RIPON — Mario Ysit, 42, became a reserve police officer in Ripon during a badging ceremony Wednesday afternoon where his wife Kami – a Tracy Police sergeant – pinned her husband’s badge on his uniform shirt.

The new officer has completed his academy training and will be assigned to a field training officer beginning Friday night, according to police chief Ed Ormonde.

Ysit has an unusual background being cross trained in fire, medics and police work.  His regular day job has him serving as the supervisor for the Stockton area of American Medical Response ambulance service.

Ormonde noted that his newly assigned officer is one of three within the department including Sharon Johnson and former Chief Richard Bull.  He mentioned the man’s devotion to his kids in his off hours and his serving as a sports coach for the Ripon Chiefs.

Officer Ysit’s past history includes serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Ripon Consolidated Fire Department.

At the conclusion of the ceremony where Chief Ormonde welcomed him to the department’s “close family” group, Ysit walked out into the small audience and shook hands with the half dozen offers who had come to watch the badging event.