Troy Wellman

Sheriff Troy Wellman is Sheriff of Moody County, South Dakota. Troy has spent the majority of his life in the community that he serves, growing up on a dairy farm in western Moody County. He graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement from Western Dakota Technical Institute’s Law Enforcement program. Troy started at the Moody County Sheriff’s office in 1997 and was elected Sheriff in 2006. He has been married to his beautiful wife for 21 years and has two kids and seven grandchildren. In his free time he likes to camp with his family and go on cruises with his wife. He is active in his local church. Every September, he grows a beard to fulfill the role as Santa at various events and homes around Christmas time.

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What is your current position?

Sheriff of Moody County

What inspired you to choose this career path?

Since about 7 years old I knew that I wanted to be a Law Enforcement Officer. I am a servant through and through, and this job is perfect fit for my God-given abilities and talents.

How did you hear about the Claremont Institute?

I was invited to the Sheriffs Fellowship in November of 2023.

What is your fondest memory of the Claremont Institute?

Being in California for the first time ever in my life. Being right on the beach was amazing. The level of thinking in the political arena and the history that came with it.

Do you believe the Claremont Institute’s unique approach to a Sheriffs Fellowship will become even more relevant in the years to come?  Why?

Yes, the amount of knowledge that they have on the system and how it is supposed to work vs. how it is working is both intriguing to me as well as frustrating.

What would the artifact be, if you could hold one piece of history from the early founding of our country and why?

The Bill of Rights. In the original form, not the watered-down version that we currently are following.

What qualities do you believe are necessary for effective leadership?

The ability to be fair but decisive. We need to show our people that quality in our profession and in life in general. We need to always treat people like we would want our mother, father, child, wife etc. to be treated in the same circumstances. We deal with good people who make bad decisions, not bad people.  

What do you believe has led to our established culture redefining itself in the 21^st Century?

The inability to agree to disagree and the ability for everyone to be a keyboard warrior. The inability to be able to have your own beliefs, just to be torn down from the other side simply because you do not think the way they do.

What do you believe are the top three law enforcement issues currently facing America?

Drugs, staffing, and funding.

What do you believe can be done to prioritize hardening soft targets in today’s volatile environment, i.e., schools?

Training, funding, and thinking outside of the box.

How does a small population, from your own personal experience, react and deal with the loss of an officer in the line of duty?

Unfortunately, I have seen this firsthand this year. It was amazing the support and love shown to us during this time. Yet we need to remain steadfast in our job and our performances, not let our emotions out or control us and our actions.

Do you have a favorite quote?  Why does it resonate with you?

Leviticus 19:18. We must always treat someone like they are someone’s: brother, mother, father, sister, child, etc. In a matter that we would want our own family to be dealt with.

What is the most distinctive attribute/character of the people in South Dakota’s Moody County you genuinely admire?

We still hold steadfast to Midwestern values: sir, mam, the shake of a hand.

What would the message be, if you could communicate one thing to politicians and Americans alike about the importance of policing?

Without Law Enforcement, the country will eventually turn on itself. You also must have Leadership within the Law Enforcement community willing to stand up for what this country was founded on, or it will be a slow fade and the evil will win. We can’t put the genie back in the bottle once it is let out.

At the end of a stressful day what brings you peace of mind?

Just being able to relax with my wife. I like to be in the field for harvest time as that is my relaxation, as well as camping.