March 11, 2008
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

SHERIFF JOHNSON PROMOTES THREE DEPUTIES 

Dana White, a 21-year veteran with the Sheriff’s Office, earned his captain’s bars on Tuesday and has assumed command of the Sheriff’s Office’s law enforcement operations in Northeast Volusia. White was among three deputies promoted by Sheriff Ben Johnson during a ceremony at the Stephen Saboda Training Center in Daytona Beach. The other two to move up the supervisory ranks were Lieutenant Brodie Hughes and Sergeant Joel Turney. One of 11 captains in the agency, White succeeds District Commander Captain John Szaroleta, who retires on March 31 after 30 years on the job. “You’ve worked hard to get here,” Sheriff Johnson told White in front of a large crowd of friends, family and co-workers. “We’re real proud of you.” 

A versatile and well-rounded deputy with a wide range of law enforcement skills, White started his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1987 after serving a stint with the Daytona Beach Police Department and seven years as a lifeguard with the Volusia County Beach Patrol. The 47-year-old White, who has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Bellevue University, has served in road patrol and as a marine deputy along with assignments on the dive team and as a flight paramedic. He also supervised several specialized units in the Special Services Section and has served as an assistant district commander, but this is his first assignment heading up a district. In his new assignment in District 3, based in Holly Hill, White supervises all of the Sheriff’s Office’s law enforcement operations in Northeast Volusia County.  “You’ve always been there for us, and I know you’re going to continue doing a great job for the citizens in your new assignment,” said Sheriff Johnson. 

Newly-promoted to the rank of lieutenant, Hughes has been assigned to serve as one of the agency’s two Watch Commanders. The Watch Commanders supervise and coordinate law enforcement operations between 5 p.m.-5 a.m. and also serve as incident commanders at all serious incidents. Prior to his new assignment, Hughes worked in road patrol, civil and court services during his 12½-year career with the Sheriff’s Office and also supervised two specialized units in Deltona -- the traffic unit and the street crimes unit. As an ancillary duty to his current assignment, Hughes also supervises the agency’s hostage negotiations team. The 33-year-old Hughes first came to work for the Sheriff’s Office in 1995. “You’ve been a great member of the department, and you’ve definitely earned this,” Sheriff Johnson told Hughes.

Also promoted Tuesday was Turney, who is 34-years-old and has been with the Sheriff’s Office since October 2002. He has been assigned to road patrol in Deltona.