Adam Gunderson running for Sheriff

My name is Adam Gunderson, and I am running for Clearwater County Sheriff. I have spent my life serving others and working to keep communities safe. If elected, I will bring strong leadership to the Sheriff’s Office and work to make it a trusted partner with the community. I am committed to professionalism, transparency, and public safety. With many years of experience in both the military and law enforcement, I want to ensure the Sheriff’s Office is well-trained, well-led, and guided by service, integrity, and respect for everyone.

I am a retired U.S. Army service member and veteran law enforcement leader, with over forty years of combined experience in public safety and the military. I served 21 years in the Minnesota National Guard, joining in 1997 and retiring in 2018. My military service included deployments to Bosnia from 2003 to 2004 with Stabilization Force 14 (SFOR-14), and to Iraq from 2005 to 2007 for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF 06–08).

After returning from Iraq, I continued my military career with the 1st Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment's Recruit Sustainment Program. As a platoon sergeant, I trained and mentored more than 2,000 soldiers in the Minnesota Army National Guard. In the last three years, I was also a Senior Instructor at the Officer Candidate School, where I helped prepare future Army officers through leadership training and professional development.

I started my law enforcement career in 2001 as a patrol officer with the Perham and Henning Police Departments, serving both communities until 2005. That year, I became Police Chief in Royalton, where I led the department for 14 years and focused on community-based policing. In 2019, I took on the role of Police Chief in Menahga, serving until the end of 2022, when I accepted the same position in Bagley to be closer to my family. Since early 2023, I have been the Police Chief in Bagley, where I continue to focus on professionalism, accountability, and building trust with the community.

Along with more than 21 years of command experience, I have a wide range of law enforcement training and teaching credentials. I am certified to instruct in defensive tactics, firearms, and active shooter response. I completed the FBI Crisis Negotiator Course, which improved my skills in de-escalation and managing critical incidents. I am also a certified Part 107 small drone pilot and trained in the use of thermal imaging for law enforcement. For over 20 years, I have been a voting member of the MN Chiefs of Police Association and have attended its annual Executive Training Institute.

My leadership is based on the seven core Army values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. These values guide how I serve, lead, and take part in the community. I would be honored to use my experience and leadership to serve the people of Clearwater County.

To learn more about the campaign for Clearwater County Sheriff, upcoming town hall meetings, and ways to get involved, visit gundersonforsheriff.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at “Adam Gunderson for Clearwater County Sheriff” for updates and community events.