[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 124 (Monday, July 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E693-E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE KRITZECK FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM EMMER

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 21, 2025

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Kritzecks, a 
remarkable Minnesota family whose commitment to public safety spans 
five generations and more than 220 years of combined service in law 
enforcement. The Kritzeck family's legacy of service spans five 
generations and includes time in Stearns, Wright, Hennepin, and Hubbard 
counties.
  The family's law enforcement service began nearly a century ago when 
Paul Kritzeck was elected sheriff of Wright County in November 1930. He 
was re-elected five times and served as sheriff for 22 years. His watch 
ended tragically in 1951 as he was killed while responding to a call 
when his patrol car was struck as he turned onto a county road. The 
collision pushed his vehicle into the path of an oncoming semi which 
struck his vehicle and resulted in his death.
  Paul was not the only member of the Kritzeck family to serve in 
Wright County. His sons, Lawrence ``Brownie'' Kritzeck, and his 
brother, Willard Kritzeck, were Wright County deputy sheriffs while 
their father, Paul, served as sheriff. Willard ended up taking over as 
Wright County Sheriff following his father's passing. He held the title 
for more than 12 years until he became the police chief for Winsted, 
Minnesota in 1963. Brownie also changed departments in 1963 after 
relocating to Stearns County, where he served as the deputy sheriff for 
several years.
  Jack Kritzeck, part of the third generation of Kritzecks to work in 
law enforcement, was a captain in Stearns County from 1967 until he 
retired in 1999. Another family member, Steve Kritzeck, has worked as a 
law enforcement officer in Hennepin County, the Minnesota Bureau of 
Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Department of Commerce Fraud 
Bureau.
  Mark Kritzeck, a member of the fourth generation of Kritzecks to 
serve their community in law enforcement, is a patrol sergeant for the 
city of Eagan, Minnesota. Craig Kritzeck, another member of the family, 
started his career in law enforcement in 2002 and was hired as the 
Police Chief in Nevis, Minnesota in 2004. Later, Craig was hired by the 
Park Rapids Police Department, where he worked until his family moved 
to Cold Spring in 2010.
  Craig now works for the Hubbard County Sheriff's Office where he 
serves as a Deputy. Last month, Craig had the special privilege of 
swearing in the fifth generation of Kritzecks into law enforcement, 
when he deputized his son, Lucas, as a member of the Hubbard County 
Sheriff's department. Inspired by his family's legacy of service, Lucas 
recently completed his associate's degree in applied science in peace 
officer training and education at Alexandria Technical and Community 
College. Following graduation, he passed the state law enforcement 
officers exam and will now complete a 14-week training program with the 
Hubbard County Sheriff's Office.
  The Kritzeck family's story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and 
service. Their 220 years of combined law enforcement reflects not just 
their individual careers, but a family-wide call to protect and uplift 
our communities. On behalf of Minnesota's entire 6th Congressional

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District, I extend our deepest gratitude to the Kritzeck family and 
pray that God will protect them, and all our law enforcement officers, 
as they work to keep our communities safe.

                          ____________________