Choosing a different path

The Eddy County Sheriff's Department has welcomed a new deputy to their office.

Tristin Peltier's first day on the job as an Eddy County Sheriff's Deputy was on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 – a fitting start to a new and important chapter for him and his family.

Originally from St. John, N.D., Peltier graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Academy in Bismarck on Dec. 20, and previously worked for over two years as a corrections officer at the Rolette County Jail.

But Peltier said much of his prior law enforcement experience comes from the other side of the law, and it's what inspired him to pursue police work in the first place.

"Growing up, all my life my family seemed to have poor decisions included. So I just wanted to make a difference in my family and show that I can be better," said Peltier.

"And I just want to help other people that need to be helped as well, because I grew up around helpless people and I'm just tired of seeing it."

Peltier's transition into law enforcement comes after a string of various jobs following his high school graduation in 2019, such as telemarketing and nursing home work. But eventually he settled on wanting to make a difference in law enforcement.

First he made the jump to corrections and dispatch at the Rolette County Jail and Law Enforcement Center, where he worked for about two and a half years gaining valuable experience.

"At first it was pretty good," said Peltier about the experience. "... New people come in and some will be good for you, some will be rowdy, but I guess just working there a couple years was pretty fun. ... Corrections is a good spot to get started at.".

But now, Peltier's focus is on the community of Eddy County and continuing his law enforcement journey with the Eddy County Sheriff's Office.

He moved to New Rockford in August in large part for this job opportunity, and has already completed a number of ride-alongs in the county as a field training officer (FTO) with his fellow deputies.

"I'm excited to learn more about everyone around here," said Peltier. "I can tell it's a different environment, but I just want to become a better deputy from where I first started.

"I mean these guys were very helpful on the [FTO] experience as it was, and I learned quite a bit even before the academy thanks to them," he said about his new coworkers. "And for now I guess I'll just take it day-by-day and see what happens."

Peltier said he's already had a great experience living in New Rockford, and when asked why he chose the community of Eddy County he said, "I just didn't want to be around an area as a cop where I already know everybody. I'd much rather get to know new people.

"By far, ever since I moved here everyone has been so nice to me," he added. "It's way better than what I experienced back home, everyone's way more nice here."