K-9 retirement
The Carlton County Sheriff's Office has announced the retirement of K-9 Deputy Roman.
K-9 Roman and his handler, Sgt. Tory Cawcutt, have been partners for seven years. During their time together, Roman had been deployed on over 300 occasions and involved in approximately 60 arrests, including seven street bites/apprehensions and the apprehension of three individuals wanted for murder. In addition, Roman and Cawcutt are responsible for seizing 1,587 grams of methamphetamine, 14 grams of cocaine, 1,814 grams of marijuana,and 14 grams of opiates, including heroin and fentanyl.
Along with Roman's work tracking fugitives and detecting narcotics, Sgt. Cawcutt and Roman were involved in searches for missing people as well as 54 community engagement events. The team could often be found at various neighborhood gatherings and in the halls of community schools providing educational opportunities as well as displaying their talents for the citizens of Carlton County to see.
During their work together, Cawcutt and K-9 Roman received numerous awards, including eight USPCA awards and several USPCA medallions distributed during annual narcotic and patrol certifications both for their excellence in certification, as well as for their involvement in various cases.
Cawcutt and K-9 Roman also received the USPCA Region 12 Patrol "Case of the Quarter" as well as the USPCA Region 12 Patrol "Case of the Year" in recognition of his work apprehending a homicide suspect that was actively fleeing apprehension.
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With Roman enjoying retirement, Cawcutt will continue to serve Carlton County as a patrol sergeant. Cawcutt will assume the responsibilities of K-9 supervisor and assist the sheriff's office in identifying a new K-9 handler as well as selecting a new K-9 partner that will train together.
Donation
Dead On Arms, an indoor shooting range/training facility and firearm retailer in Cloquet, donated pepper ball guns to area police departments. The use of non-lethal force could avoid future incidents. Dead on Arms is owned by Chad and Laura Walsh.
Walsh, an officer with the Moose Lake Police Department, believes that law enforcement officers should also be trained in the use of non-lethal force. The pepper ball guns are pistol-sized and easy to carry in squad cars where they would be accessible in times of need.
Learning notes
Anna Palodichuk, a junior at University of Minnesota Duluth, was awarded the 2021 Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor Scholarship at the VMH Annual Dinner on Dec. 12. As part of the scholarship application process, entrants are required to write a four-page-minimum, annotated essay about a St. Louis County veteran or veterans group.
Palodichuk chose Lydia Whiteside, a Duluthian nurse who served in World War I and died in the service of her country, as her subject. Whiteside left in May 1918 with Hospital Unit 26 of the Minnesota Ambulance Corps. In conflict, Whiteside served as a nurse for the Red Cross. She was part of a mobile surgical hospital unit near the front lines.
Mike Colalillo was the last known surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient in Minnesota. He was born and raised in St. Louis County and he dropped out of school when his mother died so he could help support the family. Following the war, Colalillo raised three children in Duluth. To learn about his military service, visit thehistorypeople.org/m-colalillo-scholarship.
Education notes
Northwood Technical College Farm Operation Instructor Julie Wadzinski placed third in the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 103rd convention Jan. 8-10 in Atlanta.
Wadzinski competed as a member of the Barron County Farm Bureau. To qualify for the national competition, Wadzinski won the state contest by being in the top three finalists for District 9 before winning the 2021 Wisconsin Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Agriculturist Discussion Meet contest.
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Wadzinski competed against 30 contestants from other states. Questions were based on current agricultural issues, which focused on COVID-19 supply chain breakdowns, farm safety, farmer mental health and green energy.
She won a Case IH 40-inch combination roll cabinet and top chest; a $500 Case IH parts card; a $2,500 "Investing in Your Future" cash prize; and $1,850 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise.
