In addition to their regular duties at the Butler County Sheriff’s office, four deputies are members of the sheriff’s color guard, which was formed this year.

The guard is made up of Eric McCall of Center Township, who stands on the right side of the guard; Brett Hancher of Zelienople, who carries the U.S. flag; Matt Setnar of Butler Township, who carries the state flag; and Brandon Huffman of Butler Township, who stands on the left side of the guard.

All four members volunteered, said Sheriff Mike Slupe.

Color guards present and protect the U.S. flag and other flags during ceremonies and public events.

The idea to form the guard happened last year.

At that time, Slupe spoke with an Allegheny County Sheriff’s deputy named Jason Tarap. Slupe said Tarap told him the department would host a color guard competition in July in Pittsburgh, and wondered if Slupe could form a color guard to compete.

Slupe then spoke with District Attorney Rich Goldinger. The sheriff’s office assisted in a drug bust last year which resulted in some seized money. Goldinger said, during cases like that, seized money goes into a fund that is used for training and buying equipment. Money from that fund was used to buy uniforms and equipment for the color guard.

“I was glad to be able to assist them,” Goldinger said.

The guard officially was formed in January. No county general fund money was used.

Each member was outfitted with a dress uniform, and two members were outfitted with rifles. The two flags came from state Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th. Slupe said it cost roughly $1,000 to outfit each member’s uniform and equipment.

At the competition in Pittsburgh, five teams competed. The Butler team came in second. Slupe said he spoke to one of the competitions’ judges, who told him choosing the winner was difficult.

“We actually had to split hairs to make the decision between first and second place,” the judge said, according to Slupe.

The sheriff said he considered the color guard’s finish a great honor, particularly since the unit only was formed a few months earlier.

“I couldn’t have been more proud of these guys,” Slupe said.

McCall said coming in second place at the competition was great.

“We were proud to be there,” McCall said.

Slupe said the guard has performed at events such as the county Voter Hall of Fame ceremony last month, and said it eventually will do the opening ceremony of a county commissioner’s meeting.

He said the guard will appear at the swearing in of county officials in January, and hopes to do other events.

“We look forward to participating in a parade,” Slupe said.

Setnar, who served in the Marine Corps for five years, is the unofficial leader of the guard. He said most of the moves the group practices come from what he remembers from boot camp.

He said the guard has not gone to any training camps, and most of its skills have been honed during practices.

“We try to get an hour in here and there,” Setnar said.

Slupe praised Setnar’s work in training the guard.

“I think Matt’s done an exemplary job,” Slupe said.

Huffman said it feels good to represent the sheriff’s office and to present the flags of the U.S. and state.

Setnar agreed.

“I think it’s an honor, personally,” Setnar said.