
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department "A TRADITION OF SERVICE" News Release August 9th, 2025 |
- ASSISTANT SHERIFF TYRONE BALAKAY CONCLUDES FIVE YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
- Blaine County: On the 8th of August, Assistant Sheriff Tyrone Balakay submitted their official resignation from their position within the Office of the Sheriff. This marks an incredible 5 years of active service within the Los Santos Sheriff's Department.
Assistant Sheriff Balakay graduated from the academy in January 2020. Throughout the months, they continues to rise within the ranks, before joining the Supervisor Training Program in July 2020. In March 2022 they entered the role as Commander of Patrol Operations, before being appointed Assistant Sheriff of Office of the Sheriff in December 2023.
Asst. Sheriff Tyrone Balakay
During their tenure within the Office of the Sheriff, they overlooked the day-to-day operations and development of the Internal Affairs Division, Legal Affairs and the Sheriff's Information Division. Balakay has proven to be a stable and trustful member of the department, and his absence will certainty be felt for a long time.
SHERIFF BOBBY KIRK
UNDERSHERIFF JOHN WALLACEAfter five years of dedicated service to the Los Santos Sheriff's Department, my friend and colleague Assistant Sheriff Tyrone Balakay has decided to resign. Watching his journey from a trainee to the position he holds today has been nothing short of inspiring. His contributions have been immense, and his departure will leave a large gap in the department.
Tyrone is one of the kindest, most respectful, and most professional people I have had the privilege to work with. Alongside his career growth, he has made great strides in his personal development, always striving to improve himself and those around him.
I hope Tyrone finds peace and fulfillment in whatever he chooses to pursue next. He will always have a place in the Sheriff's Department should his passion for law enforcement bring him back, and I wish him nothing but the best in all that lies ahead.
This marks the second Assistant Sheriff to leave in a short time, with Assistant Sheriff McCornish having resigned just last month. While it is certainly sad to see such experienced leadership depart, it is also exciting to look ahead and see new employees rise to the challenge. The future will always look different, and with change comes opportunity for growth.
CAPTAIN AMELIA CLARKAs time goes on, I find myself writing messages like this more often, and I suppose that's just the way it goes. Still, this one hits a little harder.
Balakay has been an incredible asset to this department. Always the first to step up, always willing to help anyone with anything, and never once asking for recognition in return. He embodies what it means to serve selflessly. I honestly can't count how many times he’s taken on tasks others couldn’t finish or carried projects across the finish line when no one else could. You could always count on Balakay to get the job done.
We’ve spent many late nights working side by side, and I can say without hesitation that Balakay is a rare breed. His dedication, his work ethic, and his quiet leadership have left a mark on this department. His fingerprints will be seen in the systems, policies, and procedures long after he's gone. Future deputies will rise through the ranks relying on the foundation he built, never realizing just how much they owe to him.
On a personal note, I’ll miss our conversations, both the meaningful ones and the ones about absolutely nothing. I trusted him completely, and I always knew he’d be there when it mattered. That kind of presence is impossible to replace. You can fill a position, reassign tasks, or appoint a new leader, but you can't replicate what Balakay brought to this place.
I’m happy for him, truly. He’s earned his retirement more than most. But damnit if there isn’t a small part of me that resents the fact that he won’t be walking through those doors anymore.
Balakay, I wish you all the best in this next chapter. May your retirement be filled with tropical beaches, cheap cocktails, and easy companionship, and may you always feel just a little bit guilty about leaving us behind.The moment Tyrone Balakay stepped into the Office of the Sheriff, he has been one of my biggest supporters throughout my career within the Sheriff's Department. All of my ideas, discussions and disagreements has been met with an open mind, space for self expression and guidance.
Reading the statements provided from both Sheriff Kirk and Undersheriff Wallace, I am truly behind their words, both for their character description, but also for the efforts, dedication and hard work Balakay has conducted during his 5 year tenure.
I wish Tyrone all the best for his retirement, and thank him for all the support I have received.###For Information, Contact:

Captain Amelia Clark
Interim Bureau Commander, Office of the Sheriff
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department
Sheriff's Information Division
Los Santos County Sheriff's Department
Procopio Promenade 1, Paleto Bay
Los Santos, SA, 909
