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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/17405
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Deputy is not capitalized when referred to as a position.

- “The sheriff had many deputies.”
- “A deputy, a sheriff, and a judge walked into a bar...”

John is capitalized because it is a name.

- “The criminal shot John.”
- “Thank you, John.”

Deputy John is capitalized because it is a title.

- “The criminal shot Deputy John.”
- “Thank you, Deputy John.”

**Question:** Is deputy capitalized when it is being used as a title and the subject (the noun) is dropped.

Examples:

- “The criminal shot the deputy.” **OR** “The criminal shot the Deputy.”
- “Thank you, deputy.” **OR** “Thank you, Deputy.”

What about:

- “Put your hands in the air!" The _d_eputy shouted. **OR**"Put your hands in the air!" The _D_eputy shouted.

**Edit**

I am not a writer but I wrote a fantasy novel as a way to relax. I am currently editing right now and I have learned a lot about grammar but I still have many questions. Sometimes I can find the answers via web searches on English/grammar sites, but this is one question for which I was unable to find an answer.

Most of the use cases would be along the lines of conversation where a persons title is used instead of their name.

Here are some excerpts for references:

- “I would be most grateful for your assistance on the matter, [C/c]onstable.”
- The [C/c]onstable nodded and sat down.

Thanks.

Original score: 0