Warren County Sheriff’s Office welcomes six new deputies as they graduate from Auxiliary Program

The Warren County Sheriff Office welcomed its six newest members on October 6, 2021, when these Auxiliary Program Deputies were sworn into office by Angie Moore, Circuit Court Clerk. The graduation ceremony was attended by many of the auxiliary program instructors, family, and friends of the new deputies. These deputies unselfishly volunteered more than 200 hours of their own time to complete the basic law enforcement course led by Program Coordinator, Sergeant Roger Vorous. The Auxiliary Class of 2021 was the first graduating from the Sheriff’s Office since 2016, consisting of Deputies Patti Baggarly, Randi Eitzman, Steven Guizar, Bennie Jost, Jonathan Lovins, and Donald Orye.

Auxiliary Program Deputies are sworn into office by Angie Moore, Circuit Court Clerk. Photos by Natasha Eitzman Photography

The program is unique in that the recruits are citizen volunteers who are not paid by the Sheriff’s Office, and they completed similar classroom and practical training as their paid counterparts. Sheriff Mark A. Butler spoke at the ceremony and proudly stated that “honor is living up to your commitment. This is a great example of the principle of WE… in that together, we can do great things for our community.” Sheriff Butler thanked each graduate for their commitment and perseverance through the tough training, physical injuries, and personal sacrifice of time away from their work and families. Collectively, these deputies bring over a century of proven work skills and experience in the fields of military leadership and special units, training, intelligence, communications, and public safety.

The class speaker Bennie Jost described their journey and how “each of us with our own calling, a renewed longing for brotherhood, a longing to re-engage who we once were, or desire to take our civilian specialties and use them for a more just cause.” He spoke about an unselfish calling, and that they will “stand in the voice of justice… yet, have many occasions where we will sit and listen. Stand for those who cannot.” The ceremony closed with the class thanking Sergeant Vorous for his leadership and awarding him with a hand-made wooden flag.

These deputies now look forward to a demanding DCJS required field training program as they ride along with their new Sheriff’s Office teammates. They will have the same authorities granted under the Code of Virginia, with a few limitations. Congratulations Class of 2021!