Lake County Gazette

The Lake County Sheriff's Office has commended its Auxiliary Deputy Unit for their volunteer service and dedication to public safety in 2024. The unit was recently recognized by the Lake County Board for contributing 13,312.5 hours of service, which saved taxpayers nearly $700,000.

These volunteers assist in various operations such as emergency callouts, traffic management at incident scenes, support during natural disasters, and community events like festivals and parades. They also participate in public safety initiatives like Shop-With-A-Sheriff.

Volunteers undergo over 145 hours of initial training before serving a probationary year. Sheriff John D. Idleburg praised their efforts: "Every year, our Auxiliary Deputies go above and beyond, whether aiding in emergencies or fostering community spirit at events."

The Lake County Board formally acknowledged the unit's contributions during its June 10, 2025 meeting. The Auxiliary Deputy Unit began as a neighborhood watch initiative in the late 1970s and became formalized in 1978 with Mobile Eye One.

For more information about joining the Auxiliary Deputy Unit, visit auxiliarydeputy.com.

Information from this article can be found here.