Sharon Diffee: Sheriff's Dept. is her 'second family'

Sharon Diffee, a volunteer at the Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation, is adored and often described as an exceptional lady. Her dedication and commitment was recently recognized when she was honored at the 8th Annual Sheriff’s Appreciation Day hosted by the Bonsall Chamber of Commerce.

“I was so surprised when I got this award,” said Diffee. All she knew was that Manny Ortega, commander of the Senior Volunteer Patrol, asked her to be at the ceremony and dressed in uniform. “I had no idea what was going on,” she said, smiling. When Diffee went home after the ceremony, it finally hit her. “This award was so special. It really touched my heart.”

Six years ago, Diffee became a volunteer for the Sheriff’s Department. Her husband, Jerry, was serving in a Senior Patrol capacity prior to her joining the Sheriff’s Department family.

On Thursdays, Diffee lights up the station with her welcoming smile, warm heart, and delicious desserts! “I love to cook and bake,” she explained. She enjoys spoiling everyone at the station with her decadent desserts, such as cheesecakes and homemade cakes with fresh whipped cream toppings. Her “outrageous brownies” are gobbled up at the station in the blink of an eye.

“I think my desserts also bring out the little boy and little girl in all of them.”

One of the things that Diffee really loves about the station is being given the opportunity to know the deputies, detectives, sergeants, sheriffs and other support staff. “I have learned to love each and every one of them; they are just like one of my own kids.”

When volunteering at the station, Diffee is a pro at the front counter when greeting and helping people, and answering a flurry of phone calls. “There are such great people that work at the desk,” shared Diffee. At times, the front counter can get quite busy, said Diffee. But the support system is great. “The girls always come up when I need them,” she said. “They are just super.”

Out of all the organizations Diffee has the opportunity to volunteer at, she finds herself one-hundred-percent dedicated to the Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation. “What keeps me here is the admiration I have for all these people.” Everyone is “overworked and underpaid,” she said.

Diffee enjoys her work, because it’s a way of letting the department know how much she appreciates everyone and all the hard work they endure day after day. “They put themselves in harm’s way all the time,” she said, lacing her fingers together. As far as Diffee is concerned, she works with a wonderful group of people. They are like her second family, she said.

When Diffee works at the station every Thursday, the love that she gets back from people at the station is immeasurable. “People just don’t realize that when they are giving of themselves through volunteer work, they get so much appreciation from everybody around them.” According to Diffee, being involved in the community is important, because it gives people the opportunity to see what’s going on and to be aware of what’s happening around them. “And it’s just great to put yourself out there to help people when they need it.”

Since volunteering, Diffee has learned and continues to discover how very special everyone is at the sheriff’s department. “I’ve also learned to be more patient, and to try and help people in any way that I can.”