By Suzy Rook, Waseca County News

Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the suicide of New Richland Police Chief Scott Eads.

Chief Deputy Todd Earl said the department received a call at 5:47 p.m. Sept. 12 from the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office, seeking assistance in locating Eads. Minnesota State Patrol also helped in finding Eads, 34, who was found just outside of the city of Freeborn.

Waseca County Chief Deputy Trevor Kanewischer said in an email that Eads was “well liked and a very kind man.”

“He was most known and I will remember him most for his phrase ‘Bless your heart’ after almost every conversation or help you would provide him,” Kanewischer said. “He served the New Richland community well and will be certainly missed. My heart goes out to his wife Candace and his two children.”

Earl said the medical examiners were involved and the investigation continues, but law enforcement has no reason to believe the manner of death was anything other than suicide.

“Suicides are kind of a different nature,” Earl said. “There is so much pain that goes along with them for those who are left, so it’s definitely a different nature of incident and how we deal with them.”

He mentioned that law enforcement does have a high rate of suicide. Waseca County Sheriff’s Office released news of the death early on Sept. 13.

Waseca County Sheriff’s Office called Eads part of the county’s “law enforcement family.” Kanewischer said Eads was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, South Central Lodge #16, based in Waseca.

Earl said his office has offered help to Waseca County Sheriff’s Office in covering New Richland or emergency situations in the county.

“We are always available to back up the officers,” he said. “No matter the emergency, we would do that.”

New Richland’s police chief, Scott Eads, died Monday in an apparent suicide, according to a press release from the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office.

The full text of the press release is as follows:

“It is with heavy heart that we share news that Chief Scott Eads of the New Richland Police Department took his own life on the evening of Sept. 12 in rural Freeborn County.

“Chief Eads leaves behind a wife, Candace and two young children. Sheriff Milbrath has been in contact with the New Richland city administrator, and the Sheriff’s Office will be handling all calls and police matters for the city of New Richland until further notice.

“Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers while they work through this difficult period. Chief Eads was a part of our Law Enforcement family here in Waseca County, so obviously this is shocking news for all involved. If you have any questions or information, please feel free to Contact Sheriff Milbrath or myself anytime.”

The Albert Lea Tribune will have more information as this story develops.