29-year police veteran nominated to be next Savage police chief

Elko New Market Police Chief Brady Juell is poised to become the next police chief of the city of Savage.

Pending confirmation from the Savage City Council during Monday’s regular meeting, Juell will step into the role on June 10.

He'll replace Savage Police Chief Rodney Seurer, a 23-year department veteran who is retiring alongside members of his command staff. Former Savage Police Capt. Scott Gordon retired last month and Capt. Bruce Simon is set to retire at the end of May.

During his 29-year career in law enforcement, Juell has been awarded multiple service medals and, according to his LinkedIn, currently serves as a director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and Board President for Shakopee-based Southern Valley Alliance, which supports survivors of domestic violence.

Juell’s time in policing also includes involvement in a deadly officer-involved shooting.

A grand jury declined to indict Juell in connection with the 2014 death of 34-year-old Dawn Pfister, who Juell fatally shot during an incident on Highway 212 in Eden Prairie during his time as a Chaska police sergeant.

Juell was also dismissed from a federal lawsuit brought by Pfister’s family, although the city of Chaska was ordered to pay $1.75 million to settle the lawsuit.

In the new role in Savage, Juell will be tasked with leading a department covering a community with more than six times the population of Elko New Market.

With a new police chief incoming, Savage is also soon to have a new mayor for the first time in nearly two decades.

Janet Williams, elected to the Savage City Council in 2003 and elected mayor in 2007, announced last month she will not seek another term in office.