Chief Deputy Curt Struwe Appointed as Wabasha County Sheriff

Wabasha, MN (KROC-AM News)- There's a new sheriff in Wabasha County. 

See Also: Motion to Dismiss Rochester Racial Slur Case Denied

Chief Deputy Curt Struwe was sworn in as the southeast Minnesota county’s 29th sheriff on Wednesday morning.

He was tabbed by the Wabasha County Board to replace outgoing Sheriff Rodney Bartsh, who is set to retire on May 31. 

Get our free mobile app

Chief Deputy Curt Struwe Sworn in as Wabasha County's 29th Sheriff

In a post published on the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Bartsh called Struwe “a natural pick for the board with his extensive experience in the county.” 

Last month, Struwe was elevated to serve as Chief Deputy. His predecessor Jim Warren retired from the second-in-command role at the end of April. 

Read More: Wabasha County Sheriff's Office Faces Leadership Shake-up 

Struwe has 34 years of experience and has “overseen every major case that our county has faced in those years including homicides,” Bartsh said. 

“I can say that over the years he has been dedicated, loyal, and has never jumped out of the fire when it gets hot. We need people like that in these positions,” Bartsh wrote. 

Earlier this year, Bartsh announced that he would not seek re-election. He then moved his departure date from office up to May 31. 

Struwe to Start June 1, Will Not Run in 2026

Struwe is scheduled to begin his tenure as Wabasha County Sheriff on June 1.  The outgoing Wabasha County Sheriff  said Struwe will not run for election this Fall. 

As of Wednesday morning, deputy Jason Bade is the only candidate to file for the race for Wabasha County Sheriff, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State Office. 

He has 29 years of law enforcement experience and previously ran for the office in 2022.