The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

November 10, 2009

Deputy cleared of shooting is back at work

Sheriff expects no problems in Kasota

By Robb Murray

LE CENTER — The deputy investigated in the shooting death of a Kasota man is back on the job in Le Sueur County.

Todd Waldron, who last week was cleared of wrongdoing in the death of 24-year-old Tyler Heilman, is back on duty for the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff David Gliszinski said he’s confident in Waldron’s work and says the department has had a good relationship with Kasota since the shooting.

Waldron, 37, a 10-year veteran of the department, had been on paid administrative leave while the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigated the July shooting. And last week, a grand jury convened to consider a murder indictment against him.

Jurors heard 21 witnesses. They deliberated two hours Friday before deciding against indicting Waldron.

Waldron was working in plain clothes the afternoon of July 20 when he confronted Heilman about driving erratically in Kasota and asked him for his driver’s license. There was a scuffle outside a Kasota apartment complex. The scuffle ended with Waldron’s gunshots.

In the aftermath, a vocal group of family and friends of Heilman’s have remained steadfast in their belief that Heilman’s death was murder.

But Gliszinski said that, despite what that group has said, he and the rest of the department stand by Waldron. He said the department hasn’t had a problem serving the city of Kasota or its residents, and he doesn’t think Waldron will either.

“He’s a very qualified officer, very professional,” Gliszinski said.

He’s also not worried about reprisals from the most vocal critics.

“I have not heard any threats toward him or our department,” he said.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Department has for many years provided law enforcement services to Kasota — except for a handful of years where Kasota hired its own police chief.

“We’ve had no problems there. It’s a good community,” he said. “There will be no changes to how Kasota has been patrolled.”

Gliszinski said his department has been open to communication with Waldron’s supporters, and said they’ve never said no to a request for a meeting.

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