Three Decades of Service: Capt Richard Martin retires from YCSO

Published on July 31, 2025

More than three decades ago, both David Rhodes and Richard Martin joined YCSO as Detention Officers. On July 30th, Sheriff Rhodes and Detention Services Captain Martin reminisced about those bygone days at Martin's retirement ceremony, after 31 years with the agency.

Capt Martin has held multiple positions with YCSO over the years since he was a Detention Officer: patrol deputy, SWAT team member, Forest Patrol, Training Unit, patrol Sergeant and Lieutenant, and Captain over both Law Enforcement Services and Detention Services. He told the retirement gathering of co-workers, family and friends that he has great appreciation for the hundreds of YCSO volunteers ("they are true heroes beyond compare"), and for YCSO giving him so many opportunities within the agency. His voice cracked with emotion a few times, especially when thinking about close friends and co-workers the agency has tragically lost over the years and about responding to a call to the 2013 Yarnell Hill fire, which took the lives of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots. 

Fellow YCSO employees spoke glowingly of Capt Martin at the ceremony. Commander Brent Kimbriel said, "You were the single biggest influence in my career, a real man's man." Others:  "So many here learned a lot from you and are better people because of you", "When I think of YCSO, I think of you, and you have represented this agency as one of the best", "You were a real servant-leader, your door was always open and you raised the bar for the rest of us", "You were fair to everyone, no matter who they were", and "You were always authentic and people first, including with members of the public." Several also pointed to Capt Martin voluntarily doing unpleasant and menial cleanup tasks on several occasions at the Camp Verde jail. 

Sheriff Rhodes said he and Martin "got in as reserves, and we were so excited to work here. We really took it seriously." He told the gathering, "You are only as good as the people that surround you. The number one quality is having someone who is reliable. They are there whenever you need them, and they take ultimate and full responsibility for their part. That was Rich Martin." The Sheriff praised Martin for his work in leading the Camp Verde jail during difficult times for law enforcement staffing a few years ago. Capt Martin said being over Detention Services is "the most overlooked job in law enforcement, because we have a huge impact on so many people." 

If you would like to start a great career with YCSO, call (928) 708-9276 or visit ycsojobs.com to find out about current job openings.