Carver County Sheriff · Progress with Integrity
A 22-year Carver County resident and 25-year public safety professional, Jessica has served this community from the ground up—starting as a 911 Dispatcher right here in Carver County. She's ready to lead with experience, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the people she serves.
About Jessica
Jessica's career in public safety began in 2000 as a 911 Dispatcher at the Carver County Sheriff's Office—the same community she's called home for 22 years. After six years as the critical communication link between residents and first responders, she transitioned to the Hopkins Police Department, where she served as a patrol officer, investigator, and became their first-ever School Resource Officer.
Building the SRO program from the ground up, Heger focused on internet safety, driver education, school security assessments, and—most importantly—meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff.
Jessica's dedication to service has been recognized through numerous commendations throughout her career. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Melissa Schmidt Community Service Award from the Minnesota Association of Women Police—an honor that highlights her commitment to community-centered policing.
In 2022, Jessica joined the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau as a Special Agent, co-developing a statewide Auto Theft Prevention Lending Library with over $500,000 in equipment available to agencies across Minnesota. In January 2025, she became a Special Agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, assigned to the Financial Crimes and Fraud Section, where she developed a statewide scrap metal theft program and serves on the BCA's Crime Scene Team.
Her husband serves as Fire Chief—together, they bring a rare, dual-perspective understanding of what public safety means to families in this community.
Education & Professional Development: Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Police Science from St. Mary's University, an Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement from Normandale Community College, and a Supervision Certificate from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Leadership Team
Jessica Heger is joined by Assistant Chief of Police Rudy Perez — a career law enforcement leader with over two decades of executive command experience. Together they bring complementary strengths to the Carver County Sheriff's Office.
Rudy Perez
Chief Deputy
Leadership Team
Chief Deputy · Assistant Chief of Police
A Carver County resident and committed advocate for effective policing and community safety.
Assistant Chief of Police Rudy Perez has devoted more than two decades to a distinguished law-enforcement career. His broad experience includes community patrol, drugs-gang detail investigations, and service as a detective in the Threat Assessment Unit/Mental Health Team. In these roles he was primarily working for the Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD), where he helped safeguard more than half a million students and tens of thousands of employees across more than 1,500 locations throughout Los Angeles County.
After being promoted to lieutenant, Perez served as adjutant to the chief of police and commanded operations in East and South Central Los Angeles County. Meanwhile, frequent visits to family in Minnesota led him to seeking a job in his "second home". In 2023, he became assistant chief of police with the Golden Valley Police Department, continuing his commitment to public safety in the Minneapolis metropolitan area.
Perez's leadership also extends to national school-safety initiatives. He has served as president of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and has advocated for high-quality training and professional development for law-enforcement officers.
His educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Management. He has completed numerous leadership courses, including FBI LEEDA training, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Perez has also completed specialized training in combat tactics, social-network investigations, mental health, and gang investigations. His expertise has been recognized nationally and internationally and ranges from lecturing at a variety of institutions and professional events across the U.S. to teaching at the World Police Summit in Dubai.
Perez's policy and advocacy work includes testifying at the White House as an expert on community and school safety. He also co-founded a non-profit benefitting safety and education, Friends of Safe Schools U.S.A., and has held leadership roles in several law-enforcement organizations, reflecting his sustained commitment to the well-being and professional development of law-enforcement personnel.
An experienced labor-relations instructor and former leader of both the Los Angeles School Police Officers Association and the California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations—which represented thousands of law-enforcement officers across California—Perez has contributed significantly to labor and union initiatives within the law-enforcement community. His extensive professional network, leadership background, and firsthand experience make him a valuable voice in discussions about public safety, school security, workforce development, and law-enforcement leadership.
Assistant Chief of Police Rudy Perez is a Carver County resident and a committed advocate for effective policing and community safety. He contributes to the continued evolution of law-enforcement practices, community policing and school-safety initiatives.
Perez has partnered with Jessica Heger in support of her campaign for Carver County sheriff. Together they bring complementary strengths: Heger's extensive law-enforcement background and expertise combined with local knowledge, a commitment to the residents of Carver County, and a vision for the Sheriff's Office, and Perez's executive command experience, organizational leadership, training expertise, and broad perspective on community and school safety.
As a leadership team, Jessica Heger and Rudy Perez are prepared to help guide and strengthen the Carver County Sheriff's Office through accountable leadership, professional development, effective communication, and meaningful partnerships with residents, businesses, schools, public-safety agencies, and community organizations. Their shared approach centers on supporting personnel, developing future leaders, advancing modern training and operational practices, and ensuring that the Sheriff's Office remains responsive to the needs of every community in Carver County.
Platform
Law enforcement built on genuine relationships—with residents, schools, cities, and organizations. Trust is the foundation of effective public safety.
Addressing the retention challenge through competitive compensation, clear career development pathways, and a culture where officers feel valued.
A comprehensive wellness program that goes beyond routine checkups—supporting the complete well-being of every member of the Sheriff's Office.
Finding innovative ways to utilize the mental health professionals within the Sheriff's Office to better serve both personnel and the broader community.
A track record of building programs that work—from statewide theft prevention to school safety initiatives—brought directly to Carver County.
Law enforcement that serves with honesty, embraces accountability, and never loses sight of its greatest strength: the people it serves.
Community
From community outreach to family life in Carver County—Jessica's commitment to the people around her runs through everything she does.
Get Involved
The Carver County Sheriff race will be decided first in the August 11 primary. With multiple candidates on the ballot, only the top 2 vote getters advance to the general election — which means every primary vote counts. Use the resources below to make sure you're ready to vote.
Confirm your registration is active and your information is up to date.
📋Register online, by mail, or in person before the deadline.
📬Can't make it to the polls? Request your absentee ballot online.
✉️Learn how to cast your ballot by mail before election day.
🎖️Special voting options for military members and overseas citizens.
🔍Track the status of your absentee or mail ballot after submitting.
All links go to the official Minnesota Secretary of State website.
Support Jessica
Every contribution fuels grassroots outreach, yard signs, and the conversations that win elections. Your support—at any level—makes a real difference in bringing community-centered leadership to the Carver County Sheriff's Office.
Donations are made via Venmo directly to Jessica's campaign. All contributions are appreciated and go directly toward reaching voters across Carver County.
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@Heger-for-Sheriff
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Heger for Sheriff
PO Box 422
Victoria, MN 55386
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Testimonials
See what people in the community have to say about Jessica and her vision for Carver County.
View Community Post on FacebookGet in Touch
Have a question or want to get involved? Reach out to Jessica directly by email.
hegerforsheriff@gmail.comClicking will open your email app.