Former Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy and D.A.R.E. officer Mary Woerner is being recognized today in Oshkosh as she receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from the state D.A.R.E. Association.
Woerner, who now works in the private sector, spent 23 years with the Sheriff’s Department.
A 1989 graduate of Slinger High School, Woerner, started with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department in 1993 as a special deputy when Robert Schulteis was sheriff.
In March 1997 Woerner was hired full time and three years later she took over the D.A.R.E. program.
She said the changes through the years were incredible.
“We’ve gone from hand-written tickets to having laptops in the squad and we have tasers,” Woerner said.
Neighbors recognize Woerner as the familiar face at the law-enforcement booth at the Washington County Fair. She was also involved in public presentations on drug/alcohol abuse, internet safety, Every 15 Minutes Program, and coordinating Shop with a Cop.
“When Brian Rahn was Sheriff he approached me about doing a Shop with a Cop program; it was something he had seen in Fond du Lac,” she said. “I think he came with the request in October and by that December we had one together.”
Shop with a Cop has grown tremendously through the years. Woerner said it helps build a bridge between the community and local law enforcement. “The Moose Lodge let us use their hall, Johnson Bus provided transportation and every time I asked the community was there to support it,” she said.
Over the years Woerner was able to raise $8,000 each year to take children shopping.
Woerner said the decision to leave law enforcement was difficult. “I’ve never looked for a job outside of law enforcement but something told me to zip a resume off to The Manor. I’ve been intrigued ever since I heard about it and it seemed like it would be a good fit and I heard from them instantly and I this is just my next calling.”
Aside from working with Sheriff’s Schulteis and Rahn, she also was deputy during the era of Sheriff’s Jack Theusch and current Sheriff Dale Schmidt.
“Deputy Woerner has been a great asset to the Sheriff’s Office during her 23 years of service,” Schmidt said. “Deputy Woerner was instrumental in keeping the Sheriff’s Department connected to the Washington County community which is very important to maintain trust between the citizens and the department. Deputy Woerner’s dedication and positive influence in will be greatly missed.”
Today’s D.A.R.E. conference begins at noon.