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Cochise County sheriff outlines charity grants, youth academy, animal shelter plan and staffing updates
Summary
Sheriff Mark Daniels used KWCD’s First Watch to announce new deputies, charitable grant opportunities, a proposed animal shelter with roughly $2 million budgeted through a USDA grant match, and to address an off‑duty officer’s DUI arrest; he thanked staff after the Board passed a tentative county budget.
Sheriff Mark Daniels told listeners on KWCD’s First Watch that the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office is rolling out several community programs and continues to pursue an animal shelter project while the Board of Supervisors advances a tentative county budget that includes sheriff’s office funding.
"We have Benjamin Sandival, Brett Santa Maria, Caleb Syler and Graham Stanford" as new deputies from the county’s local academy, Daniels said, calling the hires "homegrown" and praising the department’s partnership with Cochise College. He described the youth academy beginning June 22 at American Leadership Academy as a free, weeklong program for teens hosted by law enforcement.
Daniels outlined the Cochise County Sheriff’s Charity Ride, encouraging 501(c)(3) groups to apply for grant assistance; during the broadcast he referenced both "$10,000 per organization" and later said the ride distributes "$50,000 every year," an inconsistency reflected in the on‑air remarks.
On the proposed animal shelter, Daniels said the county submitted a purchase proposal and received a counteroffer. "We have, I think, like two little over $2 million budgeted for this project through a grant match through USDA," he said, adding that building and setting up the facility would likely take about a year if the purchase proceeds. He said final terms are before the board and a report could be ready in the next few weeks.
Daniels also noted that the Cochise County Board of Supervisors "has passed a tentative budget for the county, which includes the sheriff's office," and thanked county finance staff and supervisors Kathleen Gomez and Frank Antinori for their support.
The sheriff addressed internal and community programs, including a spay/neuter clinic in Wilcox and a flagship welfare‑check service now branded as "Confirm OK" (formerly "Are You Okay?"), which is offered free and automatically triggers a deputy check when a scheduled call goes unanswered. Carol Capus said enrollment for the program was "about 20" people and emphasized the service is free.
Daniels also spoke about accountability in the department after an off‑duty Sierra Vista police officer was arrested for driving under the influence following a traffic stop: "He was charged, he'll be processed ... he lost his career here," Daniels said, and noted that for a non‑aggravated DUI a six‑month suspension of Arizona certification is standard.
The sheriff highlighted training and corrections work, congratulating Commander Kenny Bradshaw on a regional detention award and recounting a visit with retired sergeant Buddy Hail. He closed by reminding listeners that department information is posted on the Cochise County sheriff's web and social pages and encouraging nonprofits and parents to use posted forms for the charity ride and youth academy.
The board’s budget action and the animal shelter proposal were reported as developments, but the show did not include a formal motion text or a vote tally for the budget or the shelter purchase. Listeners were directed to the sheriff’s office web page for application forms and program details.
