By John Dobberstein, Editor
After spending more than three decades on the force and rising through the ranks to the city’s top cop, Broken Arrow Police Chief Brandon Berryhill said Friday he will retire this year.
Berryhill has been with the department 30 of his 32 years in law enforcement. He plans to stay on board through Oct. 31, while a nationwide search is planned to find his replacement.
Berryhill joined the department in 1994 after serving 2 years as a campus police officer for the University of Central Oklahoma and served as the ninth chief of police for BAPD. He served as a major at BAPD for 7 years, deputy chief of police for 6 years and chief for 7 years.
“I moved to Broken Arrow as a newlywed 30 years ago. We were immediately welcomed by the city that we’ve called home,” Berryhill said in a statement. “I am blessed to have raised my family here. I am certain growing up in Broken Arrow was a huge factor in my children’s lives. I am grateful for the support from my wife throughout this journey and attribute much of my success to her support.
“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Broken Arrow. As scripture states in Matthew 23:11, ‘The greatest among you shall be your servant.'”
The department has generally enjoyed widespread community support during Berryhill’s tenure as chief. A recent community survey conducted by city officials indicated that 83% of residents feel Broken Arrow is a safe place to work, live and raise a family.
Berryhill has instituted a number of community policing efforts between the department and the city going back many years. He instructed and later supported the Citizens Police Academy and Junior Police Academy, and initiated the creation of the Citizens Police Academy in Spanish that was recognized recently by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The department also credited Berryhill for securing funding to create the department’s first Real Time Crime Information Center and prioritizing public-private partnerships, “to transform law enforcement for decades to come.” Berryhill and community leaders announced Thursday the creation of the Broken Arrow Police Foundation, a not-for-profit that will assist in securing additional funds to make the RTCIC a reality. The most recent and notable outreach program includes the Mounted Patrol Unit.
Berryhill graduated from Edmond Memorial High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master’s Degree in criminal justice from Northeastern State University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 219th Session in 2004 and of the Senior Management Institute for Police in 2008.
He was appointed to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) by Gov. Stitt in 2019 and later voted in as chairman in 2021. He currently serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Victim Services Committee. Chief Berryhill serves on the Regional Advisory Council for the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. He currently serves on several boards including the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for Oral Roberts University. He is a member of two local civic organizations, the Broken Arrow Rotary and Masonic Lodge.
The Berryhill’s have two children and two grandsons: Sierra is an assistant district attorney for Tulsa County; her husband Gabe, who is a firefighter for the city of Owasso. Their son, Tad, is a Tulsa Police Academy Recruit. Chief Berryhill and his wife of 30 years, Sharus, are looking forward to the next chapter of their life.
City officials voiced their support Friday for Berryhill.
“Local policing is more than just law enforcement. It’s preventing crimes before they happen,” said Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee. “Chief Brandon Berryhill has taken crime prevention to new heights with his focus on outreach and education to foster strong and steadfast relationships with Broken Arrow citizens.
“His dedication to bringing awareness of issues, such as the fentanyl epidemic, domestic violence, human trafficking, and others, is a reflection of his commitment to building up Broken Arrow to be a safe community for everyone. It is because of the efforts of the police department under Berryhill’s leadership that Broken Arrow is one of the safest communities in the country.”
“I have always said that you cannot have a thriving community without first-class public safety services, and Brandon has worked tirelessly to ensure Broken Arrow is a prosperous and safe city to live, work and raise a family,” said Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon in a statement.
“Under his leadership, the Broken Arrow Police Department has grown not only in the number of uniformed officers patrolling our community but also in its acceptance and use of technology as a force multiplier to keep our citizens safe. While this is a bittersweet moment for me, I am happy to have served this wonderful community with Chief Berryhill and I wish my friend all the best in his retirement.”
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