Former McLeod County chief deputy appointed police chief in Northfield

Former McLeod County Chief Deputy Mark Taylor is taking the reins in Northfield. Taylor was appointed police chief for the city of approximately 19,000 earlier this week.

Ironically, one of his duties later this year will include ensuring an attempted bank robbery goes smoothly and safely. Northfield is home to the annual Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration, in which the James-Younger gang’s failed raid of the First National Bank is re-enacted several times.

The festival is a big draw, Taylor said. “It’s a really fun event for families and people to come in and see.”

Taylor joined Northfield’s police department in August 2007, after a November 2006 defeated election bid to become McLeod County’s sheriff. Scott Rehmann, a former Glencoe police officer, won the election.

Taylor worked for the McLeod County Sheriff’s Office for about 20 years, and was chief deputy under Sheriff Wayne Vinkemeier for about eight years. He, his wife, Suzette, and his three children all grew up in Hutchinson.

“I’d be lying to you if I said it wasn’t a difficult move,” Taylor said, “It was difficult for me personally and professionally.”

For the full story, see the Leader’s April 29 print edition.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)