ABOVE: Officers Brandon Yira and Madison Militello are the newest members of the Fairmont Police Department. They both started earlier this month and will be sworn in at the Fairmont City Council meeting on Monday.

FAIRMONT– A set of officers are the latest to join the Fairmont Police Department. Madison Militello and Brandon Yira both began their employment on Aug. 12.

Militello is a native of Fairmont and graduated from Fairmont High School in 2019. During her senior year, she enlisted in the Army National Guard.

“I went to Oklahoma (for training) right after graduation, came back and I worked for awhile a few jobs in Fairmont. I worked at Jake’s Pizza and the Channel Inn while going to drill,” Militello said.

In 2020, Militello’s unit responded to the aftermath in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd. Being involved in it made her want to pursue a career in law enforcement.

She enrolled in Alexandria Technical and Community College, but grew interested in pursuing a federal career, so she transferred to Vermillion Community College in Ely and took online classes there.

While doing that, she worked full-time as a correctional officer in the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

“I graduated the academy in December (2024) and May was when I had my degree completed,” Militello said.

Having a career and living in Fairmont was always something that appealed to Militello.

“I’ve always loved Fairmont so I pictured myself being here, but I hadn’t pictured a career in law enforcement or the military. It was kind of an impulsive thing when I enlisted,” she admitted.

However, she had grandfathers who served in the military and credits them for her decision to join.

Now with a few weeks of working with the police department under her belt, Militello can say she’s looking forward to serving her hometown in a different capacity.

While she knows the community well, Militello said she’s looking forward to learning more. She has an interest in narcotics interdiction.

“I didn’t know that there was as much of that in Fairmont growing up here. It’s a great place, but there’s some things that could use a little bit of work,” she said.

Yira is originally from Hutchinson and following high school graduation, he went to Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall where he got his Justice Administration degree in 2022.

Going down this path was something that Yira sought. He grew up with an interest in and connection to the field as several family members on his mom’s side are in law enforcement. He also has a family friend that’s a detective that Yira got to go on some ride alongs with.

“I kind of got hooked,” he said.

He has gained other experience with an internship with the Minnesota State Patrol.

“I got to ride along with the K-9 officer in the Luverne area. That was enjoyable. I also got to ride in a helicopter, which was a rare opportunity so I took it,” he said.

Prior to coming to Fairmont, Yira worked with the Upper Sioux Community Police Department and then the Granite Falls Police Department.

In looking for a different department, Yira explored several options but did look specifically at southern Minnesota because, as his wife grew up around St. James, they could be closer to family.

“I did a ride along here and it was everything I was looking for. Better pay, better community, closer to family. The guys I met on the ride along persuaded me a little bit,” Yira said.

He’s looking forward to starting a family here and getting involved in the community.

“There’s more resources and opportunities here with all of the parks and the lakes,” he said.

Career-wise, Yira noted that there are growth opportunities in the department as well, which is appealing to him.

Both Militello and Yira will be sworn in at the Fairmont City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25.