Tusayan’s current Mayor and Town Council along with the Coconino Count Sheriff’s office have made it a priority to find someone who patrols the area and lives in Tusayan. That dedication has paid off with the recent addition of Deputy David Garcia-Barragan.

Mayor Clarinda Vail commented, “We welcome Deputy Garica- Barragan to Tusayan. We are delighted he’s here. We can already tell what a caring and professional person he is and what a valuable asset he will be to our community.”

Deputy Garcia-Barragan grew up in California. He graduated college in Phoenix with a degree in Government with an emphasis in legal studies.

“What I find interesting is the community and the bonding, and how everyone knows a little bit of everything that is going on here in town,” said Deputy Garcia-Barragan.

In addition to cutting down on response times, the deputy says there are other advantages to living and patrolling in the same region, “Community trust. Simply going to the local pizza place or the Tusayan General Store; people recognize you and they want to talk to you and there’s that trust and communication.”

He says one of the more unusual tasks is directing lost tourists. They often put their hazard lights on as they drive up Highway 64 not realizing the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park is just a few miles ahead.

Garcia-Barragan says the community has been welcoming, “People want to talk, people want to say hi, which is good. In just establishes those friendships and trusts.”

The deputy’s first language is Spanish and that has been especially helpful in establishing trust with Tusayan’s Spanish speaking residents.

Garcia-Barragan credits Deputy Jacob Lopez, Sergeant Chris Gregor, and Lt. Brian Tozer in helping him establish himself in Tusayan. He notes that in addition to himself, Tusayan is served by the entire Williams District of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s spokesman John Paxton said the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office had resident deputies in Tusayan years ago and it has always been the department’s goal and the goal of the Tusayan Town Council to resume that practice  and they hope to continue that for years to come.

Lt. Brian Tozer added that he has been working with the Forest Service to get permanent housing for resident deputies. In addition to a resident deputy, there is also a community deputy patrolling Tusayan. “Between the two of them we are going to make huge strides in community trust and developing our presence.”