Clay County Sheriff's Office Celebrates Promotion of 11 Deputies

By Don Coble

FLEMING ISLAND — Before Sheriff Michelle Cook promoted 11 deputies Thursday, including three from the Clay County School District Police Department, she told them about a double-sided card they would receive with their new badges.

On the one hand, she emphasized her core values: integrity, competence, humility, teamwork, and loyalty. On the other, she hoped everyone would remember this phrase: “People don’t get promoted because they’re really good at their job. They get promoted because they demonstrate the potential to do more.”

Those promoted are Lt. Zach Cox, School Resource Sergeant Jacob Saunders, Detention Sergeant Troy Van Dyke, School Resource Lieutenant Kenneth Wagner, Sergeant Richard Futch, Sergeant Heather Lanier, Sergeant Daniel Cassani, Sergeant Micheal Brickey, School Resource Sergeant Mark Romano, Lt. Eddie Howell and School Resource Sergeant Sarah Taylor.

“I’m so happy for all of you. What a big day today is,” Cook said. “I hope you take the time to celebrate. It’s a tremendous accomplishment in your life, and I think it’s something you achieve when you work hard. Achieve that goal, celebrate that goal, enjoy that moment.”

“If I had one piece of advice to give you, I would say: Remember that leadership has a price, and that price is the loss of your self-interest, because your people become the most important thing you do.”

The agency will have more than 900 employees by July 1, when the sheriff's office will be tasked with placing a deputy in every public school. During the transition, the sheriff's office has hired some of the school district's school resource officers.

Department of Patrol and Community Affairs Director David Barnes also offered some advice.

“Be engaged with your people. Be there,” he said. “No coach has ever been able to sit in the stands. You have to be on the sidelines. You have to be there with them. Pay attention to what they’re doing. Grow them. That’s your fundamental responsibility as a leader: to grow your people. We’re in a pivotal time right now in terms of growth and everything that’s going on. You’re all going to have the biggest impact on that.”