Camp Deputy Returns July 25 – 30
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Tyler Hill (center) presents a $500 donation from Mechanics Bank to help Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch fund Camp Deputy this summer. Hill also serves on the Friends of the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department, a non-profit organization that has worked with Gooch and former sheriffs to help support youth programs and other community events. Other board members who serve on the non-profit include (from left) David Howell and Tonya Eubanks and deputy Ralph Horton (right).
Registration is underway for the Yalobusha County Sheriff Department’s Camp Deputy. The week-long camp for youth ages seven to 17 is scheduled July 25 through July 30 at the Multi-Purpose Building on Hwy. 7 in Coffeeville.
Founded last year by the late Sheriff Mark D. Fulco, the camp was an immediate success as participants from across the county enjoyed classes taught by law enforcement agencies and other officials.
“It is very important to continue this event that meant so much to Mark,” Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch reported. “There are times when we see youth who are scared or feel intimidated by law enforcement officers. Our goal is to help change that perception and it is important to build that trust at an early age.”
Gooch added that building that trust is critical for many reasons
“If something is going on at home or they see something out in the community, we want our youth in the county to feel comfortable talking with deputies or police officers,” the sheriff added.
Lt. Ralph Horton, a deputy with the department assisted with the 2021 camp and also is excited about this year’s event.
“This was Mark’s idea, not only to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community as a whole, but to get the youth in the community involved,” Horton explained.
Horton also reiterated the importance of instilling trust and teaching youth that law enforcement officers are their friends.
“I had an incident last week when I was standing in line at the grocery store,” Horton shared. “A kid was also standing in line was acting out a little and a family member asked if the child wanted the deputy to take them to jail. We have to change that way of thinking.”
Law enforcement agencies from across the area will be participating in the camp with different programs ranging from raising awareness about bullying to the dangers of fentanyl. The camp starts each morning at 7 a.m. with breakfast and check-in. Classes start at 8 a.m. and continue until noon Monday, July 25, through Friday, July 29. Lunch is served at noon and pick-up is between noon and 1 p.m. Graduation is scheduled Saturday morning at the Multi-Purpose Building.
Applications for Camp Deputy are available at the sheriff’s office in Water Valley or from deputies. For more information about the camp or to make a donation, contact Sheriff Gooch or Lt. Horton at (662) 473-3602.
Sheriff Gooch urged parents to register their children early to ensure they will have a spot.
“We already some kids signed up, and I think we will have a big turnout,” the sheriff added.
Tax deductible donations can also be mailed to the non-profit, Friends of the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department at 11803, Hwy. 32, Water Valley, MS 38965. The non-profit organization was founded in 2018 and has assisted the department under sheriffs Lance Humphreys, Mark D. Fulco and Jerimaine Gooch with fundraisers for events that serve the community. Officers of the non-profit include David Howell, Tyler Hill, Tonya Eubanks and Ralph Horton.
The late Sheriff Mark D. Fulco is pictured at Camp Deputy last summer. He started the week-long camp to help instill trust between law enforcement officers and youth in the county.
