Sheriff hosts badge ceremony
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue, front center left, gathers with staff after the Madera County Sheriff’s Office hosted a special badge ceremony, merging with the Madera County Department of Corrections.
Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue hosted a special badge ceremony to celebrate a monumental occasion in Madera County history.
During the ceremony, Sheriff Pogue observed the retirement of the Department of Corrections badge and presented the badge of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office to Jail staff, who undertook the oath of office and recommitted their promise to serve and protect the citizens of Madera County last week.
The Madera County Department of Corrections was established in 1977 when it was created as a separate department from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Now, after 44 years, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office and Madera County Department of Corrections are again one, both in policy and in practice.
The initial stages of the reunification began in March of 2021 following unanimous approval by the Board of Supervisors, with the enthusiastic support of administrative representatives from both the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Corrections.
At the time of the merger, Madera County was one of two remaining entities in the State of California which held the Department of Corrections outside the jurisdiction and oversight of the elected Sheriff. This was no small feat and is still a work in progress; an ongoing example of two organizations evolving and working together to unite towards a common goal. Last week’s badge ceremony was a meaningful symbol of the partnership between the collaborative efforts of our institutions.
Of this momentous occasion, Sheriff Tyson Pogue reflects, “The only thing permanent in the profession of public safety is constant change. One thing that sets Madera County apart from nearly every other organization is our cohesiveness, our organizational culture, and willingness to go the extra mile for our teammates. We truly are a family. To the guardians of Madera County, I want to say thank you for your service, thank you for your commitment to the new Madera Sheriff’s Office, and thank you for protecting our community.”
Chief Manuel Perez reflects, “Madera County Jail has been and will continue to be an organization that embraces change and strives for forward progress. Over the past year, Sheriff Tyson Pogue has implemented positive changes and opportunities for staff to get involved with our community and other units within the Sheriff’s office. As we welcome the changing of the guard, we renew our commitment to be leaders for and servants of the residents Madera County.”
