Jerome Police Department

05/27/2026

Jerome Police and Jerome Fire Departments had a great training weekend working on rope technician refresher.

05/08/2026

This afternoon, the Jerome Fire Department responded as mutual aid alongside our partner agencies throughout the Verde Valley to a technical rope rescue in Sycamore Canyon after the initial response by Verde Valley Fire District.

An individual had fallen from a cliff and remained stranded for more than six hours before being located. Fortunately, nearby passersby heard the individual calling for help and immediately contacted 911.

Upon arrival, rescue personnel navigated difficult terrain to reach the patient. Medics on scene stabilized the individual while technical rescue teams established a rope system to safely extricate the patient from the canyon. Once removed from the scene, the patient was transported to a waiting helicopter for advanced medical care.

Our thoughts are with the patient and their family during this difficult time. We hope for a speedy recovery from this traumatic incident.

We would like to thank all agencies and personnel involved for their professionalism, teamwork, and dedication during this complex rescue operation. We also extend our gratitude to the Good Samaritans whose quick actions and call to 911 played a critical role in the successful outcome of this incident.

Agencies Involved:
• Verde Valley Fire District
• Jerome Fire Department
• Cottonwood Fire and Medical
• Copper Canyon Fire & Medical District
• U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement
• Jerome Police Department
• Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Native Air
• Verde Search and Rescue
• Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO)

04/06/2026

The Jerome Police Department 2026 Awards Banquet, hosted on April 4th, 2026, was an incredible evening filled with pride, gratitude, and recognition. It was an honor to celebrate the outstanding men and women who serve this community.

Thank you to Chief Rusty San Felice and Deputy Chief Mike Odle for the steady leadership you bring to this department every day. The banquet reflected the same thing you show year round, support for your people and a clear commitment to recognizing the work being done out there.

A special thank you to Roger and Linda from the Miner’s Café for the amazing food, it truly made the night even more memorable.

We were also honored to have Town Councilman Jack Dillenberg and his wife, Jamie, join us for the evening. Your support means a great deal to us.

And a big, if not the biggest, shout-out to Donna Odle for her hard work preparing the beautiful centerpieces and table settings. The event was even more perfect thanks to you.

Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients:

• Merit Award – Officer David Freeman
• Chief’s Award – DC Mike Odle, SGT Nicole Florisi, PEO Tamara Lee, Admin Aide Janice Pontious
• Criminal Investigations Award – Officer Mark Boan, Officer Carlos Godina
• Certificate of Recognition – Police Dispatcher Gabby San Felice
• Employee of the Year – Parking Enforcement Officer Kirt DeMichiel
• Letters of Commendation – SGT Kerry Lee, Officer Carlos Godina
• Promotion to Sergeant – SGT Kerry Lee
• Retirement Celebration – Corporal William Lionberger (15 years of service with JPD)

Your commitment to service does not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do for Jerome. 🖤💙🖤

03/10/2026

Expect 24-hour restrictions on SR 89A in Jerome March 9-13 for sidewalk work

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for continuous, 24-hour lane restrictions on State Route 89A between Hill Street and Country Road in Jerome for sidewalk replacement work.
The following restrictions will be in place daily from 6 a.m to 3 p.m. Monday, March 9, through Friday, March 13:
• SR 89A will be reduced to one lane only with alternating north- and southbound travel near Hill Street (milepost 344).
• A temporary traffic signal will be installed to control traffic while the sidewalk replacement work is underway.
• Drivers should anticipate brief delays while work is underway.
Work is needed so crews can replace the sidewalk and to improve safety for pedestrians.

02/10/2026

Today, our K-9 team spent the day training at Luke Air Force Base, working alongside fellow K-9 teams and trainers to sharpen their accelerant detection and trailing skills. Strong partnerships and continued training with agencies across the state help ensure our teams are always ready to serve and deploy when needed.

Thank you to Luke AFB and our K-9 partners for the opportunity to train together.

02/05/2026

The Jerome Police and Fire Departments extend our heartfelt condolences to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and to the families, friends, and coworkers grieving this tragic loss. We work closely with DPS, and they are a vital part of the life-saving work in our area. Their dedication has touched countless people in our community. Our hearts are heavy, and the loss is deeply felt.

Please know you are not alone. We stand with DPS and the entire first responder family during this incredibly difficult time.

PROFOUNDLY SAD NEWS

Late last night (2/4), the Western Air Rescue DPS Helicopter from Kingman, known as Ranger 56, was supporting an active shooter situation in Flagstaff when it had crashed. Both crew members on board did not survive. This is an incredibly profound loss to our Community. Our hearts are with their family, friends and the entire DPS and Search and Rescue teams that worked alongside them.

01/31/2026

K-9 Lucy and her handler spent the day training at the Glendale Regional Training Center, working a variety of real-world accelerant detection scenarios. The team is certified in both Trailing and Accelerant Detection and routinely supports local fire investigation efforts. They regularly travel throughout the state to participate in advanced training events for both disciplines, ensuring continued proficiency and operational readiness.

12/24/2025

Really cool visitor to Jerome. Rarely spotted Coatimundi. Town Crew Brandon San Felice credited for the pictures.

11/21/2025

We would like to welcome Officer Carlos Godina and Auxiliary Officer Anthony Weber to the Jerome Police Department. Both gentlemen were sworn in with their Oath of Office on October 20, 2025 at Jerome Town Hall in the presence of Jerome Town Manager Brett Klein and their family and friends.

Carlos has 17 years of experience in law enforcement. He started his career as a dispatcher with the Cottonwood Police Department. Upon graduation from the police academy, he worked as a part-time officer for the Town of Jerome Police Department, as well as a full-time deputy with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a Law Enforcement Education Deputy and trainer for the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy (NARTA). He then spent several years with the Clarkdale Police Department serving in patrol duties, as a detective, and as a trainer. For the last two years Carlos has worked with the Veterans’ Affairs Police in Prescott but has decided to return to local law enforcement. We are glad that Carlos has chosen to return to the Town of Jerome.

Anthony is a retired attorney and Judge Pro Tem from California with several years of administrative experience at the Los Angeles Police Department. After retiring and moving to Arizona, he joined the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office as a Volunteer in Patrol (VIP), serving there for 10 years. He has experience training volunteer officers for the Sheriff’s Office, and we are pleased he will share that expertise with Jerome. Anthony has played a key role in the development of the Auxiliary Officer program for Jerome Police Department.

11/14/2025

Jerome Police Department’s Second-in-Command, Deputy Chief Michael W. Odle, was sworn in on April 21, 2025 by Chief Russell San Felice. His lovely wife, Donna, a retired Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer, and his twin brother, Mark, a retired captain with the California Highway Patrol, with many friends, were in attendance. Deputy Chief Odle honorably retired from the LAPD in 2022 and moved to Prescott, where he and his wife live.

During his 43-year career with the LAPD, he worked in patrol, was a field training officer, undertook numerous specialized assignments, and spent 28 years with the elite SWAT team. After leaving SWAT, he was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, and retired as captain. He received the LAPD's highest honor when he was awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions during a hostage rescue mission. Additionally, he was awarded the Police Medal for actions under fire and the Police Star with two bronze clusters for numerous hostage rescue missions.

Deputy Chief Odle earned his graduate degree in Executive Master of Leadership from the University of Southern California (USC). Before joining the LAPD, he served with the United States Army, 25th Military Police Company, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Deputy Chief Odle has five adult children and three grandchildren who bring him much pride.

Captain Odle is honored and excited to be selected as the Deputy Chief, and he looks forward to interacting with the town community members. His mission statement is to “Live life with purpose, passion, and packed parachutes.”

The Jerome Police Department is honored and proud to have Deputy Chief Odle, alongside Chief San Felice, leading our department.