Sheriff's Departments from all over the country compete for the funding…which makes the award that much sweeter for Sacramento County Supervisor Susan Peters.

"Absolute joy, over the moon, very excited."

The grant is part of the Justice Department's COPS program…which stands for Community Oriented Police Services.

Last year, the county didn't win any COPS money and about 100 deputies had to be laid off because of budget cuts. Peters says this year, local leaders made sure the Justice Department knew how vast an area the Sheriff's Department oversees.

"In many counties the sheriff handles the jail and its rural areas and we have a different model here which I don't think was understood last year but clearly was understood this year."

Peters says the $21 million grant will allow the Sheriff's Department to rehire about 50 deputies.