I can’t say enough about Cottage Grove, and thank you again for this great honor.”

St. Paul Police Commander Rigo Aguirre

That says a lot about our community, that we have so many officers that want to locate here and live here.  It’s a safe community.”

Cottage Grove Public Safety Director Pete Koerner.

At the Oct. 14 regular meeting, the Cottage Grove City Council recognized local resident and St. Paul Police Commander Rigo Aguirre, after he recently received the National Latino Police Officer Association’s (NLPOA) 2023 Lifetime Award at their national conference in Orlando, Fla. To highlight the national award and Aguirre’s service to the community, he was presented with Cottage Grove’s Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award.

“Tonight, I would like to honor St. Paul Police Commander Rigo Aguirre,” said Cottage Grove Public Safety Director Pete Koerner. “In his 20-year career in law enforcement, Commander Aguirre has had numerous assignments, including Homeland Security gang/gun unit, narcotics, property crimes, Sergeant, and he most recently took on a Commander position with the St. Paul Police Department. He’s been involved with the NLPOA since he was a law enforcement student. He has been the treasurer, vice president, and is currently the president of the Minnesota chapter. Rigo is on the NLPOA executive board of directors as well.”

Regarding Aguirre’s recent NLPOA award, he said, “The Lifetime Award is presented to someone who has shown great commitment to the mission and goals of the NLPOA and to the organization. Rigo has certainly achieved that and more. He has given thousands of volunteer hours.”

Koerner described Aguirre as a leader who has consistently given his energy to improving the NLPOA, as well as someone who has promoted growth and success in Minnesota’s Latino community.

“Some might wonder why I’m recognizing a St. Paul Commander,” said Koerner. “He has a lot of professional praises and accolades, and everything that goes along with it. Why I wanted to honor Rigo tonight is he’s a family man that resides in Cottage Grove. Rigo moved from St. Paul to Cottage Grove in 2004. That says a lot about our community, that we have so many officers that want to locate here and live here.  It’s a safe community.”

Koerner added that not only has Aguirre been a good partner to so many in law enforcement, he’s also become a good friend to many in the CGPD. The two originally met when Aguirre made a visit to the Washington County Chiefs of Police Association. He had come on behalf of the NLPOA, looking to invite agencies to get involved in its mission. Koerner ultimately joined the association after being convinced by Aguirre’s charismatic presentation. CGPD has since reached out to Aguirre regarding ways to work with the community.

Aguirre addressed the council, thanking Koerner, the mayor and council members for the honor.

“I appreciate the award and the recognition, not only for me, but for the association,” he said. “The National Latino Police Officer Association has been around 50-plus years nationally, and 20 years here in Minnesota. What it is all about is the partnership. Building this partnership with Cottage Grove has given us so much,” he said. “I do look at Cottage Grove as a great place to live. Many officers do. This is a very safe place to live. I think you may have more officers living in Cottage Grove than anywhere else, including members of my family.”

Noting that Cottage Grove has around a 4-5% Latino population, Aguirre suggested that doesn’t give an accurate picture with all of the development and growth the city is experiencing. He said that the focus needs to not be just on the numbers on paper, but on all the people who come to Cottage Grove to work and use the city on a regular basis for business and pleasure.

“This is a great partnership. I appreciate being here, and I hope we’re going to continue this, partnering up with the police department, with the chief, with the city, and doing bigger and greater things,” said Aguirre. “I can’t say enough about Cottage Grove, and thank you again for this great honor.”

Mayor Myron Bailey presented the award to Aguirre. Reading from the framed certificate, he said, “An Outstanding Citizen Achievement certificate is given to a member of the community for outstanding performance and commitment that has brought credit to the community and connects to the mission of the Cottage Grove Police Department. Presented to Rigo Aguirre, on this 4^th day of October, 2023. On behalf of the City of Cottage Grove and the Department of Public Safety, we recognize your leadership of supporting, promoting, and contributing to the growth and success of the Cottage Grove Hispanic/Latino co