The Merced County Sheriff’s office announced today, that for the first time in nearly two decades the Department is fully staffed with deputies.

Sheriff Vern Warnke had the privilege of swearing-in the three new deputies this morning bringing an end to the staffing issues the department was having issues with two years ago.

Sheriff Warnke expressed his sincere thanks to a majority of the Merced County Board of Supervisors for working with him to make this milestone happen.

“The best part of the fully staffed Sheriff’s Office was having the opportunity to put more boots on the ground”, said Warnke.

Also being able to bring back some of the special teams, (STAR, Gang Task Force, Marijuana Eradication Team) to help with fighting crime, Sheriff Warnke added, “It also helps with the stresses this office was feeling when we were working several hours of overtime every week just to keep deputies on the streets”.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office welcomed Deputy Sheriff Julian Rico, Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Saechao, and Deputy Sheriff Oscar Ochoa Flores to the family.