Trent (Marina), Emily (Andre), Maggie (Eric), Sam (Kendra), Kaitlyn, Carter, Trevor (Alex), Ben, Elizabeth, Katie (Josh), Kelly, Elliott, Lourdes; great-grandchildren, Tristan (Katelynn), Marissa (Connor), Ignatius, Marie, Stan, Andrew, Leo, Katie, Njeru, Kwera, Shyah; great-great-grandchildren, Rose and Heather; many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Gertrude; brothers, Charles (Anna), Emmett (Dorothy); sister, Rosemary Warner; and daughter-in-law, Heather.

Visitation was held Monday, June 5, from 4-8 PM at McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, 1220 3rd Ave. E., Shakopee, 952-445-2755. Visitation also held Tuesday, June 6, from 10-11 AM, at Church of St. Mary, 535 Lewis St. S., Shakopee, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Livestream recording will be available on the McNearney-Schmidt Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, Dick would prefer donations to any organization that helps young men in need. mcnearneyfuneralhome.com

By Frank Jackson

Representing the DOC and MCF-Lino Lakes, Case Manager Frank Jackson was present at The Golden Opportunity Career Fair amongst 25 other companies.

By Joshua Fargusson

Here in Shakopee, Corrections Week was celebrated with different meals/desserts/snacks each day of the work week. Everything from bagels, to tacos, to the overwhelmingly popular ice cream day. As you can see, some were perhaps a little too excited for ice cream day! (We were unfortunately not fast enough with the camera to capture the reverse 1/2 somersault with 4 1/2 twists performed prior to this 10 point ice cream celebrated landing.)

We chalked it up to the emergence of spring and the overabundance of energetic enthusiasm it inspires. Hope everyone had a wonderful Corrections Week!!!

By Nicole Riemenschneider

I want to acknowledge the fine work of my staff over the Memorial Day weekend.

On Sunday, May 29, they started the shift with five cells to pack, three from the previous day, that they were unable to complete due to a large grouping and other events that occurred on Saturday. Staff also recovered a shank and three IPs went to Segregation for positive PBTs. Officer Nakatani-Valdez and Officer Kim completed five cell packs from all of the events that transpired before 1030 hours.

Cell packs are often a daunting part of the job, but these two officers completed this task for the OIC that day, Officer Emily Anderson, without question. She emailed me to relay how invaluable it was to work with officers that supported her and helped getting all tasks done without hesitation.

As the supervisor of A-East, I am well aware that my staff often work hard, long days, and I wanted to take this opportunity to award them with a formal acknowledgement of this work.

By Lacy Kreye

Cortney is a case manager at MCF-Rush City and has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia. She has been with the DOC for over 16 years and her and her family could really use your help! A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist with her medical bills and a Caring Bridge site set up for updates on her progress. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Fundraiser by Joanie Lasiuk : Help for Cortney and her family! (gofundme.com)

Cortney | CaringBridge

By Andrew Mann

With new ADA accommodations needing to be made for a new sidewalk at MCF-Red Wing and Arbor Month in full swing, the maintenance team, along with Administration, took it upon themselves to ensure a beautiful tree lived to see another day! With swift action they found someone available to make the move and relocate the tree to another area of the facility where it can continue to provide clean air and shade for all the residents and staff in Red Wing.

“Trees give peace to the souls of men." “If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees." “To be without trees would, in the most literal way, to be without our roots." - Author Unknown

Thank you to the team at MCF-Red Wing for keeping the roots of Red Wing alive!

By Uyanda Bayandalai

I am nominating both J2 and J3 officers Follmer and Breivik for Leadership as they have shown outstanding leadership skills in SOTP programming and safety and security in J buildings. In addition, they are the point persons for incarcerated individuals, directing them to get the right help and a bridge between security and therapy.

Left to Right: Captain John Kelly, Captain Eric Knies, CPT Uyanda Bayandalai, AWO Mary McComb, COII Steve Breivik, COII Mark Follmer, Lt. Steve McCarty, Warden Shannon Reimann, Captain Chad Oye & Lt. Jessica Johnson

By Sherlinda Wheeler

Please meet the graduates from Oak Park Heights Academy #178. Welcome to the Oak Park Heights Family!

Left to Right: COI Ka Ying Vue, COI Cailin French, COI Jason Pugh,
TDSII Tina Payton

By Marisol Ortega

Congratulations to St. Cloud's newest graduating academy!

Left to Right: AWO Sarah Rykken, Capt. Jamie Holm, CO Laramy Walker, CO Tobi Olawore, CPT Matt Frangier, CO Brad Dollar, CO Nick Kine and Lt. Carl Krippner.

By Melissa Paquette

MCF-Faribault elected to celebrate and show appreciation for staff throughout the month of May rather than just during Corrections Week. The work that each of our staff does on a daily basis is stressful and exhausting to say the least. We sincerely appreciate the hard work and dedication shown by MCF-FRB staff each and every day. Handing out treats, providing lunches and having food trucks on grounds are just small ways to recognize staff and say "Thank You" for all that you do.

Left to Right: Lt. Josh Sterling, Capt. Chris Mitchell, Warden Tracy Beltz & CPT3 Rebecca Ramsey

Left to Right: CPT3 Jaime Paukert, CPT3 Sean Sisler, Capt. Arti Cunningham, CM Jason Starkson, Capt. Melissa Paquette, CM Quenilla Evans, CPT3 Rebecca Ramsey & CO2 Alec Pfarr