Melissa Voss | Editor
After taking oath and becoming the Hartford sheriff deputy, Damian Kardas’ goal is to be visible and active within the Hartford community.
Growing up in Oceanside, California, Kardas moved to Sioux Falls at the age of 18 to play baseball for the University of Sioux Falls in 2008. There, he studied criminal justice and took up an internship at Glory House in 2013. Upon graduation, he was offered an entry-level position at Glory House and remained there till 2013. He then worked in the Jail Division till August 2018, where he became a patrol officer. He then applied for the Hartford sheriff deputy position and started on July 27.
As a sheriff deputy, Kardas carries out basic law enforcement procedures, traffic stops, civil processes, warrants, attending events and being a visible figure within the community.
But Kardas wants members of the community to remember that he is an individual behind the badge.
“Law enforcement and deputies alike, we are all human. We make mistakes, we are not just our uniform,” Kardas states.
He states that it will take him some time to build relationships, so he hopes that “everyone is willing to be patient.”
Kardas looks forward to building relationships with members of the community and is excited to be in Hartford and hopes that he can work to keep the community safe.
“Just lock your cars,” Kardas jokes.