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   WALKER —  Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk and Chief Deputy Eric Alger provided an update to the County Board regarding the retirement of K9 Ryker, while Lt. Chris Thompson presented the department’s jail inspection report during the regular commissioner’s meeting on Tues., Sept. 1.

   Sheriff Bryan Welk reported K-9 Ryker is retiring after over seven years of service with the department. The County Board approved the Resolution, authorizing Ryker’s transfer to his longtime handler, Deputy Ryan Huston.

Deputy Ryan Huston and Ryker. Photos Submitted.

   Chief Deputy Eric Alger shared Ryker’s career statistics with the board. During his seven years with the department, Ryker made 134 deployments, completed 28 track finds of fleeing suspects, assisted with 56 arrests and participated in 1,157 hours of training. He also worked in narcotics detection, article searches and tracking lost or missing people and served as a member of the department’s Emergency Response Unit.

   Sheriff Bryan Welk highlighted several of Ryker’s successful searches, including the recovery of a firearm believed to have been thrown from a vehicle during a pursuit on Highway 87. Ryker also assisted with searches for missing people and other evidence.

   Sheriff Bryan Welk thanked Ryker for his years of service and said transferring the retired K-9 to Huston was in the best interest of both the handler and the K-9 unit.

The Cass County Board of Commissioners recognize handler Deputy Ryan Huston and K-9 Ryker. Front L to Right – Deputy Ryan Huston, K-9 Ryker, Sheriff Bryan Welk, and Chief Deputy Eric Alger. Back L to R – Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk, Commissioner Rick Haaland, Commissioner Bob Kangas, and Commissioner Scott Bruns (out of view).

   Thompson then presented the results of a recent Minnesota Department of Corrections inspection of the Cass County Detention Center. The inspection identified several areas needing attention, including the facility’s limited space, medical procedures, building maintenance and documentation.

   Thompson acknowledged the jail has outgrown its current physical space but said staff continue to make the facility work. The inspection also identified issues with documenting inmate well-being checks and medication counts.

   In response to the medical concerns, the department is implementing monitoring equipment in five cells — three holding cells and two medical cells. The system monitors inmates’ vital signs and sounds an alarm if breathing or pulse rates fall below established parameters.

   Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk asked how the department verifies medications brought in by inmates following changes in state law requiring jails to provide prescribed medications. Thompson explained that critical medications are verified immediately, while other prescriptions are verified with the inmate’s pharmacy by medical staff before being administered.

   Some of the inspection findings involved newer nursing staff not properly documenting medication counts, making it difficult for inspectors to determine how many pills should have been available. Thompson said the department is addressing the training and documentation issues.

   Overall, the inspection findings were described as involving primarily the facility’s space limitations, cosmetic building and tile work, and procedures that need improvement. The space issue remains a significant long-term concern as the jail continues to outgrow its current facility.

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