“ A Sincere Human Being :” Law officers , lawyers reflect on Wayne Stenehjem ’ s legacy
Photo courtesy of the State of North Dakota
By Travis Svihovec , The Bismarck Tribune
Parrell Grossman ’ s first contact with Wayne Stenehjem more than 20 years ago was the start of a relationship he treasures , and one he finds hard to describe as he grieves the death of North Dakota ' s longestserving attorney general .
“ It ’ s just been a wonderful ride ,” he said .
Grossman , head of the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General ’ s Office , in 2000 helped the then-newly elected attorney general unload his moving truck at a Bismarck home . Through the years he watched Stenehjem work for the people of North Dakota on many levels . Stenehjem ’ s death is a loss Grossman said is “ immeasurable .”
“ He was a gifted leader ,” Grossman said . “ My personal and professional life will never be the same .”
Grossman ’ s view of Stenehjem is echoed by others in the state ' s law enforcement and legal community who knew him and worked with him . Stenehjem ’ s legacy of professionalism didn ’ t get in the way of a friendship , an invitation to Christmas dinner , or a listening ear at a peace officer convention .
Stenehjem , 68 , died Friday [ Jan . 28 ] following his hospitalization after being found unresponsive that morning at his home . In December he had announced his plans to retire at the end of this year , when his current term expires , to spend time with his wife , work with charities , and pursue hobbies .
Officer reflections
Bismarck Police Chief Dave Draovitch worked closely with Stenehjem when the Legislature tackled a revamping of the state ’ s asset forfeiture procedures . The police department already met most of the requirements put in place by the new laws , and Stenehjem met with Draovitch to gather information to be passed along to other agencies .
“ He took plenty of time to visit about it ,” the chief said .
The process leading up to the passage of the legislation required Stenehejem to testify before legislators . Draovitch at those meetings saw how much weight the Attorney General ' s Office carried and how well Stenehjem handled such situations .
“ When he came to testify , everybody was on their A game and paying attention ,” Draovitch said . “ He just had that kind of character about him .”
That character went beyond his professional side , Draovitch said . In their meetings , Stenehjem was “ always thoughtful and took time to do the right thing .”
“ He was just a good guy ,” the chief said .
Former Bureau of Criminal Investigation Director Dallas Carlson spoke daily with Stenehjem on the agency ’ s budget and legislation issues . He accompanied the attorney general on trips to peace officer and sheriff ’ s conventions , where Stenehjem took the opportunity to gather information from officers in one-onone conversations .
“ He ’ d pick a town or pick a county and sit down and visit ,” Carlson said . “ He wanted to make things better . He wasn ’ t all talk . He was action . He got things done .”
Nobody in the Attorney General ' s Office spent a holiday alone , Carlson said . If bad weather or poor road conditions kept someone from traveling , “ You ’ d go to Wayne ’ s house .”
“ Wayne and ( wife ) Beth took care of you ,” he said .
Stenehjem ’ s support of law enforcement was most evident in his actions , according to Maj . Tom Iverson , head of operations for the North Dakota Highway Patrol . The agency relies on the Attorney General ' s Office for legal guidance , and Stenehjem ’ s work on DUI laws and the state ’ s 24 / 7 sobriety program showed he understood what troopers were seeing on duty , the major said .
Stenehjem also supported a system to alert the public when a law enforcement officer had been assaulted and the suspect was at large . The attorney general was involved in the state Peace Officers Association , and he handed out the Herb Eckroth Lone Eagle Award , which annually is given to one retired and one active peace officer in recognition of character and ethics . He spoke at annual peace officer memorials “ with such clarity that it really sank in with law enforcement officers in attendance ,” Iverson said .
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