State Board & Staff
President
Matthew Hagen
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Matt Hagen has been an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police for 20 years. Since joining Lake Minnetonka Lodge 6 in 1999, he has held nearly every elected position on the board, including 3-terms as lodge president. In 2005 Matt was elected to the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police State Board as the Sgt-At-Arms. He held that position until he was elected as the Vice President in April of 2013. Matt is also the Co-Chair of the National Memorial Committee, which is responsible for the planning, setup and execution of the National Peace Officers Memorial Service in Washington D.C. Matt has been employed by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office since 1999 as a Deputy Sheriff. In his time with Hennepin County, he has worked in the Jail and Court Security Divisions. He is currently a K-9 Handler and is assigned to the Enforcement Services Division-Patrol Unit working overnights.
Vice President
Josef Garcia
Breezy Point Police Department
Originally from Michigan, Joe moved to Minnesota after completing his enlistment in the United States Air Force. He has been an active member of the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police for nearly 10 years. Since 2006, he served as the State Trustee for Lakes Area Lodge 11. Joe works as a Patrol Officer/Paramedic for the City of Breezy Point. He is an instructor of police combatives and intermediate weapons, DWI Enforcement and drug recognition, and a former member of the Crow Wing County Tactical Response Team.
Joe believes strongly in the mission of the FOP as an organization ‘for cops, by cops,’ and will work to foster a fraternal environment that will allow the organization to succeed.
2nd Vice President
Pat Chelmo
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Pat Chelmo has been a member of the Fraternal Order of Police since 2005 when he was hired as a Deputy Sheriff. He’s worked in both Patrol and Investigations and has been a Detective since 2012. As an active member of Lodge 6, he served in various board positions, including serving as the Lodge President. Pat is passionate about cop’s rights, quality of life, and working conditions. He’s an active part of the State Lodge’s efforts to connect with the political and legislative process and maintains contact with the legislative representatives from the state. He can be found around Washington, D.C. a few times a year, including during the annual Day on the Hill and Police Week. He’d love to hear your ideas about the legislative process and needs of cops.
3rd Vice President
Todd Jorgenson
Wright County Sheriff's Office
Todd started with Wright Co in 2006 and has worked as a Bailiff, patrol deputy, and as recreational enforcement. Todd also completed a 2 year assignment and is part of the Emergency Response Team and is a firearms instructor. Todd became president of the Wright County Deputies Association in 2012 and recently was elected as the Lodge 13 President.
Treasurer
Chris Mathisen
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Chris Mathisen has been a member of Lake Minnetonka Lodge 6 since 1998. During that time, he served terms as President, Vice President, State Trustee, Sgt. at Arms and Chaplain. He also served on the State Board as Secretary from 2013-2015. Chris started his career with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office in 1993 as a Detention Deputy. In the 28 years since he has held the ranks of Licensed Deputy, Crime Scene Technician, Sergeant and Lieutenant. He has served in a variety of Divisions and Units within the Sheriff’s Office including the Adult Detention, Court Security, Welfare Building Security, Water Patrol, Civil, Crime Lab, Personnel, Internal Affairs and Patrol.
Secretary
Sergeant-At-Arms
Karol Strey
US Customs and Border Protection
Karol Strey has been an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police for more than 11 years. She joined the Federal Officers Alliance Lodge 4 in early 2009. She has been the State Trustee for Lodge 4 since 2012. A positions she still holds to this day. In 2016 Karol was elected to the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police State Board as the Sgt-At-Arms. Karol started her Law Enforcement career in 1993 when she was hired as an Inspector by U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. She worked in Miami, Florida at the International Airport. In 2000 Karol transferred to the Port of Key West, Florida. In 2005 the Agency became U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She transferred to the Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2008.
National Trustee
Ruben Marichalar
Minnesota State Patrol
Ruben Marichalar has been an active member in the F.O.P. since 2002 and is currently a member of Lakes Area Lodge #11 where he serves as the Local Lodge Treasurer. Ruben has also served on the State Board and has held the positions of 3rd Vice President, 2nd Vice President and Vice President. Ruben has been active in National Police Week since 2004 and has been a member of the Grand Lodge National Memorial Committee since 2008. Ruben and the other committee members play an integral role in the planning and execution of the National Peace Officers Memorial Service held on May 15th of each year.
Ruben is currently employed by the Minnesota State Patrol and is assigned to District 2800 in Brainerd. He works the 2840 beat, Brainerd proper. Ruben has also worked as a Technical Sergeant for District 2000 at Camp Ripley as the EVOC/NEVO Coordinator and as a 3C Verbal Communications/De-escalations Tactics Instructor. He also was a road Trooper in District 3200 in Thief River Falls assigned to several of the beats as well as an FTO, Commercial Vehicle Inspector and as an EVOC Instructor.
Immediate Past President
Gary Cayo
Minnetonka Police Department - Retired
Gary Cayo has been an active member of the Minnesota FOP since 1998. He joined as a charter member of Minnetonka Lodge #6. He served as the State Trustee for Lodge #6 from 1998 to 2001; in 2001 he was elected to serve as the Minnesota State President. As President, Gary formed the Minnesota FOP Foundation a tax-deductible organization developed to assist officers and their families in their time of need. He also was instrumental in the formation of the Minnesota Legal Defense Plan, this plan for a small fee covers most of the officer’s legal fees. Gary is currently the President of the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Foundation and coordinates requests for donations from those in need.
Gary retired from Minnetonka Police Department where he worked for 25 years; he first started his police career with the Mound Police Department where he worked for 6 years. As a patrol officer Gary worked as in the Patrol division, as a General Case Investigator, Hostage Negotiator and Use of Force Instructor. In 1990 he was promoted to Sergeant. As Sergeant his supervised all of the above areas. Since 1978, Gary has volunteered with the Boy Scouts Of America-Learning for Life division. He continues to serve as the State Conference Chairperson for the Law Enforcement Explorers. For his work with the Boy Scouts Gary received the “Silver Beaver” and “William Spurgeon” awards the two highest awards given to a volunteer by the Council.
Past President
Robert Buie
Edina Police - Retired
Bob was a charter member of Lodge 3 and served as the lodge's first Vice President. He served as the State Lodge's first Sgt-At-Arms from 1993-1994 and was elected as the State Lodge's 2nd State President in 1994. Bob served as State President until 1996 and was instrumental bringing the F.O.P. where it is today. Bob continues to be active in the F.O.P. is currently a member of Lake Minnetonka Lodge 6. He serves as the lodge's Sgt-At-Arms and enjoys passing on his knowledge of the F.O.P. to younger members. Bob worked for the Edina Police Department as a patrol officer from 1974 to 1999 and is spending his retired years golfing, traveling and attending F.O.P. events.
Past President
Fred Anderson
St. Paul Park Police - Retired
Fred is retired from the St Paul Park P.D. with 20 years of service. He was on the original SWAT team in South Washington County, served as firearms instructor and use of force instructor. Fred was instrumental in the organization of the Fraternal Order of Police in Minnesota. He served as the 1st President of Lodge #1, 1st President of MN FOP State Lodge, 1st MN FOP National Trustee, and was the 1st recipient of the MN FOP Member of the Year Award. Fred initiated lawful gambling (pulltabs) in Lodge #1. During his tenure as gambling manager, Lodge #1 was able to donate over $250,000 to Law Enforcement and Lodge #1 community. Fred is enjoying golf, fishing and woodworking during retirement.
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Past President
Administrative Coordinator
Val Satre
State Lodge
Valerie has been employed by the Robbinsdale Police Department since 2003. She has served as the Administrative Coordinator for the State Lodge since 2010.