Posted: 6/28/05
Stemper case resolved; city ponders next move
The case against Caledonia Police Officer Jim Stemper in Buffalo County has been resolved. Stemper pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges in exchange for dismissal of a more serious charge.
On June 17, Stemper offered no contest to charges of failure to obey an officer and reckless driving. He was ordered to pay a fine of $156.20 on the first charge and $367 on the second charge. A charge of obstructing an officer, a Class A misdemeanor, was dismissed.
The charges stem from a September 11 incident in which Stemper and another man were alleged to have driven their motorcycles from Winona County to Buffalo County while being pursued by a Winona County officer for speeding and having loud mufflers. The officer followed them to Georgeís Bar in Bluff Siding, where they fled on foot.
One of the cycles was registered to Stemper, who denied to a Buffalo County deputy on several occasions that he was driving the cycle that night. The officer asked for a statement from Stemper detailing the events of the evening of September 11, but it was not given. The obstruction charges followed on November 30. Stemper had been placed on paid administrative leave November 22 following the filing of the lesser charges. Since his leave began, he has been paid about $25,000, not including benefits.
Neither the city nor Police Chief Randy Shefelbine, who was hired after Stemper was placed on leave, had been contacted by Stemper as of Monday, June 27.
According to city clerk Robert Nelson, the next step will be for the law enforcement committee to meet with the city attorney to determine whether Stemper should be reinstated to the police force should he request it. Mayor Mike Morey and Councilman Paul Fisch serve on the law enforcement committee.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com