By Terra Avilla
Well. No time like the present to take a huge swing and write about an absolute Lassen County Legend.
Someone so outstanding, and well-loved, that I have literally avoided writing about him in fear that I won’t do him justice.
Yes. I know how idiotic that sounds, but when you are the homegrown Sheriff of our beloved county, and literally one of the most cherished people around, the thought of trying to articulate how special he is, is a bit daunting.
So, yes. This week, I tackle our Sheriff, Dean Growdon.
One of the reasons, Lassen is such a unique place to live, is the fact that these very “high profile people” are very accessible to the public. When I lived in Reno, prior to being in law enforcement, I had no idea who the Sheriff was, what he looked like, who his wife was, etc.
I am fairly certain that the average high schooler growing up in Lassen County would know who the sheriff is, and they probably have met him.
Sheriff Growdon is a true member of this community. He makes himself accessible to everyone, because he is always out and about.
Through fires, Covid, threats, etc, Sheriff Growdon is a true leader of our community.
I remember several years ago when a threat came in that caused lockdowns at all of our local schools. The High school became “ground zero” and within minutes, Sheriff Growdon responded.
His cool and calm demeanor, but also just confidence that he knew what he was doing, made everyone feel better – law enforcement and school staff alike. He is the type of person that when stuff hits the fan, people are going to look to for advice, because he just exudes confidence.
Also, can we talk about how humble and down to earth he is? As our elected Sheriff it most definitely is a position of prestige, however meeting him out and about, he is very unassuming, and has never acted haughty or pretentious.
He is a family man, and a great cop. And I really think that’s what makes him such a great sheriff. Did you all know he was elected in his thirties? Do you know in law enforcement what a crazy feat that is? And he was, and is, able to do it well.
Whether it be volunteering for rodeo, or attending his son’s basketball games, to showing up in the middle of the night to help his staff with emergency evacuations from all regions of this county, our Sheriff gets things done.
He has a true servant’s heart, and the follow through to do it. And I absolutely could not write this article without mentioning how loved he is by his Deputies. It is easy for the public to like you, but a true test of a leader is to examine how those he supervises feel about him, and they will tell you he is a great leader.
Great Leaders don’t set out to be leaders, they set out to make a difference. And what a difference Sheriff Growdon has made. I am honored to call him our Sheriff and can assure you Lassen County is a safer and better place because of him, who obviously, is one of the reasons I love the place we live.
