The El Paso County Sheriff's Office recently hosted a celebration event at the Norris Penrose Event Center to honor the hard work and dedication of its volunteers. According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, last year's 221 active volunteers clocked in a staggering 39,574 hours, the equivalent of more than $1.3 million in service, using national volunteer rates.
County Sheriff Joseph Roybal underscored the importance of the volunteers' contributions, saying, "You are the heart behind so much of what we do," as per the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. He praised their commitment at a time when public service is becoming increasingly complex and community resources are often stretched thin. These volunteers have turned their hands to a diverse range of services, including search and rescue, jail-based programs, administrative support, firefighting, and therapy K9 programs.
The event was not just about applauding past efforts but also welcomed new faces, with 49 fresh volunteers joining in 2024 and an internship program that successfully placed five out of nine participants in employment with the agency. Highlighting a sense of continuing loyalty, six former employees have chosen a path back to the department, but now in voluntary roles.
