Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Quenell.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HSCO) is proud to recognize Captain Bryan Quenell, who is retiring after 31 years of dedicated service to our community.

Born and raised in Humboldt, Quenell is a third-generation law enforcement officer. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father—who served with the Eureka Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Office—he joined the police academy in 1994. By day, he trained with the new recruits. By night, he worked as a records clerk in the courthouse, often answering phones and filing records until 2:00 in the morning.

Since graduating from the police academy in 1995, Quenell has served important roles in nearly every arm of the Sheriff’s Office. His roles have included Correctional Officer, Resident Deputy in Hoopa, Field Training Officer, and a Team Leader for both the Marijuana Enforcement and Special Services teams, the unit that handles boating, off-highway vehicles (OHV), and search and rescue. He later served as Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Commander of the Drug Task Force and SWAT teams. Known for stepping into any role that was needed, he led special projects like integrating the Sheriff’s Office with the Coroner and forming the Community Response Unit, a problem-oriented policing team with a tip line for anonymous citizen complaints.

After two decades of steadfast service, Quenell was promoted to Captain in 2018. In this role, he oversaw Patrol, Special Services, Major Crimes, the Coroner’s Office, Animal Control, Neighborhood Watch, and Emergency Communications Center—all simultaneously. Despite his many accomplishments, he remains humble about his time with HSCO and hopes his colleagues will remember him as “firm but fair.”

“I did what I could while I was here and did my best to make it better every step of the way, no matter what role I was in, whether I was a clerk or a correctional officer or a deputy. It was just about trying to make it better for the people who will come behind me. It’s nice to give back to the community that helped raise me,” said Quenell.

As for what’s next on the horizon, right now he has no formal plans. “My wife’s convinced that I won’t be able to sit still and that I’ll probably want to get back involved at some point. Maybe a couple of years down the road, we’ll see. You never know what the future holds.”

Sheriff William Honsal praised Quenell’s impact on the agency. “We were privileged to have him as part of the HCSO family for so many years. Though he never sought recognition or accolades, his impact on this office is undeniable. He leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication, and he will be deeply missed.”

If you’re inspired by Captain Quenell’s story of commitment and service, you too can join the HSCO family. Visit humboldtsheriff.org/join for current job opportunities.