Sheriff’s captain retires after a third of a century in law enforcement

After 28 years with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Capt. Joe Duffy hung up his badge on Friday surrounded by friends and colleagues.

Duffy, who has more than a third of a century in law enforcement under his gun belt, officially retires on Sept. 14, but Friday was his last active day.

Easily 50 people showed up at Minden Meat and Deli for the outdoor event.

He and wife Teresa, who retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2021, plan to remain in Carson Valley where they will be coordinating Fright at the Fairgrounds.

“We love it here,” Duffy said on Friday.

He has a CNC Machine and has been doing signs for wineries, something he hopes to expand.

And he admitted to a colleague that there’s a big stack of “honey do’s” awaiting him.

Duffy began his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1989 and graduated from the Sheriff’s Academy in 1990.

Duffy came to work for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 1995 and worked with K-9s Kilo and Bella for more than a dozen years. He was named captain in 2010 and took on the Lake Tahoe administrative position.

In 2018, he stepped into politics on the retirement of Sheriff Ron Pierini where he came in second to Dan Coverley for the top spot.

Duffy received two medals of distinction, including one for his involvement and actions in an officer-involved shooting incident and the second was issued by Gov. Brian Sandoval for his work in helping countries overseas with gang problems in support of the Nevada National Guard. Duffy holds an Executive POST Certificate from the State of Nevada.

He and Teresa helped organized the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office inaugural Haunted House fundraiser in 2017.

Fright at the Fairgrounds, sponsored by the Sheriff’s Office opens Oct. 6 and will continue Fridays and Saturdays through October this year.

For more information, email frightatthefairgrounds@gmail.com