After year in Iraq, deputy back on duty

He's 15 pounds lighter after serving a year in Iraq, and Douglas County sheriff's deputy Scott Newton said he is happy to be home and ready to return to work in the county jail.

Newton was honored Monday at a reception at the sheriff's office training room attended by his colleagues and his daughter, Autumn, 16.

A sign on the chalkboard read, "Home of the free because of the brave like Newton."

Newton, 46, served as a chief petty officer in the Naval Reserves guarding detainees at an internment camp near the Iran border.

"There were no casualties and no one escaped from his custody," said Lt. John Milby.

Milby said it was because of people like Newton that "all of us have had the luxury of the last five years of living our lives relatively uninterrupted."

Newton received a standing ovation.

"It's definitely good to be back," he said. "You see all the negativity in the news. The guys are doing good things over there. They are doing what they think is right and that makes it all worthwhile."

Newton was deployed on Sept. 19, 2005, - his daughter's 15th birthday - and returned Oct. 3.

He spoke Monday about Army Pfc. Brandon Williams of Gardnerville who died Oct. 9 in Baghdad and was buried Saturday in Eastside Memorial Park with full military honors.

"I didn't know him, but I know people like him. I served with guys like him. He was a fine young man doing a good job and doing a good thing."

Sgt. Joe Sanford returned a small white box to Newton that was taped shut with his wife Leahdawn's name written on it.

"It's my 'box of no return,'" Newton said. "It was in case I didn't come back."

Newton said it contained messages for his family and people he worked with.

He said he appreciated the support while he was gone that included packages shipped to him in Iraq by the staff at the Lake Tahoe sheriff's substation and handshakes from strangers who thanked him for serving as he made his way back to Nevada.

Newton returns to work Nov. 7. at the jail where he has been a deputy for 14-1/2 years.

He said he would enjoy being at home with his wife and daughters Autumn and Holiday, 9, before returning to work.

"You don't realize the stuff you take for granted," he said.

Autumn Newton said she was happy to have her father back home, especially since he left on her birthday last year.

"We talked a lot by e-mail, but it was kind of weird to see him," she said. "He's a lot skinnier."

Douglas sheriff's Sgt. Jim Halsey, also serving with the Naval Reserves, was deployed to Iraq in September. He is serving with a mobile construction battalion.

Sheriff Ron Pierini said while the absences stretched department resources, the inconvenience did not compare to the sacrifices made by the deputies and their families.

"For us who saw the funeral Saturday, our inconvenience didn't seem like much. It's a great and happy note for us to be able to put you back in our uniform," Pierini said.