2 Faribault officers retire after combined 6 decades of service

Helping people and making a difference has always been at the core of Sgt. Matt Knutson and Capt. Jason Severson’s careers. They have worked at the Faribault Police Department for 28 1/2 and 30 years, respectively, and after years of serving the community, both officers will be retiring.

Early in life, both men knew they wanted to pursue careers that would allow them to do something different daily.

“I don’t think that would ever be able to handle a Monday through Friday desk job,” Knutson said. “It was something different. Every day is never the same. Dealing with the people, dealing with the weather. It was always a nice variety and mixed things up a little.”

Both having worked as field training officers, they have enjoyed shaping the next generation of police. They are part of a cycle in which the same officers they had trained will help the next ones, and that momentum will continue.

Knutson said he is most proud of the connections the department has made during his years on the force.

In their time working for the FPD, they have seen some change.

“I think technology has changed a ton,” Severson said. “To get the body cameras now, you got a fingerprint reader, you got facial recognition. You got all kinds of stuff we didn’t have when we first started.”

Knutson also said they carry more equipment than they used to, such as battering rams, tasers and barricades, to help them out in the field. Even cell phones became a big tool during their time.

Adjusting to the technological changes has not been the easiest for the older officers.

One challenge the officers have witnessed is the change in public perception of law enforcement following widely broadcasted police violence incidents like the murder of George Floyd. However, the FPD doesn’t see the same kind of opposition as other bigger cities have and has instead received a lot of support from the community.

“It’s trickled down a little bit with attitudes, but then I think on the flip side of that is I think we’re seeing more support from the citizens, too,” Knutson said. “They’re stopping and thanking us. They’re bringing in doughnuts and thank you cards from kids at preschools, daycares, and churches.”

Working together for 28 years, Knutson and Severson have formed a close bond and friendship, going on family camping trips and vacations together. In the past few years, the two have had conversations about retiring at the same time and decided they would be done by the beginning of summer.

In his retirement, Knutson is looking forward to taking it easy, enjoying summer, and getting out of the police mindset.

Police Chief John Sherwin said Knutson has been a major team player on the force.

“Sgt. Knutson is the quintessential working Patrol Sergeant,” Sherwin said. “He’s never afraid to roll up his sleeves and do the work necessary to resolve the situations patrol officers encounter every day. He always involves officers in the decision-making process when they encounter complex calls — and that type of teamwork has a lasting impact on officers.”

Severson will take a few months off and then potentially start teaching law enforcement classes at a college part-time.

Sherwin said Severson will be remembered for stepping up during hard times.

“Capt. Severson has led both the Patrol and Investigations Division, often serving as acting chief in my absence, including during the initial days of last years flooding,” Sherwin said. “He’s a solid, well-rounded leader who will be missed as a steady presence.”

The two officers will be greatly missed by the department.

“Retirement is a time of celebration, but it’s always an organizational challenge when you lose the combined experience of nearly 6 decades of law enforcement in the same week,” Sherwin said. “Capt. Severson and Sgt. Knutson are model cops who not only work in the community they serve, but raised their families here, built connections, and will have a lasting impact.”