Biography
A Commitment to Excellence
Hello, my name is Chad Koranda and I am asking for your support in the election for the Office of Sheriff of Pierce County. As Sheriff, I will maintain the professional service all residents of Pierce County expect and deserve.
I was born in St. Paul, MN to Dale (Butch) and Carol Koranda. I'm the youngest of three boys. I grew up on the east side of St. Paul and graduated from Harding High School. After graduation, I attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls. As a student athlete, I was a member of the football team and recognized as a WIAC scholar athlete. My college studies focused on my major, Geography and double minors in Cartography and Criminal Justice.
In college, I focused on the human aspect of Geography. Specifically, how a person’s spatial location influences the decisions they make. During the course of my studies, I began to understand that a person’s decisions are shaped in large part by the social, cultural, and economic circumstances they find themselves in.
In 2004, I began an internship with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Land Management Department. The purpose of the internship was to combine geography with law enforcement. It was during this internship that I found out how much I enjoyed the one on one interaction with people and the “hands on” help that a sheriff's office can provide to its citizens. As the internship was coming to an end, I asked then Sheriff Everett Muhlhausen,to sponsor me through the Wisconsin Basic Law Enforcement Recruit Academy. Sheriff Muhlhausen agreed and upon my graduation from the Academy in 2005, I was hired by the Sheriff’s Office working in the jail and dispatch center.
After working in the Jail and Dispatch Center for 3 years, I took a position as a Patrol Deputy with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. In 2012, I was promoted to Patrol Sergeant and shortly after, I completed the Supervision of Police Personnel training from the University of Northwestern, Center for Public Safety, Evanston Illinois.
In addition to my duties as a Patrol Sergeant, I am also a member of the Project Lifesaver Program and Emergency Response Unit. I am a certified instructor for the State of Wisconsin specializing in Defense and Arrest Tactics (DAAT), more commonly known as “use of force”. I am also certified to teach General Patrol and General Jail Operations. I was recently selected by the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, Badger Sheriffs and Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association to work with four other DAAT instructors to develop a new training focusing on an officer’s duty to intervene.
Most people might recognize me for the work I do as a certified D.A.R.E. Instructor. Each year I educate over 3,500 students in 7 different schools throughout Pierce County. The program teaches students how to live safe and responsible lives while treating everyone with respect. I also serve on the State of Wisconsin D.A.R.E Officers Association Board as the State of Wisconsin Youth Coordinator.
My time outside of work is spent much like everyone else. I am married to Maureen (Caturia) of Hastings, MN. Maureen and I have 4 year old twin daughters, Lauren and Claire, who keep us on our toes. What little free time we have is spent enjoying the outdoors and picking up toys.
If elected Sheriff, I will use the many skills that I have acquired during my time with Pierce County to lead a balanced department. My ability to develop and maintain relationships with people from all walks of life will benefit the Office and community for years to come. I will encourage a focus on training and development of our most important commodity; the employees of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. The focus on training our employees will ensure that we continue to transition and change with the future of law enforcement.
Law enforcement has certainly gone through some challenging times over the last few years. Public criticism of all forms of government, especially law enforcement is at a height that has not been seen for decades. As your Sheriff I will engage critics and supporters and build relationships that can benefit the citizens of Pierce County as a whole. My entire life, my entire career has prepared me for this wonderful opportunity. As Sheriff of Pierce County I will build and maintain relationships that encourage professionalism and commitment delivered with dignity to all citizens of Pierce County.