Roseville resident Devon Bell still remembers the day he met Rick Meredith, the deputy sheriff who would later shape the course of his life. He was just 10 years old, and Meredith was the father of one of his childhood friends. “He told me to consider a career in law enforcement,” Bell fondly recalls. “He was a real role model to me.”

Although Bell didn’t take the most direct route to becoming a sheriff’s deputy—he started out as a surveyor for a civil engineering firm—he soon found himself recalling Meredith’s words. As the child of a hardworking single mom, Bell was raised with the belief that strong family values are essential to creating a healthy community. He wanted the chance to make more of a positive impact, so before he knew it, he was giving Meredith a call to ask about the possibility of joining the sheriff’s office.

These days, Bell is a happily married father of four, not to mention the sheriff of Placer County. In addition, he’s an avid supporter of KidsFirst, the Placer County Child Abuse Prevention Council, which is hosting a big awards luncheon on April 6 (for more information, visit kidsfirstnow.org). And although Bell lost both his mother and mentor to cancer over the years, he’ll never forget the values they instilled in him. “Every child deserves to have a home that’s nurturing, caring, and safe,” he enthuses. “If we can turn things around for our most vulnerable citizens, we’ll have less impact on the criminal justice system down the road.”

Q&A

What advice would you give to your younger self?
As a young man, I always seemed to be rushing. I’d tell myself to slow down and enjoy my career and especially my family.

What comes to you naturally?
I enjoy people and have no problem striking up conversations with just about anyone.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Tardiness. Folks who are late send a message that their time is more important than anyone else’s.

What are you most proud of? My family. I have a beautiful wife of nearly 30 years, four children, and two grandchildren. They’re the lights in my life.

Best words of wisdom you’ve received?
Disappointments in life are inevitable; discouragement is a choice.

Favorites

Escape
Lake Tahoe

Guilty pleasure
Milkshakes from Taylor’s in Loomis

Local landmark
Placer County’s Historic Courthouse

Movie
Rio Bravo

Musician/band
Brad Paisley

Local nonprofit
Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy

Saying
“The greatest distance between two points is between I should and I did.”

 

By Amber Foster