Sheriff Pope’s Message of the Week on Friday, April 10, 2026

Lyon County NV – April 10, 2026

Next week is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. This is the week we honor the Dispatchers of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. Our dispatch operates 24/7/365, and the men and women in the dispatch center work diligently to ensure that Lyon County’s emergency needs are met with professionalism, expediency, and compassion.

I believe that Dispatchers are the “first” first responders and should be recognized by the legislature as first responders. During the last two legislative sessions that I have been a part of, bills have been brought forward changing the law to reflect dispatchers as first responders. If this bill passes, they would receive the same retirement benefits and health benefits as other first responders. I have adamantly supported these bills and fully believe dispatchers should be recognized for the critical role in public safety, as first responders.

Every call is different. One moment it’s routine, the next, it’s life-threatening. Our dispatchers are trained to stay calm under pressure, helping people through chaos, fear, and uncertainty. And when the call comes in, they answer in seconds, because every second matters. During high-stress situations, dispatchers must coordinate the appropriate response and provide instructions to the callers. In many situations, the information provided to callers is life-saving information. This takes a mental toll on any person; our dispatchers are truly special individuals who put their community’s needs over their own well-being daily.

The phones in dispatch never stop ringing. In 2025, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch center received 55,965 calls for service, up from 2024’s 51,163 calls for service. Before, after, and during critical incidents, the phones keep ringing. The stress of maintaining one’s poise in these situations can be overbearing, but our dispatchers maintain their poise and professionalism. Our dispatchers continue to endure and maintain their part as THE critical element of Lyon County’s public safety team.

If you know a dispatcher, thank them for their service. Please do not call our dispatch center to thank them for their service; they are already handling almost 56,000 other calls! I am extremely proud of every one of our Dispatchers, and their decision to protect Lyon County tirelessly, and with honor.

Respectfully,

Sheriff Brad Pope