Biography of Lt. Joel Vettel
Lieutenant Joel F. Vettel was born in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1971. He grew up on a small farm near Hillsboro, North Dakota and attended Hillsboro High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from North Dakota State University, then a Master of Arts degree in management from the University of Mary.
Lieutenant Vettel began work with the Fargo Police Department in September 1997 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October 2002 and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in June of 2006. Lieutenant Vettel also acts as a defensive tactics instructor, special duty coordinator and member of numerous committees for the department. Lieutenant Vettel currently serves as the north district commander for the patrol division.
Lieutenant Vettel lives in Fargo with his wife, Sandy. He is active with area youth athletic programs at both the high school and college level. He serves as an assistant coach at North Dakota State University, as a board member for NDSU Teammakers Organization, and Director of Operations for USA Wrestling Asics National Wrestling Tournament, the largest wrestling tournament in the world.