GCSD's Ware promoted to captain

Now in his 25th year with the Garland County Sheriff's Department, Lt. Joel Ware was promoted to captain of Enforcement in the Patrol Division Wednesday morning.

Ware said he was "absolutely not" expecting the promotion. He had applied for the job, but said he was "up against some really great candidates."

"I was honored," Ware said about hearing that Sheriff Mike McCormick had selected him for the job.

"I'm excited," McCormick said. "He brings a lot of seniority, experience and loyalty to the department. We are fortunate to have him on board ... Joel's proven himself over the years."

Ware said he decided to apply for the job because "I want to be an advocate for the deputies that work under me, but also an advocate for the sheriff's office. The department is great and I want to continue to make it grow and be that much better."

A Garland County native, Ware graduated from Fountain Lake High School in 1992. Ware said he felt a calling to serve, which led to him to join the department. Noting that his father served in the Air Force and he has brothers in the U.S. Army, Ware said, "I come from a military background, but I chose the law enforcement side of serving."

Ware never left the GCSD after he was hired in 1995. He started out as a resource deputy and was later made corporal and then lieutenant. In February, Ware transferred to the Patrol Division after 14 years in the Criminal Investigation Division. Ware said the switch of departments was a mutual decision between him and McCormick. The change, Ware said, has allowed him to blossom.

As to why he has stayed with the department for all these years, Ware said, "I think it's been the people I work with. We're a big family and we stick together."

For his new job, Ware said he will oversee the daily operations of the Patrol Division.

"Making sure the deputies are doing their part to make the public safe," Ware said. He will have administrative duties, as well.

"(I'm) very excited. I'm up for a challenge and I'm looking forward to this endeavor," he said.