Biography

Sheriff Troy Heck was born and raised in Bloomington, Minnesota. While living in the Twin Cities area, Troy maintained a connection to greater Minnesota through time spent pursuing interests in the outdoors. Troy graduated from Bloomington Kennedy High School in 1988. Troy attended Normandale Community College and earned a degree in Law Enforcement in 1993. After graduating, Troy sought to obtain law enforcement employment in greater Minnesota.

Sheriff Heck began his law enforcement career in Benton County in 1994 as a patrol deputy. During his career in Benton County, Troy worked as a patrol deputy, was assigned to the Central Minnesota Drug Task Force as an investigator, was assigned to the Stearns-Benton SERT Team as a crisis negotiator, was promoted to Detective Investigator, was promoted to Detective Sergeant, was promoted to Chief Deputy in 2007, and elected Sheriff in 2014. Troy has worked in all areas of the Sheriff's Office and investigated all levels of person and property crimes, including several homicides.

As Sheriff, Troy has led the Sheriff’s Office since 2015, emphasizing the importance of curbing violent crime, enforcing drug laws, working cooperatively with public safety partners, and building closer relationships with the community.

Sheriff Heck and his wife, Bonnie, have two sons, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. When not at work, Troy enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, playing hockey, and coaching youth sports.

Sheriff Heck actively participates in the community. Troy is a member of the Sauk Rapids Riverside Lion's Club, a former Secretary in the Foley Kiwanis Club, and Treasurer of Duelm Sports, Park, and Rec. He is an active member in his church, where he has served in several leadership roles. Troy is also a member of the National Rifle Association.

Sheriff Heck believes that his broad base of experience has prepared him to lead the Benton County Sheriff's Office into the future. “I have had the privilege of living in both a metropolitan area and a rural community. Working for the Benton County Sheriff's Office has further enhanced my connection to the rural way of life. Benton County has a unique mix of metropolitan, small town, and rural populations. My first hand experience with each of these lifestyles allows me to better relate to people and how to best apply law enforcement resources to their unique individual needs. I have also had the privilege of working in a number of different assignments within the Sheriff's Office. This experience has given me a deeper and complete understanding of the workings of the office.”

Sheriff Heck believes that working cooperatively with the community will allow law enforcement to be more effective in providing public safety. Sheriff Heck has worked with several neighborhood watch groups to build rapport and make better connections with law enforcement. “Involved citizens are the greatest asset a law enforcement agency can have. I would like to continue to build and enhance the connections the sheriff's office has with the citizens of Benton County.”