Poweshiek County Sheriff, deputy reflect on careers

MONTEZUMA — “We enjoyed serving the people,” said Poweshiek County Sheriff Tom Kriegel, as he and Deputy Joel VanderLeest cleaned out their offices in Montezuma New Year’s Eve day, ending long-tenured law enforcement careers for both men.

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“We never got bored,” said Kriegel. “Joel and I enjoyed working with all the deputies, and we worked hard to get better vehicles, equipment and training for our deputies.”

“Tom and I appreciate all the support we’ve received from the residents of the county,” said VanderLeest.

Kriegel spent 42 1/2 years in law enforcement in Poweshiek County, including 12 as sheriff.

Vander Leest spent 30 years in law enforcement in Poweshiek County, including 12 years as chief deputy under Sheriff Kriegel.

Sheriff Tom Kriegel

Following graduation from Grinnell High School in 1976, Kreigel went to work for Maytag in Newton. In 1982, while still working at Maytag, he was hired by the City of Brooklyn as a weekend police officer.

“Back in those days, they would give you the keys to the police car and let you go,” recalled Kriegel. “I had my own gun on the job. I worked weekends in Brooklyn for 17 years and started out at $4 an hour.”

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Kriegel got into law enforcement because he wanted to help people and thought it would be a good career.

While still working weekends in Brooklyn and days at Maytag, Kriegel joined the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy in 1986. He served in that capacity for six years, stepping down in 1992 when he ran unsuccessfully for sheriff against Max Allen.

In 1993, he took a leave of absence from Maytag to attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

“That made everyone want to hire me, but I stayed at Maytag until 2006 when I had my 30 years in,” said Kriegel.

Kriegel joined the Montezuma Police Department in 1998 as a part-time officer and stayed there until 2001, when the MPD closed its police department and contracted with the sheriff’s office for law enforcement services.

Kriegel continued working part-time with Poweshiek County sheriff’s office until hiring on as a deputy full-time in 2006.

He was elected sheriff in November 2012, replacing the now late Sheriff Tom Sheets.

During his tenure as sheriff, Kriegel was involved in several high-profile cases including the murder of Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old Brooklyn girl who went missing July 18, 2018 while jogging near her home. She was found a month later in a cornfield.

Kriegel was also involved with the search of Xavior Harrelson, 10, who went missing from Montezuma May 27, 2021. He was found by a farmer a few miles north of Montezuma Sept. 30, 2021.

Kriegel also worked alongside the Iowa State Patrol, DCI agents, FBI and the crime lab during his tenure.

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“When I was elected sheriff, I became friends with sheriffs across the state,” said Kriegel. “I’ve really enjoyed working with fellow law enforcement officers. I’ve enjoyed working with Deputy VanderLeest and all the deputies in my department.”

As for the future, Kriegel will continue his snow removal business in the Grinnell area. He also plans to enjoy spending time with his family (including his wife, four children and spouses and seven grandchildren).

And he plans to go wild hog hunting in eastern Oklahoma in April. It’s an annual hunting venture he takes with his son and son-in-law.

Kriegel tends to a large vegetable garden that measures almost an acre at his home east of Grinnell during the summer. The garden is stocked with hundreds of vegetables, including 700 onion plants.

Deputy Joel VanderLeest

Deputy VanderLeest joined the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy in 1995.

“Sheriff John Griffith hired me as a jailer/dispatch that same year,” said VanderLeest.

He joined the sheriff’s department as a full-time deputy in 1996.

When asked what he enjoyed the most about the job, VanderLeest said every day was unpredictable.

“Every day was different,” he said. “I enjoyed the challenge of the job. I served as chief deputy for 12 years.”

As for the future, VanderLeest will spend time with his family (wife and three children), going hunting and focusing on new opportunities.

Community support

Both men said they appreciate all the community support they have received during their careers. And both are thankful for the installation of the new Shared Area Radio Agreement network in Poweshiek County.

“Now we can communicate with everyone,” noted Kriegel. “It’s a huge thing for law enforcement. It’s used by fire and ambulance departments, first responders and all law enforcement offices. It has opened up the lines of communication.”

Kriegel and VanderLeest were also instrumental in bringing bodycams to deputies in the county during their time in law enforcement.

A well-attended retirement celebration for both VanderLeest and Kriegel was held Dec. 30 in the Poweshiek County Courthouse boardroom in Montezuma. The event drew law enforcement officials from across the state, along with family and many friends who came to thank the two men for their service and wish them well in retirement.

“I’m going to take a lot of memories out of here,” said Sheriff Kriegel in wrapping up his long career.