Plumas County Sheriff Todd Johns was just starting to honor Patrol Commander Carson Wingfield at the county board of supervisors meeting Dec. 17 when he was interrupted.
“Commander Wingfield is retiring after 29 years… ”
“Twenty-nine point seven,” came a voice from the back of the board room. It was Wingfield’s.
The interjection was vintage Wingfield. Throughout his career, which began in 1995, he has used humor to defuse tension and brighten often sad situations.
“He has an uncanny ability to get people to smile and laugh,” Johns said.
Wingfield has been a deputy, a training instructor and worked with the SWAT team. As a sergeant in charge of special programs, he has been responsible for special training and animal control operations. Wingfield has also worked closely with the deputy chief of the office of emergency services. He has accrued a long list of accomplishments, including many life-saving circumstances.
“That list doesn’t even scratch the surface—the lives he’s saved, day in and day out,” said Johns.
Supervisor Greg Hagwood added his praise of Wingfield. The two grew up together, then served together in the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office. Wingfield is the third generation in his family to serve in the sheriff’s office.
He has the ability, Hagwood said, to help not only his colleagues but citizens in trying and devastating times.
“It’s a gift you have been blessed with and you have blessed so many people with your service over 29.7 years,” Hagwood told Wingfield. “It’s my extreme good fortune to consider you a friend and a colleague.”
In accepting the praise, Wingfield said, “It’s been a privilege and an honor to serve the citizens of Plumas County. This is where God put me to do this work. It’s time to go!”
