Meet Pat Pickar

Family

Pickar is a lifelong resident of Crow Wing County from Fort Ripley, who graduated from Brainerd High School in 1994 and currently resides in the city of Baxter.  Pickar has been married for nearly twenty years to his wife Angie. They have two daughters, Chayse (16) and Iyana (13) and are students in the Brainerd School District.  Pickar has been a member of the local Catholic parishes and his family belongs to All Saints Catholic Church.  Pickar and his family enjoy spending their time together at sporting events and as much time as possible boating on many of the beautiful lakes in the county.

Community Involvement

Dedication to service and helping others started as a youth for Pickar as a Boy Scout Explorer.  In high school, Pickar enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard and served his country for seven years.  Pickar states he was inspired to serve his country after seeing his father, Tim Pickar, serve in the military for more than two decades and knowing his grandfather served in the Korean War. Tim, who retired after twenty-nine years as a deputy sheriff with Crow Wing County, states that, “Answering a call of duty to serve, is a selfless act and I’m proud of Pat for his military and law enforcement service.”

While involved in local civic and community groups, Pickar states he has met and worked alongside many great leaders and is excited to continue to work collaboratively with them on our community needs in the lakes area.  Pickar has a wide range of community involvement from Relay for Life, Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, Toys for Kids to a coach for youth athletics.  Pickar states, “I believe in servant leadership and that a sheriff needs to have a commitment to community, that will be mirrored by our team at the sheriff’s office.”  

Community Service

Additional community service includes member of the Brainerd Sports Boosters, Sertoma Sunrise Club, American Legion, Fraternal Order of Police, Brainerd Lakes YMCA Board of Directors, past president of the United States Police Canine Association; Region 12, Soup Kitchen volunteer, Life Member National Rifle Association and past member of Kiwanis Club.  

Longtime friend Troy Schreifels said, “What I most appreciate about Pat is his willingness to get involved.  A good way to know the pulse of the community is to volunteer, and he exemplifies that.  He is sincere and genuine in his intentions.”

Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office

Pickar has been with the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office for more than twenty years, serving in numerous divisions within the organization.  Prior to being hired as a full time deputy sheriff, Pickar interned with the sheriff’s office, worked as a correctional officer at the jail, seasonal deputy assigned to boat and water, and a 911 dispatcher.  As a deputy, Pickar started as a school resource officer for the Pequot Lakes and Crosby School Districts while also serving as the contract deputy for the City of Emily.  During Pickar’s patrol division assignment, he was assigned to the K9 Unit for twelve years working with K9 Nike and K9 Oakley.  Pickar spent four years as an operator and sniper on the Tactical Response Team.  Pickar is a Field Training Officer and continuing education instructor.  Pickar was promoted to investigator, working as a narcotics agent, assigned to the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division.  Pickar spent two years assigned to the Transport Division and has invested his experience to train others as a law enforcement instructor at the Central Lakes College Campus for 10 years.  

Pickar completed the Police Management and Supervision training through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in 2006.  In 2016, Pickar completed the Chief of Police Associations courses in Officer Leadership and Development; and attended the Leadership Academy at Camp Ripley. With these qualifications, Pickar knows he has the training and experience to lead as your sheriff.