YCSO GETS 3 NEW DEPUTIES FOLLOWING HIGH COUNTRY ACADEMY GRADUATION

Published on August 23, 2024

YCSO has three brand new deputies following their graduation from Class 4 of the High Country Training Academy in Flagstaff.  The 14-member graduating class was the largest of the four classes that have completed the course, and included members of several agencies.

Wade Ticer, Devon Villa, and Christian Norton successfully completed the 22-week academy, which began in snowy winter weather and ended in late summer. Several members of the YCSO command staff were on hand, including Commander Tom Boelts who presented badges to Norton and Villa.  Ticer's father, Prescott Valley Police Chief Bob Ticer, did the honors for his son, Wade.

Wade Ticer was selected the class leader and won two awards (Physical Fitness and also the Summit Award for best combined scores in all testing areas). Deputy Ticer, during his address to the large crowd of family, friends and law enforcement personnel, stressed that he and his fellow recruits learned teamwork is one of the most important aspects of law enforcement. As he put it, "We have to work together and rely on one another." His favorite part of training was the driving course, and his least favorite, as it is with almost every recruit in any academy, was getting pepper sprayed. Ticer told the gathering the recruits endured all the things that came their way (like doing a bunch of pushups on freezing asphalt in the winter snow) because "we wanted to become law enforcement officers and serve our communities with integrity, courage, and honor."

Academy Sgt Nick Jacobellis of Flagstaff PD told the gathering the recruits should consider it a great honor to fulfill the difficult 22-week academy from start to finish, and he said each one has to come to grips with an important question he put to them: "When times are tough, will you be a good teammate?"

If you are interested in a great career with YCSO, you can call (928) 708-9276 or visit ycsojobs.com.