New Madison County female deputy: 'I get the same respect the guys get' - East Idaho News
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New Madison County female deputy: ‘I get the same respect the guys get’

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REXBURG — It’s been seven years since Madison County had a female deputy, but all that changed recently.

Now the office has two female officers. Eight months ago Alyssa Evans was hired as a patrol deputy and three months ago Samantha Ramirez of California joined the team in a similar role.

“I’ve gotten all kinds of reactions,” Evans told EastIdahoNews.com. “For the most part, everyone’s super respectful. I get the same respect the guys get.”

Prior to becoming a full-time patrol officer last July, Evans completed an internship program with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. She also trained with the Rigby Police Department as a reserve officer before making the switch back to Madison County.

The Illinois native graduated last April from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a bachelors degree in criminology and sociology. She’s the only person in her family to become an officer.

“I’ve always been interested in law enforcement and always wanted to be a police officer,” Evans said.

AlyssaEvans
Deputy Evans standing in front of her patrol vehicle. | Photo by Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com

Evans said she’s received an outpouring of support from her family and the community, although a few people have been skeptical of a woman working in a dangerous field of work.

“Something that motivated me was people telling me I couldn’t do it,” Evans said.

Ramirez has similar feelings about being working at the office. Also a BYU-Idaho graduate, Ramirez said she’s enjoying the job as a patrol officer.

“There’s a lot of stuff that happens that you normally wouldn’t think happens here. It’s a safe place, but it still keeps us busy,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said it’s nice to have Evans by her side as they both bring a woman’s perspective to certain situations.

Ramirez will soon be heading to Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) in Boise. POST is mandatory training for every law enforcement officer in the state.

Madison County Sheriff Captain Cameron Stanford tells EastIdahoNews.com women bring a unique positive dimension to law enforcement.

“It’s all about talking to the people,” Stanford said. “We don’t have as many altercations with people and it’s more of how to talk and to de-escalate situations.”

Stanford said his office is always looking for talented men and women to serve.

And, to women thinking of going into law enforcement, Evans had one thing to say.

“If it is a dream definitely pursue it,” Evans said. “It’s been very rewarding for me and definitely the right place for me so if it’s something a female’s interested in, I definitely would encourage them to pursue it.”

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