Sheriff names new chief deputy

Cmdr. Chris Godfrey will be appointed to the rank of chief deputy when Chief Dante Honorico retires in mid-February, according to Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks.

Godfrey joined the sheriff's department in 1978 after serving as a sailor on a nuclear submarine for four years. His assignments have included detention services, investigations, internal affairs and acting chief of police for the city of Fillmore.

As a commander, Godfrey worked as the director of the Emergency Operations Center during the funeral of former President Ronald Reagan and the Alaska 261 disaster. He was featured in a training film produced by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. He also oversaw the research, acquisition, policy development, training and community education involved in the implementation of the Taser program.

Godfrey has a master of public administration degree from Cal State Northridge. He and his wife, Patty, have one adult daughter.