Sheriff Mark Danels highlights holiday charity work and a hospice visitation arranged from county jail

Sheriff Mark Danels told listeners on KWCD’s First Watch that Cochise County law-enforcement teams have been heavily involved in holiday charity efforts across the county and recounted a recent humanitarian gesture involving an inmate and a dying parent. "We took him up late last night...so he could spend some time with his dad, but also say goodbye," Danels said, describing coordination with hospital staff and after-hours transportation to minimize security risks.

Danels reviewed several community programs the sheriff’s office supports during the season, including the Shop with a Cop events in Benson and Douglas and a stocking-stuffers distribution tied to the Sheriff’s Assist Team and San Pedro Kids Inc. He emphasized the emotional impact on children and families, describing a child who had been picked up from a shelter to attend shopping and noting how local volunteers and law-enforcement partners come together to provide gifts and meals.

On public safety, Danels urged safe driving and described two recent traffic stops that he said illustrated common causes of crashes: speeding in a 25 mph zone and slow, drifting driving that can indicate impairment. He also recounted outreach to isolated seniors and a Tombstone case in which a 70-something woman lost her home in a fire and received short-term housing from the sheriff’s office.

Danels spoke about his recent trip to Washington, D.C., where he attended a Homeland Security Advisory Council meeting as a presidential appointee and said he discussed improving coordination between federal agencies and local communities on public-safety issues. "I'm the only one on the committee that represents directly for the community," he said.

The sheriff repeatedly credited community partners and volunteers, invited listeners to contact the sheriff’s office when families need assistance and reminded the public that some assistance programs are short-term while staff and community groups seek longer-term housing solutions.

The sheriff closed by promoting county parade appearances and local holiday schedules and urged listeners to follow the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook for event updates.