Editorial: McNurlin is citizen No. 1

Chief Deputy Scott McNurlin is Dean Albers’ right-hand man. As today’s front page story notes, the Goodhue County sheriff jokes that his top priority is to make the sheriff look good.

Goodhue County's leading law enforcement duo is proof that a little levity should be a requisite in the serious world of law enforcement.

McNurlin certainly has made Albers look good.

In fact, no one can dispute that McNurlin has made the entire Sheriff's Office and indeed the county look better than good in his 27-year career.

The Goodhue County Editorial Association recognized his continuing efforts by naming him the 2009 Goodhue County Citizen of the Year. In particular, the association comprising the Cannon Falls Beacon, Kenyon Leader, News-Record of Zumbrota and Red Wing Republican Eagle honored him for helping establish the local 800 mhz communication network.

The system is live now and will go countywide this spring. The system provides dynamically better coverage than the old analog radios, enabling law enforcement, fire and ambulance personnel to do their jobs both independently and cooperatively - something that will be critical when a crisis or disaster hits.

When you consider Goodhue County sits between the Prairie Island nuclear plant, the Mississippi River, the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and the Mayo Clinic, knowing we have state-of-the-art communications should make residents feel better. That's especially true when the likes of Albers, McNurlin and their investigators, deputies and dispatchers are operating it.

The 800 mhz network is simply his latest project. In the past, McNurlin has represented Goodhue County on everything from the regional drug task force to the Minnesota Juvenile Officers Association. He's worked with schools and local police departments, and today teaches future officers through the new law enforcement program at Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical.

In addition, the Red Wing High School graduate has been president of the Red Wing Family YMCA Board, served on the Urland Lutheran Church Council and is active in such organizations as Rotary and Boy Scouts.

McNurlin's citizenship goes beyond his job, although his words and actions make it clear that the peace officer in him drives all he does. He's quick to say he's fortunate to do a job he loves.

"And what's the job?" Albers says.

"Make the sheriff look good."

Joking aside, McNurlin is a serious asset to Goodhue County and its citizens.

He is the 2009 Goodhue County Citizen of the Year.

Tags: citizen of the year, goodhue county, scott mcnurlin, opinion, editorials, goodhue