YCSO HAS FIVE NEW DEPUTIES FOLLOWING NARTA CLASS 58 GRADUATION

Published on June 05, 2025

Five new YCSO deputies were sworn in June 5 at the NARTA Class 58 graduation at Yavapai College in Prescott.

Tyler Bredlow, Jay Justiz, Eric Mickelson, Tristan Roe, and Daegan Souder were among 25 graduates representing 11 law enforcement agencies after completing the difficult 21-week academy. Sheriff David Rhodes presented each new deputy with their badge and certificate prior to family members doing the badge-pinning honors.

NARTA Class Sergeant Stephen Berry of YCSO presented certificates of appreciation to Deputy Luke Boling (Recruit Training Officer) and Deputy Daniel McGinnis (Drill Instructor) for their excellent work at the academy, along with the class Physical Fitness Award to agency NARTA grad Jay Justiz.

Class President Michael Garner (CCSO) told the auditorium packed with family and friends, "We are now a team of warriors ready to stand firm in the fray, governed by compassion."

Keynote speaker Joe Cappelli, a retired 34-year law enforcement veteran who served with Prescott Valley PD and Yavapai College PD, gave the graduates five things to remember:

"Be honest in all you say and do"

"Never compromise your integrity"

"Take responsibility for your actions"

"Choose your mentors carefully"

"Take care of the person behind the badge (you)"

Cappelli urged the grads to "never forget those who paid the ultimate price" in law enforcement, and said their new career "is both challenging and rewarding, and your good times will far outweigh the bad." He told them, "Have a passion for people, and a passion to protect and serve", and stressed that they are entering law enforcement at an extremely challenging moment in time. Cappelli asked the grads to build on four major qualities: proficiency, professionalism, leadership, and most important of all, character.

The Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy began in 1996.