Law enforcement in his blood

With 23 years under his belt in Nevada law enforcement, Undersheriff Steve Albertsen said he still enjoys his job and relishes in the challenges of his appointment as second in command at the Carson City Sheriff's Department.

"I love what I do," he said Sunday. "We're continuing to evaluate and change things and come up with new programs."

In the 13 months since Sheriff Kenny Furlong was elected, Albertsen and Furlong have revitalized the reserve unit, instituted a citizens academy, and put volunteers on the street in marked cars. When something happens, from

auto accidents to armed robberies, Furlong, Albertsen or Chief Deputy Steve Schuette are on scene.

Moving to Carson City in 1976 from Oxnard, Calif., Albertsen said he started as a Carson City reserve deputy in 1978, while he paid the bills as a "cable guy."

In 1981, Albertsen, 49, took a full-time position with the Sheriff's Department. He was on patrol for a number of years then became a juvenile gang officer and worked narcotics. That experience proved valuable to the Nevada Division of Investigations, where Albertsen took a position in Winnemucca and then Fallon. In 1995, he was promoted to lieutenant and headed the North Tahoe Narcotics Taskforce.

He then came back to Carson City to supervise the Tri-Net Drug Taskforce and then

the Major Crimes Unit. There, Furlong worked for Albertsen.

The two kid about how the tables have turned.

"Maybe I assigned him a couple of bad cases back then, and he's wants to get me back," Albertsen said, laughing.

He and his wife. Candy, raised their children here: Trisha, Jennifer, Tiffany and Todd.

Tiffany followed in the footsteps of Albersten's father, Norman, and joined the Navy. She is stationed on the USS Kittyhawk in Japan as a master at arms, military police.

Norman Albertsen, now 85, spent 21Ú2 years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp during World War II. The elder Albertsens moved to Carson City two years ago.

Steve Albertsen said he first thought of being a firefighter and volunteered for Warren Engine Company as well as a reserve deputy.

He's since realized law enforcement is in his blood.

"I like the job;, it's exciting and challenging," he said. "I like working with everyone at the sheriff's office here, and have the opportunity to help make this a great sheriff's department."

Contact F.T. Norton at fnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.