Ada County Sheriff's Office

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on a team of detectives tasked with investigating cases involving some of our community’s most vulnerable members — the Special Victims Unit. This team of three is responsible for investigating crimes against children (including physical abuse, neglect, online exploitation, and sexual offenses), adult sexual offenses, and elder abuse. These cases require a unique balance mix empathy, tenacity, and mental and emotional resiliency. The work is both mentally and emotionally taxing – but rewarding. To sum up their “why” for taking on some of the most difficult cases day in and day out: it’s for the kids. They don’t get a say, and no one else can step in for them. These detectives have families of their own — and it hits close to home. In the last five years, reports of online child exploitation have doubled. The team has also seen a concerning increase involving very young victims, often under the age of five. “It’s not just a photo, it’s not just a video,” said Detective Shannon Garza. “There’s a real victim behind it.” Self-care and mental health are critical parts of maintaining wellness in this role. The team attend regular counseling sessions, and prioritize off-duty activities including yoga, homesteading, time with family, duck hunting, exercise, etc. They also seek out continuous training, particularly related to online crimes against children, to stay current on investigative trends and techniques. In addition to their investigations, they teach classes through our ACSO academies and share their expertise with new deputies. What do these detectives want parents to know? Talk to your kids about the difference between secrets and surprises. Use anatomically correct terms for private parts of the body. And stay involved — know what your child is doing online, on their phone, and on social media. Thank you, SVU detectives, for working endlessly to keep our kids safe. Are you a parent or guardian who wants to learn more about keeping kids safe in the digital age? We know these are difficult topics — and because of community guidelines, it can be challenging to share detailed safety information here. If there’s interest, our team would be happy to explore hosting an in-person information session focused on prevention, awareness, and online safety for families. Protecting kids starts with all of us.

Last week we celebrated Sergeant Darryl Meacham as he wrapped up nearly 30 years with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. In classic fashion, his retirement date just happens to line up perfectly with hunting season—just like when he postponed his original start date back in 1996 so he could head out on a hunt first. Over the years, Darryl has served in the jail, on patrol, as a detective, PTO, and sergeant. He became known for turning routine calls into major arrests, for mentoring others, and for always finding a way to make work a little more memorable. When he looked back on his career, he didn’t talk about cases or awards—he talked about the people who stood beside him and the friendships that carried him through. From ice fishing trips to countless adventures outdoors, Darryl has left a mark on our agency that will be remembered long after today. Through it all, his wife Tonya and family have been by his side, supporting him through years of shift work. Congratulations on your retirement, Sgt. Meacham. We’ll miss you, but we know where to find you—somewhere out in the mountains.

We said farewell (and happy retirement!) this week to Administrative Services Bureau Director Kelli Bolicek, whose career has been woven into the fabric of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office for more than three decades. Kelli began her career at The Walt Disney Company before moving to Boise. In 1989, she spotted a full-page ad for an opening in the ACSO finance department and met with then-Sheriff Vaughn Killeen — who quickly recognized the value she would bring. That moment launched a 29-year career dedicated to serving Ada County, where she rose through the ranks to lead our Administrative Services Bureau. At her retirement ceremony, former sheriffs Vaughn Killeen and Gary Raney, along with current Sheriff Matt Clifford, shared words of gratitude for her lasting impact on the ACSO. Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, who worked closely with Kelli during his time with the Clerk’s Office, also honored her contributions. We wish Kelli all the best in her next chapter and thank her for the countless ways she has strengthened our agency and community.

Over the past 19 weeks, our academy trainees have dedicated themselves to intensive training in emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms instruction, and a wide range of classroom subjects—all designed to prepare them for successful careers in public safety. Now, they’ll move into the next phase of their journey: field training. Following graduation, Deputies Agahzadeh, Ivie, Johnson, McRoberts, Omerovic, Rosales, Satterfield, Scholtes, and Smith will begin their service at the Ada County Jail. Deputies Biebuyck, Lynard, and Wilson will join Ada County Patrol, and Deputy Wills will serve at the Community Transition Center. Officers Albers, Sczudlo, and Wachholder will be starting their careers with the Caldwell Police Department. Congratulations to all of our graduates!

Congratulations to Misdemeanor Probation Officer Cherish Armstrong on completing the Idaho POST Misdemeanor Probation Academy last week! The four-week academy covered a wide range of material, including tactics, classifications, drug trends, court procedures, documentation, and more. Cherish began her career with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office in 2021 as a Misdemeanor Probation Records Technician and later transitioned to Pretrial Services as a Case Manager before stepping into her current role. Her team was there to celebrate with her at graduation, showing their support as she reached this milestone. Today, ACSO misdemeanor probation officers supervise approximately 1,429 probationers. The conditions of probation depend on each individual and may include treatment programs, classes, community service, counseling, or drug testing.

We are excited to share that we’re hosting a Recruiting Open House — and you’re invited! 🎉 If you’ve ever been curious about what it’s like to work at the ACSO, this is a great chance to meet our amazing teams, learn about our current openings, and get insights into our hiring process, benefits, and different career paths. You’ll be able to connect directly with hiring managers and team members across departments. Whether you’re actively looking or just exploring, we’d love to meet you! Feel free to share this with anyone in your network who might be interested! #RecruitingEvent #OpenHouse #NowHiring #CareerGrowth #Networking #Hiring #LawEnforcement #LawEnforcementCareers

What happens when you give 94 kids $200 each to shop for the clothes, shoes, backpacks, and supplies they need for the new school year—side by side with deputies, dispatchers, Ada County Paramedics, and more? You get 94 kids ready to start the year with confidence… and a whole lot of smiles! On Saturday, we joined law enforcement officers and Ada County Paramedics from across Ada County for the annual Shop with a Sheriff event at Walmart Supercenter Meridian - N Ten Mile Rd—organized by the Ada County Sheriff Employees Association. Our employees—from every bureau—volunteered their own time to help kids choose the essentials they need to start the year prepared and confident. We’re grateful to every volunteer and donor who helped make this possible. Thanks to your generosity and willingness to give your time, 94 kids are heading into the new school year feeling prepared, supported, and confident.

We’re saying farewell to not just one long-serving deputy—but two. Deputies Dawn and Mike Zuberer are both retiring, together, after nearly 50 years of combined service to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. That’s a lot of knowledge, leadership, and heart leaving our agency at once. Dawn joined ACSO in 2000. She led from the front—taking on every role from Central to Booking to HSU. Known for her creative thinking and compassionate approach, she helped implement systems that improved day-to-day operations, and treated every person she encountered—staff and inmates—with dignity and care. Mike joined the team in 2003 after serving in the Navy and working as a chef. He quickly became a strong, steady presence in the jail. Over the years, he trained dozens of new deputies, built trusted relationships, and became known for his honesty, his sense of perspective, and his ability to bring calm in the chaos. Together, they’ve raised a family, served their community, and left a lasting mark on the people they’ve worked with. We thank them for their service—and we wish them the best in their next chapter!

This week, we're shining a spotlight on a hardworking and often unseen crew—our Transports Team. Made up of 29 deputies and 2 sergeants (not all pictured here), this team plays a crucial role in the safe movement of inmates throughout Ada County. In 2024 alone, they facilitated approximately 10,806 inmate transports. Whether it's court hearings, medical appointments, or transfers to and from the Idaho Department of Correction, Ada County Juvenile Detention Center, or State Hospital South, they’re constantly on the move. The team also handles out-of-state extraditions—by road or air—bringing individuals back to Ada County from places as far as Alaska, Hawaii, and Florida. Many of our transport deputies bring experience from other areas such as detention and patrol. The job itself is a hybrid, combining duties inside the jail with work in the community. They manage a wide range of individuals—from those with misdemeanor theft charges to those facing serious felony charges, including homicide. Their fleet consists of 21 vehicles, including a bus, SUVs, and transit vans. Several deputies hold CDLs (Commercial Driver’s Licenses)—and with our recently launched in-house CDL training program, that number is growing. Every year, the team completes emergency vehicle operations training using the very vehicles they operate daily. (Pro tip: maneuvering a Ford Transit Van in a backing course is no small feat!) But this team does more than just transport. They also contribute to collateral duties such as Honor Guard, Dive Team, TacMed, UAS (drone operations), and serve as instructors for high-liability topics like EVOC and firearms. One thing many people don’t realize? Sitting through court proceedings—especially jury trials—can take a serious mental toll. Our transport deputies are responsible for inmate custody during those trials, often sitting through hours of emotionally difficult testimony, evidence, and video footage. They do all this quietly, professionally, and with a deep sense of duty. To our Transports Team: thank you for the critical work you do every day to ensure safe and secure inmate movement, both in our community and across the country.

This week, we’re highlighting a group at the heart of employee wellness at the Ada County Sheriff’s Office — our Peer Support team. Formed in 2014, this volunteer team offers confidential support to employees navigating personal or professional challenges. Whether after a critical incident or during a difficult time, Peer Support members are there to listen, guide, and connect others with helpful resources. The team is made up of 20 professional and commissioned staff from across the ACSO’s bureaus. The team leads debriefs and provide trained, peer-based support. Each member completes specialized crisis training through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. In 2023, Idaho law officially protected Peer Support conversations, recognizing their role in officer wellness. We’re thankful for these dedicated team members and the meaningful work they do to support their colleagues, every single day. (Note: not all members are pictured in this photo)