Trooper Timothy Knutson

Patrol Duties: Mankato area

Why did you apply to Minnesota State Patrol: I initially joined the military right out of high school. What essentially drew me to law enforcement was that it’s a rewarding and honorable career, and it parallels those core values that we learn in the military.  I initially worked as a trooper in the Minneapolis area, but I was still trying to figure out where my passions were in law enforcement. After more than a year with the Minnesota State Patrol, I left to become a Mankato Police Officer. It was there I discovered my passion was traffic safety, so that’s what drove me back to the State Patrol.

What does your average day look like: Trying to educate the public about road safety and stop dangerous driving behavior before we 

have crashes that cause injuries, damage property, or cause a fatality. Our biggest priorities are our 911 phone calls. Those may be driving complaints or crashes. And depending on the nature of calls for service that some of our allied or local agencies go to, we will assist them as well.

Most rewarding part of your job: When we respond to 911 calls, we’re seeing people at their worst, and the rewarding part is that you know we’ve made a difference in their life. Whether it’s responding to a crash with injuries and providing aid or finding impaired drivers and getting them off the road, we want to make sure that everyone is safe.

Advice for someone considering a State Patrol career: I would go for it, especially with the State Patrol. They’ll give you top-notch equipment, training is outstanding, and you’ll be supported by leadership and fellow troopers. It’s been an awesome agency to work for.

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Trooper Carter Pavek

Patrol Duties: East Metro

Why did you apply to Minnesota State Patrol: I did a ride-along because one of my brother’s best friends was a trooper, and as I was talking to him, this career checked all the boxes that I wanted. Then I saw an explorer post on the State Patrol’s website for teens and young adults. I did it for one year. It helps to get some experience because you go over stuff that enforcement does on a daily basis.

What does your average day look like: You start your shift in your driveway, sign on the radio and go to your duty station. I cover the whole east metro district since I work overnights. Then I respond to calls, stop people for traffic infractions and handle any crashes that happen. I’ve always loved working the city. I like how busy it is. It keeps me preoccupied, and there’s always something to do out here.

Most rewarding part of your job: I know I’m making an impact getting drunk drivers off the road. I know I’m helping people, whether it’s before they crash or after they cause a crash. Just getting them off the roads and keeping the roads safer. 

I also remember helping an older woman and her son who needed a ride after their vehicle stalled, so I drove them. We got the tow truck situated, and they appreciated me just getting them where they needed to go, so that’s really stuck with me.

Advice for someone considering a State Patrol career: Do a ride-along. Do your research. A ride-along is one of the best ways to do it, because you’ll be in the passenger seat with someone. It’s just a good way to get your foot in the door and dip your toes into the career of law enforcement.

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Trooper David Holmquist

Patrol Duties: St. Cloud area

Why did you apply to Minnesota State Patrol: I’ve been in law enforcement for 26 years total. I was a police officer, then a sheriff’s deputy, and I heard the opportunity came up in my area where I worked as a deputy that the State Patrol had some openings. I thought it would be a great opportunity, so I went ahead and applied and made it through the academy, and here I am, back in the area I wanted to be, working with the State Patrol. 

What does your average day look like: Every day is a little bit different, which is what I’ve always loved about law enforcement — the variety. It could be a crash. It could be working traffic enforcement, maybe making a presentation at a school or a 

community event, so it could really be a variety of things throughout the day.

Most rewarding part of your job: The most fulfilling part of the job for me is having the human interaction., interacting with community members. Whether it’s on the street or on a traffic stop on the roadside, I’m educating someone about traffic safety. Just being able to remind them about driving safe, keeping passengers in the vehicle safe and everybody else on the roadway safe.

Advice for someone considering a State Patrol career: Ask a trooper. Visit with them for a little bit. Go for ride-along. It’s been a great change for me. It’s a great chance for you to excel, do a lot of things and the benefits that go along with it are second to none. I’m loving the job, even as far in the career as I am.

 

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Chief Warrant Officer Brett Stricker

Patrol Duties: Flight section

Why did you apply to Minnesota State Patrol: My father is a trooper, so I’ve always wanted to join the State Patrol. I like that at the State Patrol you are kind of your own boss. If you just go out and do your job, you’re going to have a long and rewarding career here. 

What does your average day look like? We come to the airport right away. We do our preflight inspections of the active helicopter and airplane for that day. Once we’re done with that, we see what is on the agenda. Maybe we need to go to a transport or a training flight. If we don’t, we’ll go up for what we call a patrol flight, and we’ll just fly around the metro. We’ll listen to the radios, looking for work, listening for pursuits or searches that we might be able to assist with.

Most rewarding part of your job: The most rewarding part is being able to be that calm voice in the sky to someone who might be in the thick of it on the ground. I can get on the radio with a calm demeanor and let them know we’re with you, we see you and help them out. I have the best job in Minnesota. Every time you take off, it’s just a rush, and you never forget to look out the window while you’re doing this job.

Advice for someone considering a State Patrol career: I would let them know that in the State Patrol, you’re never stuck doing one thing.  If you like working the road and going to crashes, you can do that your entire career. If you want more, there are so many special details you can go into. Come to the flight section, get your flight ratings. Go to the Capitol. Be an investigator. Whatever you want to do, you can do it here.

You can read more about Brett's family connections to the State Patrol here.