Clay County Sheriff’s Office celebrates promotion of 11 deputies
FLEMING ISLAND – Before Sheriff Michelle Cook promoted 11 deputies Thursday, including three from the Clay County District Schools Police Department, she told them they would get a two-sided …
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Clay County Sheriff’s Office celebrates promotion of 11 deputies
FLEMING ISLAND – Before Sheriff Michelle Cook promoted 11 deputies Thursday, including three from the Clay County District Schools Police Department, she told them about a two-sided card they would get with their new badges.
On one side were her personal core values: integrity, competency, humility, teamwork and loyalty. On the other was an inscription she hoped all would remember throughout their careers: “People don’t get promoted for doing their jobs really well. They get promoted by demonstrating the potential to do more.”
Those who were promoted were Lt. Zach Cox, School Resource Sgt. Jacob Saunders, Detention Sgt. Troy Van Dyke, School Resource Lt. Kenneth Wagner, Sgt. Richard Futch, Sgt. Heather Lanier, Sgt. Daniel Cassani, Sgt. Micheal Brickey, School Resource Sgt. Mark Romano, Lt. Eddie Howell and School Resource Sgt. Sarah Taylor.
“I’m so happy for you all. What a big day today,” Cook said. “I hope you take some time to celebrate this. This is a tremendous accomplishment in your life, and I think it’s something you know when you work hard. Get that goal, celebrate that goal, take that moment.
“If I had any advice to give you, I would say, remember, there is a cost to leadership, and that cost is the loss of self-interest because your people become the most important thing you do.”
The agency will swell to more than 900 employees on July 1, when the sheriff’s office is responsible for placing a deputy in every public school. During the transition, the sheriff’s office hired some of the school resource officers from the school district.
Patrol and Community Affairs Department Director David Barnes also offered some advice.
“Be engaged with your folks. Show up,” he said. “No coach was ever successful sitting in the bleachers. You got to be on the sidelines. You got to be there with them. Pay attention to what they’re doing. Grow them. That’s your fundamental responsibility as leaders is to grow your people. We’re at a pivotal time right now with growth and all the things we have going on. You all are going to have the most impact on that.”
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