04/06/2026
Please join us in welcoming Zachary Boesel to the Hometown Hero Outdoors Foundation Board of Directors as our Marketing Director.
"Service has never been just a profession — it has been a way of life. From the age of 14, when he first joined the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Explorer program, through his roles as a Deputy Sheriff, SWAT negotiator, fi****ms instructor, DARE officer, and most recently a Police Officer with the Forest Lake Police Department, he has dedicated himself to protecting and serving others. That same calling is precisely what drew him to Hometown Hero Outdoors.
Hometown Hero Outdoors was born from a recognition that too many service members face isolation, disconnection, and loss of purpose after their time in uniform — and that the outdoors offers a powerful path forward.  As a law enforcement officer who has witnessed firsthand the mental and emotional toll that a career in public safety carries, he deeply understands that mission. His background as a SWAT negotiator — where active listening and empathy-driven outcomes are everything — aligns naturally with HHO’s vision of building a future where those who serve are never alone in their struggles and always have the resources they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Raised in Scandia, Minnesota, he has strong roots in the same communities HHO serves. HHO’s goal of helping law enforcement officers, military service members, and veterans conquer challenges as they integrate back into society — while reducing mental health issues and preventing su***de — is work he takes personally. As a board member, he brings a unique combination of street-level law enforcement experience, youth mentorship, crisis intervention training, and a genuine passion for the outdoors to help advance HHO’s reach and impact. In addition to his law enforcement career, he now serves the greater Scandia community as a financial advisor, further broadening his commitment to the well-being of those around him.
He is honored to stand alongside fellow heroes in support of HHO’s efforts to provide free opportunities for veterans, law enforcement, and first responders to connect with one another and find healing through hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventure. Brotherhood beyond the uniform is not just a tagline — it is* something he lives every day.
