In my profession we are called upon to help, serve, defend and stand up for the unfortunate or people who can’t do it for themselves, for whatever reason that may be.

It is kind of odd to think back and realize that is exactly how my dad brought me up to act each and every day. He did it through his words but, most importantly, through his actions. He lived what he preached.

He was a financial advisor, but he was so much more than that because of the relationships he built with the people he helped. The people he served would be having the best or even the worst day of their lives, yet one of the first calls they would make would be to Marlin. He knew what to say, whatever the situation.

I never thought I could do what he did; he was quite literally a legend in his company.

Those qualities stayed with me, unknown to me and simmered under the surface until I found my passion.

I never knew I wanted to be in law enforcement until after I graduated college. I never knew it would turn into such a life-changing passion. So, for anyone who is reading this and is confused about their future, it doesn’t matter what your age. I was right there with you.

When I was 22 years old, I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in communications and journalism. I thought I wanted to be the next Pat Powers and be the local radio guy for wherever I landed. I thought that was my calling to live the life my dad set the example for.

However, life happened, and I had a family that needed to be cared for. I decided that I just needed a job that could turn into a career. I found that the Iowa Falls Police Department was hiring, and I got my application turned in just in time.

Once I was luckily hired and went through all the training, I found that people were calling and talking to police officers just to talk. They were talking about their days, good or bad. They were calling to quite literally just vent. I got in the habit of asking those citizens, “Do you feel better?” and if they answered “No,” I told them to call back tomorrow, and we would keep talking until they did.

This is the point where I realized that I could be that impactful person I thought I was going to be as the local radio voice.

Instead, I’d do it through being in law enforcement.

I found that I was doing those same things that my dad taught me to do, but just in a different medium. Instead of his dress shirt and work tie, I was wearing my gun belt and badge. It was also at this time that I knew I wanted to be back in Hamilton County, serving the people that I grew up with.

I was lucky enough to be hired by Sheriff Dennis Hagenson in 2015 and I have tried to do my best to serve the people of Hamilton County to the best of my ability, with the measuring stick always being my dad and how he would treat the people who trusted him and even those who may not always agree with him.

Once I found where I could use my passion, I cultivated it by doing whatever I could to serve the community I grew up in. Whether that be by creating “Books and Badges” to becoming a DARE officer to just being available to anyone who needed to talk and vent.

This wasn’t, isn’t and never will be special to just me; this is what all law enforcement officers do, most just don’t like to talk about it.

Hamilton County is lucky to have so many quality law enforcement officers. These men and women have found their passion and are using it to the best of their God-given abilities.

Knowing this was my passion, I decided to continue my education by getting my master’s degree through Dordt University. I never enjoyed school until I found what I loved. It’s odd what passion can do for you and your mindset.

I was incredibly fortunate to be elected the Hamilton County Sheriff in November 2024, and Sheriff Doug Timmons allowed me to learn on the job from him until it was time to take over. I continue to strive to make the people, and especially my dad, proud by continuing the legacy that he set forth.

It may be in a different profession for you, but how you treat people can shine through at any job or career.

For anyone reading this, I don’t want to be “that” guy. But find your passion. Find what you are good at. Everyone is different and that is beautiful. Find what makes you tick and make a career out of it and a difference with that. It could be as a doctor, a lawyer, a welder, a construction worker, a mechanic; the possibilities are quite literally endless.

Don’t pigeonhole yourself into what you “think” is the next step. Don’t let the world try and tell you what you should be doing. Find a profession that truly makes you happy and makes a difference and then that happiness will shine through.

Your legacy will live on through how you treat people.

Make it a great day!

Alex Pruismann is Hamilton County Sheriff.