A Waseca County employee has been named the top correctional officer of the year by the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association.

Ryan Kinniry, a correctional officer for Waseca County Sheriff’s office, was recently awarded Correctional Officer of the Year by the association.

Giving full credit to his coworkers for making the award possible, Kinniry believes he’s only as good as the people on his team.

“Although it’s an individual award, I consider this a department award because we’re a small facility. We all work very hard together. They all deserve this as much as I do,” Kinniry says.

Tim Kinniry, his brother and jail administrator, nominated Ryan Kinniry.

“I nominated him because he is a helluva worker,” says Tim Kinniry. “He was deserving of this award. I’m glad he was chosen.”

Every year, a Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association committee of 14 correctional officers selects a candidate who is a team player, a proven leader, self-motivated, demonstrates quality inmate and management skills and promotes diversity. The winner must also take on extra duties and responsibilities while assisting in the daily operation of the jail.

“He is a great teacher for the younger jailers. He takes care of business and does it properly,” says Waseca County Chief Deputy Brad Milbrath.

Kinniry had the opportunity to participate in the week-long conference hosted by the Sheriffs’ Association at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge near Brainerd. Instead he chose to work and attend only the award ceremony.

What motivates Kinniry?

“I like my job. It’s the people you work with,” he says.

Kinniry works the busy day shift running a county jail that can hold up to 25 inmates and averages 16 to 18 inmates. He is one of five full-time jailers who work around the clock. With days off and vacation, there’s often only one person on duty.

He books people picked up on warrants and often processes people who have just been to court. Just like in the movies, Kinniry takes their pictures and fingerprints and completes a computer background check.

He performs cell checks, escorts inmates, delivers meals and medications, and does the laundry. He supplies the canteen with snacks the inmates can purchase. The jail receives many daily visitors, including probation officers and attorneys. All the while he’s answering phones.

Kinniry also manages the inmates on sentenced to serve and work-release programs. This entails paperwork, tracking work schedules and following up with employers to make sure the inmates are at work.