Meet the Man Behind the Badge: A Spotlight on Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman
- xtnagold
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Sheriff Redman, born and raised in Southern California, began his distinguished career in public service in 1988 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. After serving four years, including two years stationed in Germany with the U.S. Forces Police in Kaiserslautern, he was honorably discharged.
In 1996, Sheriff Redman joined the Los Angeles Police Department, where he was assigned to both the South East Division and Central Traffic Division, performing all patrol duties.
In 1998, Sheriff Redman transitioned to the Amador County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. Throughout his career, he held multiple collateral duties as a Patrol Deputy, including serving as a Field Training Officer, SWAT team member, and Marine Deputy. In 2001, he was promoted to Sergeant, where he supervised patrol personnel, managed the K9 Program, and led the Community Assistance Program (CAP), advising members of the community on Sheriff’s Office operations and community safety issues.
In 2008, Sheriff Redman was assigned as the Administrative Sergeant, overseeing training for the Sheriff’s Office and the Civil Bureau and liaising with community groups such as Operation Care, the Domestic Violence Council, the Child Abuse Council, the Isolated Seniors Program, and others. Additionally, Sheriff Redman was assigned as Team Leader for the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, ensuring rigorous training and certification for team members while handling high-risk operations, dignitary protection, and tactical planning. Under his leadership, he fostered valuable relationships with SWAT team leaders throughout the state including agencies such as the California Department of Justice, FBI, ATF, and DEA. Sheriff Redman also founded and led Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard Program for several years.
In 2010, Sheriff Redman’s leadership earned him a promotion to Lieutenant, overseeing the daily operations of the patrol staff, including supervising shift assignments, conducting Internal Affairs investigations, and oversaw critical events. Two years later, in 2012, he was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Corrections Division and Court Security Bureau, where he was responsible for the jail’s operations and court security: inmate population, inmate welfare program, and jail and court security budgeting
As Operations Captain in 2014, Sheriff Redman supervised the Patrol, Investigations, and Communications Bureaus, overseeing high-profile investigations, disciplinary investigations, and the budgets of all bureaus under his command. During this time, he was appointed Interim Chief of Police for the City of Sutter Creek, where, over the next six months, he conducted and provided the city with an in-depth assessment of the Police Department’s needs. In 2018, Sheriff Redman was selected as the Undersheriff, second in command, under Sheriff Martin Ryan (Retired), overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office and managing a $19.5 million budget across eight departments. As Undersheriff, he played a pivotal role in fostering relationships with local, state, and county law enforcement agencies and managed the Amador County Combined Narcotics Task Forces.
Upon Sheriff Ryan’s retirement in April 2021, Sheriff Redman was appointed as the 26th Sheriff of Amador County by the Board of Supervisors.
Sheriff Redman holds various certifications from the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, including the basic, intermediate, advanced, supervisory, and management levels. He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy, class #224.
Sheriff Redman married his wife in 1990 while they were both stationed in Germany with the Air Force. Together, they have two adult daughters.
Throughout his career, Sheriff Redman has consistently demonstrated proactive leadership by developing innovative programs to meet the evolving needs of both the community and his staff. Some of these impactful initiatives include:
• Led as OES Director/Sheriff during multiple critical incidents, including the Electra Fire, severe snowstorms, and widespread flooding, coordinating multi-agency response efforts and ensuring community safety and resilience.
• Developed and launched the Homeless Amador React Team (HART) to proactively address homelessness through a dual approach of outreach and enforcement. Successfully placed over two dozen individuals into services, reducing chronic homelessness and targeting ongoing criminal behavior among non-compliant individuals.
• Initiated a county-wide employee wellness and fitness program, constructing an on-site gym and implementing a policy allowing one hour of on-duty workout time to promote health and morale.
• Strengthened mental health support systems by integrating peer response teams and trained professionals to conduct critical incident debriefs for staff.
• Secured a 5% salary increase for all staff in collaboration with the Board of Supervisors, enhancing both employee retention and recruitment.
• Manage eight operational budgets, overseeing a total of $24 million in annual funding with strategic oversight and fiscal responsibility.
• Hired two program managers who have successfully secured millions in grant funding, delivering significant resources at no cost to the county.
• Increased departmental revenue by $700,000 through expansion of service-based contracts and fee-for-service programs.
• Modernized the CCW permitting process by implementing streamlined software, significantly increasing application volume and improving public access.
• Established Gold Country Kids, a collaborative initiative with El Dorado County Sheriff Liekauf, Lava Dog Gun Vault, and Gun Owners of California to support and protect youth shooting sports throughout Amador and El Dorado Counties.
• Board Member, Victory Village – Actively support strategic leadership and oversight for an organization dedicated to providing housing, resources, and comprehensive services to veterans and their families
• Committee Member, Top Cop – Play a key role in securing and allocating funding to high impact non-profits that serve veterans and first responders, ensuring vital support reaches those who protect and serve
Most recently, Sheriff Redman made headlines as the only sheriff in California to take a firm stand against the state’s sanctuary law, SB 54. This law limits local law enforcement’s ability to communicate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing contact only when an undocumented immigrant has been convicted of specific crimes and is set for release.
February 18, 2025, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office published a Media Release which outlines Sheriff Redman’s position and stance regarding this matter. With a goal and passion of protecting his community, a responsibility to enforce public safety, and Federal law which compels him to cooperate with ICE, Sheriff Redman presses on with conviction. “I could never live with myself if something tragic happened and I had the ability to stop it,” Sheriff Redman stated. This is common sense law enforcement in action—making Amador County the safest county in California.
A steadfast and principled leader, Sheriff Redman’s unwavering devotion to his community and country embodies his relentless commitment to public safety and service. Proud to Serve Ready to Protect.
A true hero.
GOD HATES A COWARD
Comments