Staats, James E. "Red", age 87 of Rosemount, Retired Rosemount Police Chief, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2025. Proceeded in death by his son, Darrel; granddaughter, Kayla; siblings: June, Earl, and Hazel. Survived by his wife, Sharon; children: Kathy (Gary) Verhoek, Patti (Mihai) Miu , Jim Jr. (Lydia), David (Deesa), Gina Kilbo, Jill (John) Weibel, and Brian (Adriana) Henderson;  also by his beloved 21 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and other loving family and friends.  Memorial service Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, MN.  Memorial visitation from 10-11am prior to the service.

James was born on June 11, 1938 as the youngest of 4 children to William and Ruby Staats.  In his early years he farmed and had his own portable mixer mills, grinding feed and shelling corn for local farmers while in his late teens, along with hauling milk in milk cans to the local creamery in Farmington.  He was also a mechanic by trade.   James earned his nickname 'Red' due to his red wavy locks, which remained his preferred name until he passed.   Red joined the US army where he was stationed at Fort Knox as a tank mechanic during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon completing his military service he returned home to continue farming until becoming a police officer with the Farmington Police Department, then an officer with the Rosemount Police Department where he retired as the Police Chief of Rosemount in 1990.  During those years he was also a member of the Rosemount Fire Department and involved in the design and creation of the toilet bowl platforms used during the Rosemount Leprechaun Days events.  Later he was a member of the Rosemount City Council.  Red was invested in and served the City of Rosemount for many years.

Red married Clara Lau in 1960 and they welcomed his first daughter Kathy.  In 1969, Red married Linda Mongeau, they welcomed Darrel, Patti, Jim Jr., and David to their union.  During this time he would renovate school buses into RV's as well as old motor homes.  Many trips were taken to go camping, but most notoriously a trip from Rosemount to Farmington was made to enjoy ice cream and dinner at the Dairy Queen.  He also worked on cars for others and could always find him in the shop if he wasn't working protecting the citizens of Rosemount.   In 1985, Red married Sharon Henderson (Genz), to which he gained three bonus children from her previous marriage; Gina, Jill and Brian.  Red and Sharon enjoyed many trips during their retirement years to include Branson, MO and their all- time favorite, Laughlin, NV.  If they weren't enjoying their trips, you could find them at the local casinos which Red found enjoyment in just people-watching.   He had many life long friends which he enjoyed having weekly morning coffee with.  You knew if Red liked you as he would playfully pick on you or randomly give you the middle finger in fun.   His quiet, humorous, yet steadfast personality will be missed by all who knew him.