Three Muscogee County sheriff’s deputies move up in ranks
Three Muscogee County sheriff’s deputies assumed new positions Tuesday during a promotion ceremony on the plaza level of the Columbus Government Center.
Sheriff John Darr promoted Chuck Pickett from lieutenant to captain; Cynthia Zeisloft from sergeant to lieutenant and Wayne Brassard from corporal to sergeant. Darr said the promotions are the result of open positions in the department that include managing the county jail, serving papers and providing security for all the courtrooms.
Pickett, 48, will serve as director of training and in the bureau of human resources. He also will work in warrant services and civil processes in the sheriff’s office.
Pickett said he’s excited about the new position. “It’s very humbling but I’m excited for the challenge,” he said.
With more than 24 years at the sheriff’s office, Pickett said the office is more professional than it’s ever been. “We still got a ways to go yet,” he said. “We can still improve. We take things in a more professional way.”
Zeisloft, 46, is looking forward to her new position in the jail. “I’m excited about the next step in the next journey I have with a whole new group of people serving sheriff’s department,” she said.
Since starting with the sheriff’s office 16 years ago, Zeisloft said she has enjoyed serving on Counter Sniper Team and training new rookies.
Brassard, a seven-year veteran, hasn’t received his new assignment but he also will be assigned to the jail. “I have to wait until Monday,” he said.
Darr noted that Brassard, 35, takes a lot of heat for doing the job right at the jail. He does things the right way not only for the safety of the officer but for the safety of the inmates.
“You want people coming into the agency to do things the right way from the beginning,” Darr said of Brassard. “That’s why he is standing here today.”
With many veteran deputies retiring, Darr said more promotions are expected later this year to fill those positions.
This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Three Muscogee County sheriff’s deputies move up in ranks."