YCSO SERGEANT DEANN ASHBY RETIRES AFTER 23 YEARS, NOW IT'S RODEO TIME

Published on May 22, 2024

YCSO Sgt Deann Ashby can now concentrate on family and barrel racing, after retiring from the agency May 22nd with a record of 23 years of excellent service.

Sgt Ashby worked two years in YCSO Detention Services before transferring to patrol, based in Bagdad. She obtained a college teaching degree, did that for a short time, then was hired by Yavapai County development services before transferring to YCSO. She told those gathered at the retirement ceremony that she plans to enter professional rodeo competition this summer. “I grew up with horses, and that has always been my passion. I have a pretty awesome horse”, Sgt Ashby said.

She told the group, “I am the person I am today because of going into law enforcement and my experience with the Sheriff’s Office. I am very grateful for the many friends I have made here.” She said the most difficult thing she had to endure at YCSO was the loss of good friend Sgt Rick “R Lo” Lopez, who was killed in the line of duty in 2022. She also thanked her husband, Travis, and the rest of her family for putting up with the uncertain schedule of law enforcement and being subject to callouts at any time.

Sgt Ashby said one of the great memories for her is being the Field Training Officer for several current YCSO supervisory personnel when they had just started with the agency. “I am very proud to have been part of their success,” she said.

Her mother, Deb, worked for YCSO for nearly a quarter of a century. She served in dispatch, was a records supervisor, and then a patrol secretary in Bagdad.

Sheriff David Rhodes told the gathering that Sgt Ashby was a “great communicator” who had an enduring connection with the community she served. “They really loved you. You represented this agency and the badge extraordinarily well,” the Sheriff said.