Virgil “Butch” Steinhorst
Time period: 1951 - 2012
Submitted by: The family of V.H. “Butch” Steinhorst
December 1955. A small family of three (Dad, Mom and son) is about to begin a journey of long days and nights, unknown pats and, most importantly, the expansion of their family. On that day, our father, Virgil H. Steinhorst became a traffic patrolman for Sauk County. He would ultimately become a father of four and mentor to the citizens of the county. Our father believed that all humans are due respect and should be treated with such. As he moved up in the department from patrolman to traffic sergeant to lieutenant, to Chief Deputy and eventually Sheriff, his county family continued to grow as did his immediate family with the addition of two daughters. His advice and help were sought after by many. Lives were touched and changed for the better. His “door is always open” policy, whether it be the door to his office or the door to his own home, was important to him. Making himself available to anyone was not a hard task but a welcome part of the job he loved.
Dad’s community involvement reached far and wide. From leading the MDA ride to attending church socials to raising money for the VFW, handing out Christmas gifts to needy families, to playing softball to encourage camaraderie and good old-fashioned fun, to helping fry up walleye and to raising money for football uniforms for the students at St. Joseph’s School.
His leadership in both his job and community did not to unnoticed by his family. His son and grandson continue to serve as law enforcement officers., and his two nephews served their communities in the same fashion. For a man who though he might be forgotten, to honor him with a mural in the community he so loved and served, would bring this giving full circle.