Deputies bid Cryer a fond farewell

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  • Deputies bid Cryer a fond farewell
    Deputies bid Cryer a fond farewell
  • Marshall County Sheriff Danny Cryer left the Sheriff’s Office on December 31, 2020 to allow the new Sheriff-elect Donald Yow to begin his run. Courtesy photo
    Marshall County Sheriff Danny Cryer left the Sheriff’s Office on December 31, 2020 to allow the new Sheriff-elect Donald Yow to begin his run. Courtesy photo
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The circle of life is more than life and death for an individual. It is also the beginning and ending of relationships. It is always difficult to say goodbye to coworkers when one leaves a job. Typically, the average worker stays at a job for approximately four and a half years. Keeping that in mind, leaving the work relationships that have developed over that period of time is difficult.

Now, imagine being at a job for over 20 years and having to say goodbye to your work family. That must be devastating. Former Marshall County Sheriff Danny Cryer’s last day as sheriff was December 31, 2020. After former Madill Police Chief Donald Yow won the race for Marshall County Sheriff in July 2020, Cryer had to hand over the reins to Yow and walk away from a job he has loved for over 20 years at the end of December.

In a touching letter to his former coworkers, Cryer summed up his feelings for the staff of the Marshall County Jail.

“Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank you for your past hard work, dedication, and commitment to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office,” Cryer wrote in the letter. “Without your support and involvement, this could not and would not have been the successful organization that it is. Four years ago, I undertook the task of finishing the build of the new jail, and I hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I have. Please continue to take care of the building, which in turn should keep you safe in your daily tasks.”

Cryer then told the staff how important they were to him.

“You have been a pleasure to work with, and without you, the job I have would not have been possible,” Cryer continued. “Best of luck to each of you in your future endeavors, what ever they may be. I wish you health and happiness in the years to come.”

A few staff members took the opportunity to let Cryer just how much he means to them and how much they learned from him.

“I have known Sheriff Cryer for over 20 years,” Administrative Assistant Rebecca Perkinson said in a letter to The Madill Record. “I worked with him at CM Trailers years ago and had the pleasure of working for him at the Marshall County Sheriff’s office for the last five. He has been one of the best bosses I have ever had. You never had to question his dedication to Marshall County as he always had an open ear for anyone that had a problem.”

“He always has been a hardworking, dedicated person that loved his family, friends, coworkers, and every person in Marshall County,” Perkinson continued. “He has dedicated the last 20 years of his life trying to make this county the best he could. He strived his entire career to try to keep the county safe by getting drugs off the street, intoxicated drivers off the road and stolen property back to its rightful owners. Danny is a dedicated friend that has always been there when anyone he considers a friend or family needs him.”

“Under Danny’s guidance, the Marshall County Detention Center was updated with a state-of-the-art facility,” Perkinson said of the jail construction that Cryer is so proud of. “He also took the antiquated 911 equipment and found a way to get it upgraded to a state-of-the-art system. Danny partnered with the Emergency Management and the Commissioners in the beginning of 2020 to also update the radio system. Due to COVID-19, it has not been installed as of his final day, but he has made it to where the radio system will be ready and fully funded by grants and the Sheriff’s Office. Danny has also streamlined costs at the sheriff’s office and the correction center. He has managed to conform and build a budget that has extremely reduced the financial hardships of year’s past.”

“He has been the best Sheriff I have worked for,” continued Perkinson. “He is dedicated and caring and turned Marshall County Sheriff’s Office employees feel more like a family than any place I have ever worked. He truly cares about the county that he has spent his entire life in and will truly be missed by employees and citizens alike.”

Marshall County Deputy Kasey Cox put his thoughts to paper, as well to let Cryer know just what he means to the staff.

“Danny, thank you for always believing in me, and for giving me the opportunity to

serve Marshall County as a deputy,” Cox said in a statement. “It has been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for the wisdom, guidance and friendship you have shared with me. Lastly, thank you for your dedication to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and to the citizens of Marshall County. I wish you the best of luck on your next adventure.”

Henry Walker, the Marshall County Jail Administrator added a few of his thoughts, too.

“I, Henry Walker, Jail Administrator have known Danny for 14 years,” Walker said in a letter. “He has been my greatest teacher in law enforcement. When he teaches a class, he made I enjoyable and was able to answer all the questions I had where I could understand them, and if I could not understand them, he never gave up. When he took over the Sheriff’s Office, he made it a family-oriented workplace. You could tell her cared about ALL of his employees.”

“In his own time, he was willing to help you in life’s little problems,” Walker continued. “Giving you a different way to look at things. I know in my heart that I will always love and respect Danny Cryer. In the future, I’m going to look for his guidance in everything I do.”