Onetime YCSO dispatcher wins 2016 Deputy of the Year
Deputy Michelle Callahan was recently chosen as the Deputy of the Year for 2016 at the Yuma County Sheriff Office’s 30th annual Awards Presentation and Recognition Ceremony.
The ceremony was held on March 24 at Britain’s Farm Chuckwagon and Steakhouse. Over 200 employees, volunteers, family, and friends attended the event.
“I value being chosen as Deputy of the Year. It is a great recognition within our office, and this year I was amidst candidates whom I work with or see every week,” Callahan said. “I admire their individual work ethic as well as their drive and could not have been happier to be amongst them.”
Callahan, who is assigned to the Foothills afternoon shift (FA-2), was recognized for her continuing positive attitude, leadership, and willingness to provide guidance to newer, less experienced deputies.
“She is truly an asset to the FA-2 shift and the sheriff’s office as a whole,” wrote Sgt. Scott Bjornstad, who nominated her.
From Jan. 5, 2016, to June 5, 2016, Callahan was involved in a combined 401 criminal and civil cases. Among those cases were seven vehicle collisions, 28 domestic violence calls, three child abuse cases, six arrest warrants, and four sex offender cases.
She was also involved in the follow-up of 42 cases during that time.
Although not originally from Yuma, Callahan, who has been with the sheriff’s office for 12 years, considers the city her home now.
Callahan hadn’t planned on pursuing a career in law enforcement, saying she originally wanted to be in the medical profession.
“I really wanted to work in pediatrics in some capacity,” Callahan said.
While in college, however, Callahan worked as a dispatcher for the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.
For two years Callahan was the voice at the other end of the 911 line, answering emergency calls and directing radio traffic.
Then one day she said she realized she wanted to be one of the deputies out there answering those calls instead.
“I wanted to do something more, and I wanted to be out in the community making a good difference in any way that I could,” Callahan said.
So Callahan shed her headset and perch behind radio screens and computers, and after completion of her law enforcement training, joined the ranks of the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.
Saying she has had an amazing career, Callahan can’t imagine doing anything else.
“Our community here in Yuma County is incredible, and I could not have asked for a better agency to gain a career with,” Callahan said. “I am lucky enough to have a job I cannot wait to get to in the morning, and when I do have the really long days, at the end of them I can say that I feel like I have done something purposeful.”
“I value being chosen as Deputy of the Year. It is a great recognition within our office, and this year I was amidst candidates whom I work with or see every week. I admire their individual work ethic as well as their drive and could not have been happier to be amongst them.” – 2016 Deputy of the Year Michelle Callahan