Police organization holds celebration

What can be better than delicious barbecue, discounts on drinks, bean bag tournaments, horse races, live music, and auctions of signed Justin Jefferson and Kirill Kaprizov jerseys?

The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #16 had all of that and more at The Mill in Waseca Saturday, March 25.

Starting at 10:30 a.m., the lodge hosted a bean bag tournament. It took a little longer than anticipated to decide the winners, but in the end, the duo of Cody Hyatt and Nick Sillman took first prize, while Whitney Reim and Bradley Casper placed second and Nolan Wetzel and Gabe Androli settled for third.

Universal Sports Auctions collaborated with the Fraternal Order of Police to hold a silent auction. The main items for sale were sports memorabilia ranging from signed football and hockey jerseys (including a custom Waseca Bluejays jersey) to portraits of legendary athletes.

There were food trucks available all day long, starting with Lucia’s Cocina of Waseca from 10 a.m. to noon, a Breakfast Menu food truck, and Smokin’ Barrel BBQ of Albert Lea later in the day.

Other activities included horse races, a gun raffle, and “Sure Shot Tactical,” a firearms simulator. The main event was IV Play, who performed from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #16 is an organization that covers a 12-county area including Waseca, Mankato, Albert Lea, and as far north as Eagan. Their main mission is to provide members an opportunity to support and interact with fellow law enforcement agencies as well as give back to their local communities.

“It’s made of different types of law enforcement, whether they’re police or sheriff’s offices,” lodge president and Waseca County Sheriff member Serena Frazier explained. “We get together like a legion or VFW.”

While some of the lodge members were at the event, many more locals from Waseca, Janesville, and other surrounding areas volunteered.

The lodge raises money for itself and its several communities. For example, it sponsors activities like “Shop with a Cop” and “Badges and Bobbers.” 

“We’re just trying to give back to the community as well as ourselves when we need help,” Frazier added.

One such example of helping out fellow officers was when Waseca officer Arik Matson was shot in early 2020; the order helped out the Matson family and, to this day, there is a link on their website to a Caring Bridge blog with updates on Matson’s recovery.

The event the order put on at the Mill last Saturday was “six months in the making,” according to Frazier. “We had to book the venue and the band back in August of last year, because everything gets booked up quick,” she elaborated. “There were thirteen sponsors that helped us pay for the band and different items going on throughout the day.”

Proceeds from the event at The Mill will benefit the lodge and the local communities. “All the money we make from the gun raffles and all that will go back to the community for helping anyone that needs it,” Frazier said. “They can always reach out to us to donate or if they are looking for something, and we can help them, we will.

“We want to make sure the public knows that we’re good people,” she concluded. “We are willing to help and give back.”