MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson is proud to announce two deputy sheriffs and a dispatcher have joined the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies Drew Kirchert and Christopher Williams both come to Madera County with impressive backgrounds in law enforcement. Prior to signing on with Madera County, both deputies worked for Kings County.
Deputy Kirchert comes to Madera County after a nearly three-year career with the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, equipped with a specialized background in Swift Water Rescue.
“We’re confident that he can, and more than likely will apply that skill here,” says Sheriff Anderson. “Our Search & Rescue Unit can always use that kind of talent and expertise.”
Deputy Williams is a Madera County native, having grown up in Coarsegold and graduated from Yosemite High School in Oakhurst. He started his career in law enforcement at Table Mountain Casino where he was trained and certified as an Explosives Detection Canine Handler – one of a select few in the state, and the first in Central California.
Williams then worked for Sanger Police Department where he spent eight years as a patrolman, Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor and Motor Officer, before trading in his blues for green. Like so many others who have come home to Madera County, Deputy Williams has had his share of swearing-ins, but this one was a special moment for his entire family who still calls Eastern Madera County home.
The Sheriff’s Office also celebrated the swearing-in of Mike Nowka, who may be the newest member of the Sheriff’s 911 Communication Center, but he’s no novice. Nowka first signed on with the Sheriff’s Office in June 8, 1998, as a dispatcher. Within his first year he received a Sergeant’s commendation for his handling of a pursuit.
A couple years later he would receive yet another commendation for his critical assistance in a Search & Rescue operation, and would receive a letter of gratitude from the citizen whose daughter went missing. In May 2004. Nowka left Madera after accepting a job in Hawaii. As luck would have it, he too finally decided it was time to return home.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is still accepting application for both Deputy and Dispatcher positions. To learn more, click on the following Madera County link: http://www.madera-county.com/index.php/forms-and-documents/category/126-continuous-recruitments.
