Cochise County sheriff outlines budget review, staff changes and honors search-and-rescue volunteer

The Cochise County sheriff told listeners on the county’s First Watch radio program that he held annual staff meetings after filing the department budget and used the sessions to update employees and hear frontline concerns.

“I just presented my budget last Monday,” the sheriff said, explaining the meetings are scheduled after budget season to review the year, discuss next steps and solicit feedback from deputies and jail staff. The program did not include monetary details of the budget; budget totals were not specified.

The sheriff highlighted recent gatherings with the sheriff’s assist team and the county search-and-rescue (SAR) community. He said Ursula Ritchie was named SAR coordinator of the year at a ceremony in Heber and that Dave Nolan authored the nomination. “She did not know she was getting this award,” he said, calling the recognition a career highlight after decades of service.

The sheriff also announced personnel changes: Colonel Brandon Deaver is expected to join as chief of staff in June and will attend police academy training in July for certification, while current chief of staff Tom Alina will step back from full-time duty and remain on staff as a senior adviser. The sheriff described Alina as a long-serving officer whose institutional knowledge the office will continue to rely on.

Several long-serving detention staff were noted as retiring. The sheriff named Nick Cividra, who served about 25 years in detention, and Lt. Ken Foster, described as having roughly 30 years of service and a military background. The office marked detention officer week and nurses’ week during the program and reminded listeners that jail medical services are now overseen by the sheriff’s office.

Hosts Carol Kappas and Grady Butler, identified in the program as Cochise County public information officers, closed the segment with community acknowledgments and thanks to volunteers and staff. A later remark in the transcript referenced a recent passing and a booking but was cut off and lacked detail.

The sheriff’s remarks were presented as updates and acknowledgments; no formal votes or policy actions were recorded during the broadcast. The program’s sponsor was Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.