After being named “Deputy of the Year” by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, Deputy Curtis Foster was recognized for his accomplishments by the Santa Clarita City Council at its meeting on Tuesday.

Foster’s colleagues and family joined him at the podium alongside the members of the city council when he was presented with a certificate of recognition by Mayor Bob Kellar.

“We truly have a great Sheriff’s Department here in Santa Clarita and we are pleased to honor Deputy Foster,” Kellar said. “They selected Deputy Foster as someone who they feel represents the station and law enforcement with professionalism, enthusiasm, knowledge and good decision-making skills. This is a deputy they wish was their partner every day.”

Foster said he was surprised when he received the news that he was chosen for the title, but was happy to be recognized for his efforts.

“It’s a great honor, a great privilege,” he said. “Something to be very proud of.”

Foster has worked as a field training officer at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station for about a year and a half, and has been a Sheriff’s deputy for eight years.

“When I asked some of his co-workers about why they picked him (for Deputy of the Year), they basically just felt that he was very passionate about his job, that he really cared about being a good role model,” said Shirley Miller, public information officer for the Santa Clarita Valley  Sheriff’s Station. “He’s able to pass on the knowledge, and he has a real interest in his job. He’s just the kind of person that everybody feels that they can count on him.”

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At the Santa Clarita City Council meeting, Kellar read several statements from Foster’s peers about the recognition. One read, “As a field training officer, he is an excellent role model to new deputies.”

Foster said one of the reasons he decided to become a training officer is because of a passion he feels for teaching.

“I was always involved in sports, so coaching and being part of a team and helping people is something that I’ve always enjoyed,” he added. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.”

At the end of every year, both the professional and sworn staff at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are asked to nominate a Deputy of the Year, as well as a Professional Staff Member of the Year.

Foster received the most votes for Deputy of the Year, and Pam Boxwell of the training and scheduling office was named Professional Staff Member of the Year.

“Our deputies are on the front line, and lot of times the ones behind the scenes, people don’t know about, so it’s important to us that we also let the public know that we do recognize our professional staff too,” Miller said. “Pam’s been here 14 years as a civilian and she’s amazing, just very dependable, very responsible and is always happy to help and never complains.”