Woodland Police Department welcomes two new officers with swearing-in ceremony
Earlier this week, the Woodland Police Department welcomed two new employees to the community with a swearing-in ceremony for new officers Wayne Terry and Behrad Sarabostani. The Tuesday evening ceremony inside the City Hall Council Chambers at 300 Fi…
Earlier this week, the Woodland Police Department welcomed two new employees to the community with a swearing-in ceremony for new officers Wayne Terry and Behrad Sarabostani.
The Tuesday evening ceremony inside the City Hall Council Chambers at 300 First St. saw dozens of family, friends and WPD staff members supporting the new hires. Woodland City Clerk Ana Gonzalez, who administered the oath of office, City Manager Ken Hiatt, Mayor Tania Garcia-Cadena and Councilmember Tom Stallard were in attendance.
"Woodland is a phenomenal place to work if you are in law enforcement," Woodland Police Department Chief Derrek Kaff said. "We have the trust and appreciation of the community. I'm excited for both of them to join the ranks."
Following the oath, Terry and Sarabostani's respective partners came up to ceremonially pin their newly acquired badges.
"The badge is such a symbol that anywhere you see one, you understand what that means," Kaff said. "That person is trusted in the community to uphold and protect those who can't protect themselves. That's why it is very fitting to have someone very important in our lives pin the badges."
Officer Terry was born in San Francisco and raised in the Bay Area. He enjoyed many sports growing up, including riding dirt bikes, swimming for a local swim team and playing varsity football in his senior year at Clayton Valley High School.
Terry worked in restaurants and bars as a bartender for nearly 20 years, gaining experience in every style of bar, from dive bars to fine dining, where he met people from all walks of life, learning to build rapport and listen well.
In 2014, Terry found a passion for Krav Maga, regularly attending Krav Maga San Francisco. In 2016, he became a certified instructor through Krav Maga Worldwide and enjoyed teaching classes and seminars to students of all levels. He achieved an Expert 1 level instructor certification and a brown belt as a student.
As an instructor, Officer Terry worked with officers from the San Francisco Police Department and had the opportunity to go on a ride-along. This experience was the catalyst for Officer Terry's decision to pursue a career in law enforcement.
In 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions closed both his bartending and instructor jobs, Terry took the opportunity to return to school to pursue a law enforcement career. He attended classes at Sacramento Community College and American River College and successfully completed the Sacramento Police Department's Academy, graduating in December 2023.
Terry is supported by his family and his girlfriend of six years, Paula. They relocated to the Sacramento area in 2020 to purchase a home. In his spare time, Officer Terry enjoys spending time with Paula and their two dogs, working on numerous DIY projects and target shooting.
Officer Terry is excited to start his career with the Woodland Police Department. He is committed to learning quickly and exploring the department's many service options.
Sarabostani was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, where he lived until he was 17. Due to his family's conversion to Christianity, they faced persecution from the Iranian government, compelling them to flee their homeland.
Seeking safety and freedom, they relocated to Turkey under the protection of the United Nations. After three years in Turkey, the family was granted asylum by the United States, providing them with a new home in 2011.
Motivated by a deep sense of gratitude toward his new country, Sarabostani enlisted in the U.S. Army. His four years of service were a testament to his dedication to giving back to the nation that had offered him and his family a second chance at life.
After his military term, Sarabostani sought a more direct way to serve his community and uphold the freedoms he now cherishes. This led him to pursue a career in law enforcement, aiming to preserve these liberties for future generations and to be a positive role model for his soon-to-be-born son.
Sarabostani's journey from a young boy in Tehran to a dedicated officer in the United States is a story of resilience, courage and thankfulness. Beyond his professional life, he enjoys hiking and engaging in various outdoor activities, embracing the very freedoms and natural beauty he vows to protect.
As he prepares to welcome his new role as a father, Sarabostani is committed to being an exemplary figure for his son, demonstrating the values of service, respect and gratitude towards their adopted country.
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