Steve Quill, Monticello, was recently named Water Patrol Deputy of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He's a boat and water safety deputy for all of Wright County and is the department firearms training officer.A native of Paynesville, Quill attended Alexandria Technical College and has a degree in law enforcement. Quill's water career with Wright County began two years after he signed on with the department in 1973. State statutes made sheriff's departments responsible for accident and evidence recovery. With 160 lakes and two rivers in Wright County, the water patrol work load is high.
In 1975, Quill founded the department's dive team. He is certified in both open water and ice diving and has completed a number of other courses, including a rescue class involving the use of personal watercraft. Today, the force has 15 certified divers and 46 volunteer lake patrol members.
Five years ago, Quill became Wright County's water safety deputy. Quill is involved in one of two of the department's water teams that patrols up to 12 lakes a day in the county. He cruises lakes and rivers on a Polaris personal water craft, checking for life jackets, intoxicated boaters, and boat registration.
Steve Quill, second from right, received the Water Patrol Deputy of the Year award recently. Pictured with Quill are Wright County Reserve Deputy William Jones, Wright County Sheriff Don Hozempa, Quill, and DNR Boat and Water Safety Coordinator Kim Elverum.