Wiesner retires from NUPD

Investigator

serves 37 years

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Investigator Doug Wiesner admitted he didn't enjoy being in the limelight but realized something had to take place at his retirement Wednesday after 37 years of service with the New Ulm Police Department.

New Ulm Police Chief Erv Weinkauf said Wiesner told him he didn't want a retirement ceremony at first. The men compromised after talking about it.

Wiesner waxed philosophically at the end of the ceremony.

"Many people today think too much about tomorrow and yesterday," Wiesner said. "They need to learn to live today. Yesterday is past, and there are no guarantees for tomorrow."

Wiesner credited his late wife Beverly with getting him interested in joining the police department after his stint with the U.S. Navy and several other jobs in New Ulm.

"It's been a short 37 years when I think about it," Wiesner said. "I've enjoyed it here through the good and bad times. It's difficult for me to be here without my wife. I don't know what I would have done without my good friends that helped me get along after she died."

His good friends that attended the retirement included Chuck "Hans" and Connie Stadick, of Boise, Idaho, formerly of New Ulm. Stadick credited Wiesner with introducing him to his wife.

Weinkauf, Minnesota State Patrol Major Mike Asleson and policeman Myron Wieland credited Wiesner with being a mentor and friend when they needed one most.

Asleson, Weinkauf and Mike Dudley of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Office in Mankato presented numerous plaques and certificates to Wiesner for his service.

Asleson, a native of New Ulm, who worked at the police department as a dispatcher before joining the State Patrol, said Wiesner was "very much a mentor" to him.

"In addition to work, we discussed things that had nothing to do with work like other important things in life," Asleson said. "I remember watching the television show "Adam 12" as a boy. Doug reminded me of Officer Malloy -- a competent, professional officer that served with real honor."

Dudley credited Wiesner for his "outstanding" work on the bank robbery at Valley Bank & Trust in New Ulm last fall.

Weinkauf said Wiesner offered guidance to young police officers who had questions.

As his retirement gift, Wiesner will receive a .357 handgun. Weinkauf told Wiesner he could pick up the weapon after doing the required paperwork. Wiesner was issued the handgun when he became a police investigator more than 20 years ago.

Weinkauf said he has known Wiesner since 1957 when the two boys lived a block apart. Weinkauf later worked for Wiesner's father at Montgomery Ward in New Ulm.

"I remember him for his knowledge, courage and integrity," Weinkauf said of Wiesner. "Graduating from the FBI Police Academy was a positive thing for him. I'm proud to call him a friend."

Weinkauf said Wiesner's courage was exemplified in December of 1991 when he rescued a woman from the Christopherson house fire.

"You're losing a terrific guy," said Jessie Caparelli of Brown County Social Services. "He's been very responsive to our requests."

New Ulm Mayor Joel Ahlbrecht said Wiesner has the gratitude of the community.

"We're blessed in New Ulm with so many people doing such a great job with us for so long," Ahlbrecht said. "Not everybody likes you when you're the person that gives tickets. I know this is a bittersweet event for him."

A 1961 graduate of New Ulm High School, Wiesner was named the New Ulm co-Athlete of the Year. He played football, basketball and competed on the track team.

Wiesner served in the U.S. Navy from 1962-65. He sailed around the world, working as a storekeeper on the USS Enterprise, the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

He joined the New Ulm Police Department on May 1, 1966. Wiesner took various night courses at Mankato State University. He attended the National Police Academy at the FBI Training Center in Quantico, Va., in 1977. Wiesner became a special investigator in 1978.

Aside from last year's bank robbery in New Ulm, Wiesner's investigative work included a pair of homicide and arson cases.

"New Ulm is a nice clean town without many serious crimes," Wiesner said.