Katie Stange is officially Sac County’s sheriff—the only woman currently serving in that role statewide. The county board of supervisors appointed Stange last week following the resignation of Jonathan Meyer, who stepped down after suffering serious injuries in an alleged assault.
Stange, 32, began her law enforcement career in Sac County in 2018, just days after graduating from Morningside College in Sioux City with a nursing degree. Before that, the California native served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Her top priority now: passing a $12.5 million bond to replace the county’s aging jail facility.
Stange says until the vote, her team is remaining cognizant of past incidents, ensuring everyone is working ahead when concerns are first noticed, and leaning on outside agencies to house high-risk inmates.
She’s also focused on navigating her new role as sheriff, including expectations and day-to-day tasks, while restoring stability after months of leadership turnover.
As the only woman sheriff in Iowa, Stange says she’s aware of the spotlight—but she’s not chasing it. Her focus is on the work, the safety of her staff, the future of the department, and setting a good example for her 4-year-old daughter.
