WinnMed and the cities of Calmar and Ossian have entered into formal agreements with the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office to provide dedicated law enforcement services to each entity.
These partnerships, developed following Calmar Police Chief Joe Ward’s announcement to retire at the end of 2026, demonstrate the power of local collaboration and a shared commitment to community safety.
WinnMed Chief Administrative Officer Steve Slessor said, “By working together and sharing financial responsibilities, each entity benefits from a higher level of service than could be achieved independently, while making the most responsible use of public resources. Not only was WinnMed interested in law enforcement services on our Decorah campus, we had significant stake in supporting law enforcement services in the cities of Calmar and Ossian, where many of our staff live and where we have outreach medical and rehab clinics.
All three agreements, executed separately, will take effect January 2027. Collectively, they support the salary of one additional Winneshiek County deputy – a position that will be needed for the Sheriff’s Office to cover the requirements of each agreement.
WinnMed Partnership
The partnership between WinnMed and the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office establishes a collaborative model that brings sworn law enforcement personnel to WinnMed beyond traditional emergency response, providing an increased level of security services for patients, visitors, staff, and the broader campus community.
Through the agreement, patients, visitors, and staff will notice a more intentional law enforcement presence throughout WinnMed’s facilities and grounds. The partnership reflects WinnMed’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment while continuing to expand services and meet the growing needs of the communities it serves.
“This partnership represents an important investment in the safety and security of everyone who enters our campus,” said Slessor. “As we continue to grow in staff and services, it is natural that our need for enhanced security also grows. It is important to us that we engage with a partner we know and trust, and who has a vested interest in our success.”
Dan Marx, Winneshiek County Sheriff said, “The Sheriff’s Office has a long-standing relationship with WinnMed and formalizing our collaboration was a natural next step. As two county entities serving the people of Winneshiek County, this agreement strengthens our shared commitment to providing citizens with the highest level of professionalism and service. It advances the mission of both organizations while allowing each to focus on what it does best.”
