Sheriff's captain off to FBI academy

Douglas County Sheriff's Capt. John Milby is spending the next three months at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., and will come home to a new assignment.

Milby, 41, is to be transferred from the jail which he has supervised for four years to investigations.

The 20-year-veteran of the department reports July 12 to the academy.

For the next three months, Milby will be studying ethics, leadership, public speaking, media relations, legal issues and physical fitness.

"You're allowed to select your classes with the exception of the physical fitness which was required. I picked what I thought would be the best classes for me to be able to bring back and make the agency better and me better at my job," Milby said.

He was honored June 30 with a lunch at the J.T. Dining Room & Basque Bar in Gardnerville.

Milby said leaving the jail command was bittersweet. One of his main responsibilities over the past few years has been overseeing a $4 million expansion.

"It's been such a long process, to see it finally become a reality before our eyes," Milby said.

He expects to be back in Douglas County in time for the grand opening.

Sheriff Ron Pierini said it takes about two years for a candidate to be selected to attend the academy.

"It's a real huge benefit to our department and the candidate who gets to go," Pierini said. "Even though we lose somebody for three months, they come back with new ideas and better connection within law enforcement."

With the exception of travel, the federal government pays all expenses.

Milby said his family expects to visit while he's in Virginia.

"My wife has been very supportive," he said. "We've never been apart this long."

Capt. Dan Britton has been transferred from investigations to the jail command. Sgt. Mark Munoz will be in charge of investigations until Milby returns, Pierini said.