Seffner Deputy's Jail Job Doesn't Deter Her From the Golden Rule

For Deputy Royce Branch-Pierce, her 25 years of service with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is anything but surprising.

"My mother worked in juvenile detention and my uncle did 30 years with the Tampa Police Department," said Branch-Pierce, following the receipt of her award for longevity at the fourth-quarter Recognition Awards Ceremony at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Greater Brandon.

Following in her mother's and uncle's footsteps was a no-brainer for Branch-Pierce, a resident of the Greater Brandon community of Seffner.

"It was something I could do for my community and I've enjoyed it," she said. "It's been a joy."

She works at the Hillsborough County Jail, in the fist division, where she's convinced even more of the need for compassionate interaction with people from all walks of life.

"We're all God's people and everybody's going through something," she said. "We have trials in our lives. Sometimes we make good decisions. Sometimes we don't. And a bad decision can get you in jail. You say something wrong to the cashier at a store. You cut somebody off in a parking lot for a space. Anything can happen. Life is like this."

Branch-Pierce's position is that she tries not to judge.

"The courts have the power to decide if you do time or not," she said. "But I can be decent. I can be a good citizen doing my job, making sure that the care and custody of our inmates is decent and reasonable."

Today's economic distresses, she said, are non-discriminatory. "The economy is putting pressure on all of us. And like I said, we have to try to make good decisions."

As for the reward she received from Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee, that was a moment she'll never forget.

"I'm just as nervous today as I was 25 years ago when the (then) sheriff shook my hand and told me I'd do a good job," Branch-Pierce said.

She stressed, again, the humility of her job.

"We're all God's children," she repeated. "Let's treat each other decently, with respect. I can lock you up but what you're accused of should not determine how I talk to you."

As for the sheriff today, Branch-Pierce said Gee  loves his  community as much as she does.

"I think he loves Hillsborough County like I do," she said. "He cares about the community and it's my home, too.