When Deputy Tony Scherb celebrated his retirement after 29 years with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado, he did it with an unforgettable dance video. Wearing a bright orange shirt, the veteran deputy stepped into an elevator, pressed play on Silentó’s “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” and launched into a spirited routine. Released in January 2016, the video quickly found an enormous audience as Tony transformed an ordinary government elevator into his own private dance floor.
The clip unfolds like a perfectly timed workplace comedy. As the doors open, colleagues enter—some initially appearing startled before being swept up in the fun. Deputies Murphy and Reed enthusiastically join the choreography, while Chief Deputy Evans remains wonderfully deadpan. The biggest surprise arrives when then-Sheriff Bill Elder steps inside. Instead of stopping the party, he abandons his solemn expression and joins the dancing, creating a memorable display of camaraderie.
Although the footage resembles an unexpected moment captured by a security camera, the scene was carefully arranged. Tony later told The Gazette that his bosses had asked him to dance for the camera. The production reportedly required only two takes: he remained relatively restrained during the first, then exaggerated his movements and energy for the second. That comic commitment proved irresistible, helping the video attract more than 13 million YouTube views.
Part of the clip’s charm came from its contrast with Tony’s serious daily responsibilities. During nearly three decades of service, he worked in the traffic division, received recognition for DUI enforcement and later conducted employment screenings in the background unit. Dancing, however, was not entirely unfamiliar territory. Tony sometimes used routines to break the ice with new academy recruits, and he had already learned the popular choreography for a performance at his daughter’s wedding.
Tony soon took his infectious routine beyond the elevator. In March 2016, he joined fellow deputies and a local police officer at a charity Zumbathon in Colorado Springs. Together, they led more than 260 participants through the familiar steps and raised over $1,300 for the Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation’s Breast Care Center. The event demonstrated how one playful retirement video could bring an entire community together for a worthwhile cause.
Years later, the performance continues to circulate online, offering viewers a joyful glimpse behind the uniform. Sadly, Tony passed away in September 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. His unforgettable farewell has consequently gained a poignant second life—not merely as a viral workplace video, but as a warm and lasting tribute to a dedicated deputy whose humour and enthusiasm made millions of strangers smile.