In high school, Master Deputy Sheriff John Embrey took a Myers-Briggs test that matched him to the best career for his personality. The top careers identified were firefighter and law enforcement. He elected not to go into public safety and graduated from George Mason University, majoring in business with a concentration in marketing and spent decades working in branding, communications and marketing.
Embrey started his career working for an agency representing consumer retail businesses. He transitioned to a business-to-business firm that marketed products such as aircraft, to the government and airlines and components/systems to the defense and aerospace industries.
His next employer focused on government and not-for-profit clients. He served as an account supervisor developing marketing strategies for the Federal Government, transportation and education sectors.
In 2000, he was asked by a client to accept a Director of Marketing and Advertising position for the national office of Volunteers of America to oversee branding. He led a national research project to identify the public’s knowledge of the organization and development of national campaigns. In 2005 he became the Senior Executive of Marketing for a YMCA association to revise their marketing strategy and align their brand.
In April 2007, bankruptcies began which led to the U.S. economy’s worst decline since the Great Depression. In 2009, Embrey found himself in the job market with millions of other Americans. “My brother left CNN and joined the Sheriff’s Office several years earlier and recommended I check it out. I wasn’t excited about changing career fields, but after listening to him share what a great place the Sheriff’s Office was to work, I applied and was hired.”
Embrey graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy and began his new career on an ADC squad. A background in communication gave Embrey a comfort level speaking with inmates. “I would tell them that past mistakes should not dictate the rest of their life. Some actually listened and obtained their GEDs or secured jobs before release.”
He was periodically assigned to the ADC’s mental health units but never thought he was particularly good with people who have a mental illness. Nevertheless, after completing crisis intervention training in 2016 he was transferred to the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health (previously the Merrifield Crisis Response Center).
“People brought to the center didn’t choose to have mental health issues. Sometimes we see a breakthrough with people, moments of clarity, and we see who they are when they are not experiencing a psychotic episode. Our job at the SBCCH is to keep them safe and assist in getting treatment.”
“As with any job, you get out of it what you put into it. The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office has opportunities beyond the day-to-day work.” Embrey is on the FCSO Bike Team, Crisis Intervention Team, Crisis Negotiations Team and is a General Instructor. “I think the Fairfax Sheriff’s Office combines a high level of job security in a team environment with public service.”
Are you committed to serving the community? Then be the change you want to see and join our team as a Deputy Sheriff. $15,000 signing bonus available!