Brown County sheriff, Aberdeen police chief vow to address strife between agencies

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Sheriff Dave Lunzman was visibly agitated as he stood up and walked out of the Brown County Commission Chambers during the Tuesday, Feb. 6 county meeting.

His aggravation has grown in recent months.

Lunzman let commissioners know that he has tried to mend a rift between the sheriff’s office and the Aberdeen Police Department, but that it was exacerbated by an incident on Sunday, Feb. 4. And, he said, he feels like a newspaper article from last year makes it seem he is solely responsible for the strife between the agencies.

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During a Wednesday, Feb. 7 interview with The Aberdeen Insider, he elaborated on his frustrations.

Then, on Friday, Feb. 9, Lunzman and Aberdeen Police Chief Dave McNeil met to discuss the situation and possible solutions.

There’s still work to be done, but both men feel the meeting was a step in the right direction.

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Much of Lunzman’s irritation has to do with a Dakota Scout article published Dec. 4 and used by The Aberdeen Insider both online and in print.

The article publicized an ongoing investigation into “at least one” blood draw taken last year at the Brown County Jail. It was taken by Lunzman’s wife, Mary Jane, who was employed at the jail at the time. She is no longer working at the jail, Lunzman said.

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