New chief deputy suited for role as second in command –

by Judith Hruz

Editor

It was a rather inconspicuous announcement on Facebook.

“Sheriff Darren Mark Popkin is pleased to announce the promotion of Maxwell Uy to the rank of chief deputy.”

In Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office news, being named chief deputy is big news.

And yet the announcement reflects Capt. Maxwell C. Uy: a tall, dedicated, extraordinarily experienced public safety official whose unassuming demeanor – a self-professed “homebody” — belies all he has accomplished.

In layperson’s terms, the chief deputy is the second in command to the sheriff.

He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the sheriff’s office.

Uy has worked his way into the position since he was a child.

“I thought about being in law enforcement and the military,” he said.

He was a member of the Police Explorers in high school and at 17 enlisted in the U.S. Army.

From there, his accomplishments and experiences read like movie credits:

United States Army 3^rd U.S. Infantry Old Guard;

Marching in Presidential inaugurations and other Presidential details;

Montgomery County Police Department Unit Citation for Firearms Task Force;

Training in Crisis Intervention Team, Taser certification and Department of Homeland Security Chemical, Ordnance, biological and Radiological Training; and

Anti-terrorism Advisory Council representative, Montgomery County Opioid Intervention Team member, Crisis Negotiator Team member and team leader, Honor Guard team member and commander and Field Training officer.

The list goes on and on.

He has worked for the Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Section, Criminal Section, Academy Training Section and the Court Services Division.

Uy has served the community through the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the so-called Beltway sniper shootings a year later, not to mention all of the other crime on a daily basis.

And again, the list goes on.

“Chief Deputy Uy has proven his leadership qualities at every level and job function throughout his career, which made for an easy decision for me to promote him to second in command of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office,” Popkin said.

Uy, who was named chief deputy last May, has already put ideas into practice.

“Upon assuming the chief deputy position, Max had some visions and goals heading into the job that he has turned into results, even during this difficult, challenging, pandemic year,” the sheriff said.

Uy is married to Destiny Dry, a teacher at St. John’s Episcopal School in Olney. He has two adult children.

He said as simple as it sounds, he has always wanted to help others and be a good role model.

Popkin says that is a mission accomplished.

“Now that Max has assumed the chief deputy position for almost a year, his superb leadership has garnered respect within the Sheriff’s Office, with our government partners, community members and especially me.”