STEPHEN BERRY PROMOTED TO YCSO SERGEANT, LT SCOTT JOY DOES THE HONORS

Published on May 08, 2024

Yavapai County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Berry was promoted to Sergeant on May 7th, but it was not just an ordinary ceremony. It was retiring Lt Scott Joy whom Berry asked to administer the oath of office and to pin on his badge. Sheriff David Rhodes agreed, and as one his last duties with YCSO, Lt Joy did the honors.

Sgt Berry acknowledged his career with YCSO began about 13 years ago with his Field Training Officer Scott Joy teaching him the ropes and he shared some funny stories about a few encounters with his FTO, including when Berry ran a red light during a call. While he did not think that much of it, he said FTO Joy thought otherwise. As Berry put it, "After I blew through that red light, Scott told me 'if you ever do that again, you're going to get out and run around this patrol car." He also drew laughter from the folks at the ceremony when he said one of his very first calls included FTO Joy telling him to go track a suspect, and he ran into a surprise encounter with a pit bull, that fortunately turned out ok.

Berry is a military veteran who is still enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve.