Retired 911 dispatcher Wayne Betcher receives Service Above Self award

Red Wing Rotary Club recognized on Tuesday retired Goodhue County employee Wayne Betcher as one of three recipients of the 2025 Service Above Self award. Betcher was employed by the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office from 1991 to 2024 as a public safety telecommunicator (911 dispatcher). He retired with the rank of sergeant, supervising the telecommunications team, ensuring emergency response efficiency, and mentoring generations of telecommunicators.

In nominating Betcher, Goodhue County Sheriff Marty Kelly and Emergency Services Captain Chad Steffen note specific accomplishments in his distinguished career. Betcher led the implementation and maintenance of computer-aided dispatch, a records management system, a jail management system, and many other integrations of important public safety software, which are still in use today.

Kelly says of Betcher, “He wasn’t just a dispatcher—he was the person everyone relied on. Wayne’s dedication, hard work, and willingness to go above and beyond make him the perfect choice for this award.”

In addition to his exemplary work as a County telecommunicator, Betcher took on regional leadership roles representing Goodhue County, serving as a policy advisor and training officer with the Southeast Minnesota Emergency Communications Board.