Executive Staff

Chief Deputy John Russell

John Russell is an Arizona Native and has lived in Yavapai County for over 40 years. He is a 25 year law enforcement veteran and has spent the last 22 years with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.  John started his career working patrol in outlying areas of the county and presently manages the Law Enforcement and Detention Divisions.

He has worked in or supervised nearly every aspect of the law enforcement field, to include patrol, criminal investigations, swat, traffic, animal control and detention. John has instructed officers nationwide in traffic enforcement related fields of alcohol and drug impairment and has testified in court as a Drug Recognition Expert.

Highlights of John’s career include a one year internship with the Department of Justice and NHTSA in Washington DC and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Command assignments include SWAT Commander, Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy Commander, Law Enforcement Operations Commander, and the Detention Services Commander.

Captain Jeff Newnum

Jeff Newnum was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2013 and assigned as Commander of the Law Enforcement Services Division. He began his career with Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in 1996 as a Certified Deputy and successfully promoted through the ranks. His previous assignments include supervision of the field operations of the Southern Area Command.  He has worked Criminal Investigations, Special Crimes Unit, Traffic/DUI squad, and Forest Patrol/Search & Rescue  Captain Newnum is a veteran of the United States Army and served with the 5th Infantry, 2nd Armored, and 1st Cavalry Divisions. As a supervisor Captain Newnum’s units were awarded “Unit of the Year” twice, once in 2003 with Criminal Investigations, and again in 2010 with Forest Patrol/Search & Rescue.

Captain Brian Hunt

Brian Hunt was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2012.  Captain Hunt, a native Arizonan, began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 2001.  A certified accreditation manager, Captain Hunt also instructs collegiate administration of justice studies courses.  Captain Hunt’s assignments as a Captain consist of Commander of the Detention Services Division and currently that of the Support Services Division.  Captain Hunt serves on the local Salvation Army Advisory Board, is vice-chair of the Regional Advisory Council for the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, Western Region and sits on the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Technical Team.

Captain David Rhodes

David Rhodes was promtoed to the rank of Captain in 2011.  Captain Rhodes is curently in Command of the Detention Services Division. Captain Rhodes has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1994. His previous assignments include Commander of the Law Enforcement Services Division to include field operations and criminal investigations. In 2010, he attended the FBI National Academy, which he completed in March 2011. He has been selected as a law enforcement member of the Committee on the Impact of Domestic Violence of the Supreme Court of Arizona, which is a three-year term.

Lieutenant Nathan Auvenshine

Nate Auvenshine was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in May of 2012. Lieutenant Auvenshine began his career in Law Enforcement in 1995 as a Detention Officer while completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Lieutenant Auvenshine began his career with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in 1996. Since that time Lieutenant Auvenshine has worked as a Patrol Deputy, Special Weapons and Tactics team Leader, Patrol Sergeant, academy instructor and most recently as the Sergeant over the Law Enforcement Division Recruitment and Training Section. Lieutenant Auvenshine is currently assigned to the Eastern Area Command and also commands the SWAT team and Field Training Officer (FTO) program.

Lieutenant Tom Boelts

Lieutenant Boelts was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2010. His previous assignments include supervision of field operations and criminal investigations. He began his career with Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in 1994 as a detention officer.

In 2005 he completed a Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Montana in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. He completed the Leadership in Police Organizations course through AZPOST and the IACP in February 2010 and completed The Senior Management Institute for Police through the Police Executive Research Forum in Boston, MA in July of 2011 (Session 49). He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Administration program though NAU with an emphasis on Public Administration.

Lieutenant Jaime Cicero

Jaime Cicero began his career with Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in 1996 as a Detention Officer and successfully promoted through the ranks defining a thorough career path. He comes to this position with experience and knowledge gained through promotions and assignments as a Facility Training Officer, operations sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, and operations lieutenant within the detention environment. Lieutenant Cicero reports directly to the Detention Services Division Captain and is currently responsible for the daily operation and management of the Central Identification Services Bureau; this includes Intake, Release, Records, Contracts, and the Immigration (287g) Program.

Lieutenant Jason Miner

Jason Miner was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2003. Jason has the responsibility for the management of daily operations that pertain to the transportation of inmates; this includes Court Services, In-State Movement and Out-of-State Extraditions. Jason has managed all aspects of Detention Services as Administrative Lieutenant and has a well-rounded background in all aspects of Detention. Career Highlights include: instrumental role in the resolution of Department of Justice Investigation/CRIPA, Transition Team Leader for the opening of the Camp Verde Jail (HONI), staffing analysis and proposal for the proper staffing of the Camp Verde Jail (HONI), Support Services Bureau Commander, Northern Detention Bureau Commander, completed the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations Class #5. Prior to serving with the Sheriff’s Office, Jason served in the United States Marine Corps. Lieutenant Miner has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1995 and has successfully promoted through the ranks establishing a respectable career path.

Lieutenant David Schmid

David Schmid began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1989, when hired as a Detention Officer to staff the newly built 54 bed facility in Camp Verde. David assisted with the facilitation of Arizona Detention Academy Class 1 and instructed in many classes thereafter. Lieutenant Schmid’s early career encompassed training and preparing new recruits. He was promoted to Facility Training Officer in 1991 and sergeant in 1998. In 1998, David was placed in charge of oversight in the construction of Camp Verde’s Unit 2, a 120 bed addition to the existing jail, and served as Administrative Sergeant for 3 years thereafter. Lieutenant Schmid was also appointed to oversee the construction of the 480 bed addition to the facility in 2002. In 2006, David was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenant Schmid is currently assigned as the Housing Services Bureau Commander, overseeing 12 sergeants and over 80 detention officers. He has attained over 20 years of progressive training in detention operations.

Lieutenant Daphne Smith

Daphne Smith began her career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1998 as a Detention Officer in Camp Verde. Daphne successfully carved her career path through the ranks, earning her position as sergeant in 2002 and becoming the first female Detention Lieutenant in the history of the Sheriff’s Office in 2006. Previous responsibilities range from managing Court Services/Transportation to Jail Investigations and operational duties. Daphne served as Co-Commander for Arizona Detention Association Academy Class 36 and has taught a variety of classes in academies since then. She was awarded Officer of the Year in 2001, and was one of three sergeants overseeing Court Services/Transportation duties when they were awarded the Unit Citation for 2004. Lieutenant Smith reports directly to the Detention Services Division Captain and is currently responsible for Inmate Programs, Volunteer Services and Food Services. In addition, she serves as the medical liaison for the Detention Services Division.

Lieutenant Scott Rushing

Scott Rushing began his career with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 as a Detention Officer. Previous assignments include Recruitment and Training Section, Jail Investigations, Software Management and Classification Services. Scott was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2010 and completed the National Jail Leadership Command Academy in June 2011. Lieutenant Rushing is currently assigned as the Administrative Services Bureau Commander, which oversees Detention Recruitment and Training and Professional Standards. He is also the Special Response Team Commander.