James R. Trudeau

Age 73 of Forest Lake, died on November 16, 2013 surrounded by his family. Jim was the Chief of Police of Forest Lake, Sheriff of Washington County and Executive Director of the Minnesota Sheriffs Association. Preceded in death by parents, Fran and Kay Trudeau; brother, Jack Trudeau; granddaughter, Isabella. Survived by his loving wife, Carol; children, Kelly (Jim) Novak, Kari (Pat) Munson, Kristi (Ken) Capeti, Dan (Rebecca) Trudeau, Brent (Jenna) Boyd, Laura (Dave) Boyd Beise, and Aimee (John) Hulsing; 15 grandchildren; Lauren, Taylor, Packy, Lexi, Hunter, Haley, Maura, Jack, Mason, Maya, Gavin, Iris, Hazel, Owen, Evie; sister, Kathy Rone; nephews, Scott (Linda) Trudeau, Jack Trudeau, Kevin (JoAnn) Trudeau, Mike (Kelly) Trudeau and Jonanthon Linner, and many other family and friends. Jim is a 29-year veteran of law enforcement. He started as a patrolman in his hometown of Forest Lake, Minnesota in 1965. He was promoted to Chief of Police two years later and served at the position for 11 years. In 1978, Trudeau was elected Sheriff of Washington County. He was voted to three more terms holding the office for nearly 16 years. Trudeau initially trained at the Chicago Police Academy where he received a Special Award for Bravery commendation from the Chicago Police Department. He is also a graduate of the National Sheriffs Institute at the University of Southern California and the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He has received additional training through the Bureau of Criminal-Apprehension and a special five week course in drug enforcement in Broward County, Florida. As past president of the Washington County Chiefs of Police Association, Trudeau was twice elected president of the Metropolitan Sheriffs Association. He also served as president of the Minnesota State Sheriffs Association in 1989 being the first Washington County Sheriff to be elected to the position. He was appointed by two governors from different parties to sit on the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission. He served for five years and left his mark as a proponent for stiffer penalties for law breakers. Trudeau has belonged to many committees on the state and national level. He has chaired the scholarship and drug enforcement and education committees for the Minnesota Sheriffs Association. He also served as chairman of the Minnesota State Jail Task Force. After retirement from law enforcement in 2002, Jim and his wife, Carol, leased the Forest Lake Castlewood golf course and ran the course for the community from 2007 through 2012. Trudeau has received numerous awards during his career. In 1977, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Lions Club. He has received the states top awards for police work from the VFW, Distinguished Citizen Award (1977), and the American Legion, Peace Officer of the Year (1984). In addition, he was voted Boss of the Year by the Stillwater Jaycees in 1985. Among many other public service awards, Trudeau was recipient of the 1989 Excellence in County Government Award given by the Association of Minnesota Counties. In 1993, the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association presented him with their Award of Honor. See list of additional awards below. Visitation 4-8 PM Friday, November 22nd at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Drive, Forest Lake. Funeral Service 11 AM Saturday, November 23rd at Maranatha Assembly of God, 24799 Forest Blvd, Forest Lake, with visitation one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau, 244 N. Lake Street, Forest Lake, co-founded by Jim in 1977.