Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Dale Pehrson Retires After 23 Years of Service

After more than two decades of quiet, steady service at some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives, Chaplain Dale Pehrson has officially retired from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

In an announcement shared by the Sheriff’s Office, officials confirmed that Pehrson concluded a 23 year tenure as part of the agency’s chaplaincy program, a role focused on providing emotional and spiritual support to residents and first responders during crises. The office publicly thanked him for a ministry that “faithfully” served the community and “impacted many.”

While chaplains typically work outside the spotlight, their presence is often felt at scenes of sudden tragedy, where families, victims, witnesses, and deputies confront shock, grief, or trauma. Pehrson’s service spanned a period of significant growth and change in Anoka County, which today is one of Minnesota’s most populous counties.

A specialized role in public safety

Law enforcement chaplaincy differs from traditional pastoral work. Chaplains are trained to respond alongside deputies during high stress incidents, offering what is often described as psychological first aid. Their role emphasizes crisis intervention rather than religious instruction, and services are provided regardless of a person’s faith background.

Over the course of his career, Pehrson’s responsibilities would have included assisting deputies with death notifications, providing on scene support to families following fatal accidents or violent crimes, and offering a calming presence to victims and witnesses during emergencies. Chaplains also serve internally, giving deputies and staff a confidential outlet to process the cumulative stress, trauma, and emotional toll associated with law enforcement work.

In addition to crisis response, chaplains commonly participate in ceremonial duties, including department memorials, official observances, and community events that mark moments of collective loss or remembrance.

Service across multiple administrations

Pehrson began his service with the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office around 2002. During his 23 year tenure, he served under three sheriffs: Bruce Andersohn, James Stuart, and current Sheriff Brad Wise.

That continuity is notable in a profession where volunteer chaplains are often on call at all hours and may serve for shorter periods due to the emotional demands of the work. The Sheriff’s Office has described Pehrson’s ministry as consistent and dependable, underscoring the long term commitment required to remain engaged through decades of community crises.

The chaplaincy program in context

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office is one of the larger law enforcement agencies in Minnesota. Established in 1857, the office today serves a population of more than 350,000 residents across 21 cities and townships, encompassing both urban and rural communities. The agency employs and supports approximately 300 staff members and volunteers across its divisions, including patrol, detention, investigations, and volunteer services such as chaplaincy.

Within that structure, chaplains function as a bridge between law enforcement and the community, providing care that extends beyond enforcement and into the human aftermath of emergency response.

The Sheriff’s Office has not yet indicated whether Pehrson’s retirement will result in recruitment for additional chaplain volunteers or how coverage will be adjusted moving forward.

For now, his departure marks the close of a chapter defined not by public accolades, but by years of presence in moments of grief, uncertainty, and recovery, a form of service that often leaves a lasting impact long after the sirens fade.

MinneapoliMedia