Friend Remembers Sartell Police Officer Joe Schmitz [AUDIO]

Sartell Police Officer Joe Schmitz died Thursday (3/27) from complications from neck surgery. Schmitty, as his friends and family called him, had been a dedicated member of the Sartell Police Department since 2012.

According to a statement by the Sartell Police Department, he served 19 years with the Paynesville Police Department and also worked part-time for the Cold Spring-Richmond Police Department.

Officer Schmitz is survived by his wife Stacy Landborg-Schmitz and their 4-year-old son.  An account has been established under the name 'Joe Schmitz 7907' at Central Minnesota Credit Union.

Townsquare Media's Steve Lahr was a close friend and took some time to reflect on 'Schmitty.'

What kind of guy was he?

What kind of husband and father was he?

Please keep Officer Schmitz, his family, friends, and his fellow peace officers in your thoughts and prayers.  As a resident of Sartell, this is a huge loss for not only our community but all of Central Minnesota.

The Sartell Fire Department took his son for a ride in the fire truck following his tearful goodbye to his dad Thursday afternoon.

The writer -- Chad Taylor -- is Operations Manager for Townsquare Media of St. Cloud, a volunteer fireman and a husband and father. He manages WJON's sister station Mix 94.9.