HOLLADAY — In an emotional farewell announcement during a Thursday City Council meeting, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Capt. Steve DeBry said he would be leaving the city by June 15.

DeBry struggled to hold back tears as he thanked the city and told council members and the mayor he hadn't asked for the transfer. Further, he said he didn't know what prompted the change and said he hadn't talked to Sheriff Jim Winder about it. Rather, he was informed by a call from a bureau chief, he said.

"I love you all, and we'll just go from there," he said.

DeBry first learned of the transfer Thursday morning, he said. The council didn't learn of it until Thursday's announcement, said council member James Palmer.

"I don't believe (City Manager Randy Fitts) was unhappy," DeBry said, citing a meeting between the two Wednesday. "If he was, I was not aware of it ... This is an enigma to me."

The captain has served in the city since it incorporated in 1999. He started as a sergeant and moved up the ranks through three administrations, he said.

Council members expressed disappointment following the announcement. The situation was compared to a transfer situation in Cottonwood Heights that ended with the city's canceling sheriff's services to create its own department.

Council members also said DeBry would be impossible to replace, speculating that the sheriff's office would likely bring in a captain from outside the city. Mayor Dennis Webb told the council there had been no discussion with the sheriff about that issue.

During a break, Fitts said the change had to do with changes in the sheriff's department.

Later that night, the council met in closed session to discuss personnel issues.

Friday morning, Fitts sent out a press release, saying he had prompted the change. Fitts refused to provide other details but said the decision had nothing to do with DeBry's running for Salt Lake County Council.

Holladay council member Lynn Pace also refused to comment, saying he wanted the council to speak with a unified voice.

Webb failed to return several calls Friday.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that DeBry will be moved but said the change is only part of the "normal course of promotions and transfers." The timing is just a coincidence, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak.

Thursday, Sheriff's Capt. Robert Sampson retired. Due to that, several people moved up the department ladder. Chris Bertram was promoted to the rank of captain, and Bill Robertson, who works in the Holladay precinct, was promoted to lieutenant, Jaroscak said.

The sheriff's office said Friday it was unknown what DeBry's next assignment will be.

"It's all kind of up in the air right now," DeBry agreed. "I guess it was the means to an end."

DeBry also said he harbors no ill feelings toward anyone in the city.

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E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com; preavy@desnews.com