PATROL STAFF

Patrol Staff

 

Officer Ted Phillips

Officer Ted Phillips has been with the Oelwein Police Department in either a full time or part time status for 9 years. Before joining the OPD, he was a Sheriff's Deputy as well as an Officer on a federal Indian Reservation in Arizona. In Officer Phillips' 20+ years in Law Enforcement, he has served in many rolls including Investigator, SRT Team member and a Clandestine Lab Investigator. He also received his pilot's license and was a part of the Air Unit in Arizona. Officer Phillips is proud of being part of the Law Enforcement community here in Oelwein and looks forward to serving our city for many more years to come. 

 


 

 

Officer Charity Heller

Officer Charity Heller is an Oelwein native. She attended Wings Park Elementary, Oelwein Middle School and Oelwein High School which she graduated from in May of 2011. After high school, Officer Heller worked for Full Circle Services while attending Hawkeye Community College full-time. While at Hawkeye, she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and completed her practicum hours with the Oelwein Police Department. Officer Heller graduated from Hawkeye in the spring of 2014 with an Associate’s Degree in Police Science. In April of 2016, she was hired with the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in Tama, IA. She attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, IA, graduating in July of 2016. Officer Heller worked for Meskwaki as a Patrol Officer for two years and a K9 Patrol Officer for one year. Officer Heller joined the Oelwein Police Department in April of 2019. She enjoys spending her free time with her family, traveling, working out and watching sports. Officer Heller is happy to be back in Oelwein and looks forward to giving back to the community that she grew up in.

 


 

 

Officer Codi Wurzer

Officer Codi Wurzer is from the Waucoma Iowa area where he grew up on his family farm. Officer Wurzer graduated from the Turkey Valley Community School District in 2019. He joined the Waucoma Fire Department at the age of 16 and continues to assist them with various projects to this date. After High School Officer Wurzer attended Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo where he graduated with his Associates in Applied Science for Police Science in the spring of 2021, in addition he completed his practicum hours with the Waterloo Police Department. Officer Wurzer joined the Oelwein Police Department in June of 2021. He attended and graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy at Hawkeye Community College in October of 2021. Officer Wurzer continues to help on the Family Farm and in his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, outdoor activities, sports, and weightlifting. Officer Wurzer is excited to join our community and to continue working in the field of public safety to keep our community safe.


 

 

Officer Mathew Schuler

Officer Mathew Schuler was born in Houston Texas and raised in Eastern North Carolina. Officer Schuler swore into the United States Marine Corps in 2012 and served 8 total years. During his time in the Marines, he was able to visit many different countries around the world and served on two unit deployments. He Finished his last few years on active duty as his unit's weapon tactics and employment instructor along with being a combat vehicle operations instructor. Officer Schuler is currently in school working towards his degree in Criminal Justice. He joined the Oelwein Police Department in 2021. Officer Schuler enjoys being with his family, playing softball, woodworking, camping, and just being outside.


 

Officer William Ward

Officer Will Ward comes to us from Vernon County Wisconsin where he served as a reserve Deputy for two years in the Sheriff’s Department. Officer Ward has worked full time with individuals with developmental disabilities in varying capacities for the past 20 years in Wisconsin. Prior to moving to Wisconsin from his home state of Missouri, he served 1 year in the Army Reserves before going active duty and spending 5 and a half of 7 years overseas. Officer Ward enjoys real football (his words, not ours) and is a huge fan of Liverpool FC. He is an avid outdoorsman and regularly seeks out new adventures in hiking, camping and kayaking.

 

 


Officer Benjamin Scott

Officer Benjamin Scott is from the Des Moines area, where he was a police officer in Mitchellville, IA. Officer Scott has spent time in the trades as an electrician and has owned multiple businesses in the fitness industry before following his dreams to become a police officer. In his free time, Officer Scott enjoys spending time with family, friends and his dog. He enjoys hunting, outdoor activities, sports, weightlifting, reading, and building firearms. Officer Scott is excited to be a part of the community and continue to grow and learn to help better not only himself, but the safety and protection of the community.


GVoshell

Officer Gage Voshell

 

Officer Gage Voshell is a lifelong resident of Oelwein.  He graduated from Oelwein High School where he lettered in multiple sports to include; Football, Wrestling, Baseball and Track.  Officer Voshell then attended Hawkeye Community College where he obtained his AS Degree in Police Science. After graduating from Hawkeye Community College, Officer Voshell was hired by the Oelwein Police Department in August of 2023.  After being hired, he attended the Hawkeye Regional Law Enforcement Academy where he obtained his Iowa Law Enforcement Certification as a "Certified Peace Officer".   In his spare time, Officer Voshell enjoys hunting, working out, and spending time with friends and family. 


Reserve Officers

Jay Perkins

Steve Vine

   

Jim Prouty

 

Michael Burkhart