REGIONAL— Six new St. Louis County deputies were recognized earlier this month during a ceremonial pinning of badges held at the county’s Public Safety Building in Duluth.
Sheriff Gordon Ramsay welcomed the new deputies - the first group hired since Ramsay took office. The new deputies include Trevor Dowton, Nicholas Brown, Zachary Hway, Saul Jeanetta, Daniel Merrill and Madison Sand.
Dowton was hired in May and has completed the Field Training Officer portion of his instructional period, meaning he now can respond to calls on his own. The other five were hired in September and are still working alongside a Field Training Officer. 
“This is a difficult profession, and we need to keep the best and the brightest” said Ramsay. “By establishing good relationships with the people we serve, we can do our role better, and it’s more enjoyable. Our best deputies know how to use the authority we’re given and treat people well.”
The ceremony also was an opportunity to highlight deputies who’ve been promoted in the last year.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for all law enforcement activity in the
unincorporated areas of St. Louis County, as well as several cities. Sheriff’s deputies operate out
of regional offices in Duluth, Virginia and Hibbing, with additional stations in Cook, Ely and Mt. Iron.