Tyson Pogue
MADERA — There’s a new sheriff in town. Tuesday morning, the Madera County Board of Supervisors swore in Tyson Pogue as Madera County’s new sheriff.
“I am truly humbled and honored as I stand here today,” Pogue said at Tuesday’s board meeting. “I am so appreciative of the support of my co-workers, fellow law enforcement professionals, and of course the board.”
“These are challenging times but I’m up for the challenge,” Pogue added. “As your sheriff, my fundamental duty will be to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder — and to support and defend the constitutional rights of ALL to liberty, equality and justice.”
A 19-year veteran in the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Pogue had been serving as former Sheriff Jay Varney’s undersheriff. Varney retired his badge last month to become Madera County’s top administrator and passed the mantle of command to Pogue, his hand-picked successor.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Varney donned his MCSO uniform to swear Pogue in as the county’s new top cop.
Last week, (June 9), supervisors voted to formally appoint Pogue, 40, who grew up in Oakhurst and began his law enforcement career as a mountain patrol deputy with MCSO. He’s also had supervisory roles with the department’s K-9 squad, dive team and narcotics unit.
Pogue graduates from the FBI National Academy
And like his predecessor Sheriff Varney, Pogue is also a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Pogue will serve out the remainder of Varney’s second term, which expires Jan. 2, 2023.
By law, the County was prohibited from holding a special election to fill the sheriff’s position. If supervisors did not appoint Pogue, the only other option was to hold a lengthy, public application and interview process, which HR Director Elba Gomez told supervisors last week could last for many months.
During last week’s board meeting, a parade of high-profile local officials endorsed Pogue, including District Attorney Sally Moreno and CAL FIRE Chief Matt Watson. “Tyson has done an excellent job — in times of calm and in times of crisis,” Moreno told supervisors. “Tyson has been a great partner for us,” Watson said.
Supervisors Tom Wheeler agreed. “Tyson’s the right guy for the job,” he said. “This is a new era for Madera County.”
