Undersheriff Josh DeBree begins new role

In September, DeBree became the new Albany County undersheriff, succeeding his late father. His first official day on the job was Sept. 26.

For Albany County Sheriff Dave O’Malley, the promotion was an easy decision.

“He’s been here for a long period of time,” O’Malley said. “He’s been a supervisor in the patrol division. He started in detention. And I just had every confidence in him, that he would be the best choice, and that’s why I made that selection.”

DeBree, 34, was born in Colorado and raised in Laramie. He graduated from Laramie High School in 2001 and went on to study criminal justice at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington.

He joined the sheriff’s office in 2004 as a detention deputy, handling tasks such as prisoner transport, security and booking and feeding inmates. He became a patrol deputy several years later, and from there, he rose through the ranks to corporal, and later patrol sergeant, where he oversaw the operations of the patrol division.

As undersheriff, DeBree is in charge of supervising upper command-level personnel and front office and civilian positions, ensuring employee compliance with policy, procedure and regulations and taking on responsibilities assigned by the sheriff.

During the sheriff’s temporary absence from duty, the undersheriff also assumes the sheriff’s duties and responsibilities.

DeBree said he plans to “continue to lead our agency into the future and be the best law enforcement agency we can be,” in addition to working on his father’s goals and projects.

“He was in charge of vehicle replacement programs, procurement of equipment,” DeBree said.

“We just recently got all new portable radios for both patrol and detention deputies.”

DeBree has been part of the office’s search and rescue team for 12 years and estimates he participated in 50-60 winter rescues during that time. He has also been a K-9 handler for more than five years and plans to continue with the program, where he works with a male German shepherd named Luger.

“My dad was one of the first K-9 handlers in Albany County law enforcement,” DeBree said. “Growing up, I was around him and his dogs. He ran two dogs himself. Loved the breed, was always intrigued about the work, and when an opportunity became available for me to apply for that position, I immediately took it and was assigned it by Sheriff O’Malley.”

DeBree lives with his wife, Brande, and three children, Braiden, Hunter and Baylee. When he’s not at the sheriff’s office, he can typically be found hunting, fishing and camping with his family.

Becoming undersheriff was a bittersweet experience, DeBree said, adding he enjoys working with O’Malley, who he described as an “excellent leader, excellent mentor.”

“I was honored to be able to take that position under Sheriff O’Malley, and even more honored to be able to fill my dad’s role,” he said.

“I have some big shoes to fill, but I think with Dave’s leadership that there’s no doubt that I can do it.”