2 Santa Cruz County Deputies Retire After 30-Year Careers

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office this week announced the retirements of two longtime employees, Chief Deputy Steve Carney and Lt. Jim Ross, both with 30-year careers in local law enforcement.

A Santa Cruz County native, Carney began his career in 1990 as a Scotts Valley Police Department reserve officer. He then moved to the Capitola Police Department in 1991 where he worked as a patrol officer and K-9 handler, before being hired in 1995 with the sheriff’s office as a lateral deputy.

Carney "has spent the past 26 years in pretty much every possible position," the agency said.

Among his assignments: field training officer; Department of Justice Drug Task Force detective; narcotic canine handler; patrol; marijuana enforcement team; corrections bureau; as search-and-rescue team leader; plus 14 years with the SWAT unit.

Ross started in 1989 as a cadet with the sheriff's office and worked as a community services officer and student worker before being hired as a fulltime Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputy in 1992. His resume includes patrol work, field training, with investigations as a sexual assault detective, court security bailiff with the corrections bureau, San Lorenzo Valley community policing sergeant and SWAT team member. Ross also was a leader in the Sheriff’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and served as a board member with the Santa Cruz County Fallen Officer’s Foundation.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office thanked the two for their years of service, sacrifice and leadership.

-------------

ALSO SEE: Crab Feed 2022 Guide: Find The Best In San Francisco Bay Area