Deputy Matt Maschmann seeking county sheriff position

      Poweshiek County Deputy Matt Maschmann, front, is joined by Poweshiek County Sheriff Tom Kriegel at BGM Elementary on Friday, March 15, where the two gave students high fives to begin their day.  
     "Thank you to the BGM Elementary Staff for the opportunity to greet the kids and have a positive interaction with them," noted Maschmann, who is seeking election as county sheriff in November. Photo by Mary Sherwood.

By J.O. Parker
 
        Long-time Poweshiek County Deputy and K9 handler Matt Maschmann announced last week that he has filed papers with the county auditor’s office and is starting his campaign for the position of Poweshiek County Sheriff.
        Maschmann has been employed as a deputy with Poweshiek County for 19.5 years.
    “I began my law enforcement career as a reserve police officer with the Victor Police Department in 1997,” Maschmann said. “I became a reserve deputy and part-time dispatcher with Poweshiek County in 1998.”
       Maschmann was hired full-time with the Grinnell Police Department in 2001. After graduation from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, he became a certified peace officer with the GPD.
       In September 2004, Maschmann began working as a Poweshiek County Deputy where he has held several positions in the years since including serving as the K9 handler since 2005, a state certified firearms and rifle instructor, a certified ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, County and Evacuate) instructor and was assigned to the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force.
      “I also served alongside Grinnell Police Officers when we had a joint tactical team,” noted Maschmann. “I have been very fortunate to work with some of the finest police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel in the state.”
       Maschmann believes that his hard work and dedication to the citizens of Poweshiek County has given him the knowledge and leadership skills to head the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office and lead our deputies and dispatcher/jailers in the years to come.
       “My family has a long history of community service and I am honored to continue that legacy,” said Maschmann. “My father is a 20-year retired Air Force veteran and my mother spent more than 48 years in the nursing field. My grandfather was also a WWII veteran and his service is honored by being selected to be on the display of the Poweshiek County Freedom Rock.”
        In addition, Maschmann also has numerous other family members who have served our great country and continue to be involved in the local communities.
         “My parents and family moved back to Poweshiek County once my father retired and I have been a resident ever since,” he said. “I graduated from BGM high school in 1995. I attended Indian Hills and Buena Vista University where I earned an AAS in Criminal Justice and BA in Political Science.”
        Following in the footsteps of his family, Maschmann remains active in the community through various organizations, including serving on the church council at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Malcom and serving as a member of the East Poweshiek County Ambulance Service. 
          He currently serves on the Brooklyn Library Board, is a member of the Brooklyn Sons of the American Legion (SAL), has coached little league baseball and been a member of the BGM Cub Club Wrestling for years.
        “I am a strong supporter of community policing and I believe that it is important to volunteer and be leaders within the communities we serve,” he said.
       Maschmann said if elected as sheriff, he assures that the department will work collaboratively with the other law enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency medical services in the county to ensure the best possible services to the citizens.
    “I will have an open-door policy for all citizens and employees and will make sure that everyone’s concerns and voices are heard,” he said. “I look forward to meeting and talking with county residents and working together to ensure Poweshiek County continues to be a safe place for all of us to call home and raise our families.”