Sheriff Sandra Hutchens presented commendations to 50 investigators, deputies and professional staff who took part in the operation last October that led to the arrest of a suspect in the February 2, 2009 murders of two employees of a mobile home sales office in Stanton.

The big break in the case came when an alert Anaheim police officer spotted the car which had been stolen from the homicide scene.  With that lead the Investigations Division pulled available resources to find the killer.  It was the weekend and most of the investigators were off-duty.

Sheriff Hutchens with Homicide Unit

Photo by Sheriff's Photographer Jerry Manson

"These men and women answered the call, no excuses that they were busy or had other obligations, they just responded immediately," Sheriff Hutchens said in presenting the award.

Commander Jay LeFlore later remarked at a Command Staff meeting that he felt privileged to be in the room during the presentation.

"Not only did these investigators repsond, but they brought their considerable skills, they came with something to offer," he said.

The opertion included personnel from homicide, North and South Narcotics, Proact, RNSP, Special Operations, Gangs, and Fugitive Warrants.

The commendation to homicide read as follows:

On February 2, 2009, two employees of the Golden Sun Mobile Home Sales in the city of Stanton were found shot to death in the rear office of the business.  Within minutes, members of the Homicide Detail responded to the scene and began conducting a thorough investigation of this horrific crime. Investigators determined that one of the victim’s 2004 Lexus GS300 was missing from the parking lot.  No other items appeared to be out of place or missing.

Over the next several weeks, investigators worked relentlessly on hundreds of leads, but none were able to shed light to the identity of the killer or even the motive in the crime. Undeterred, investigators continued to pour over the case and worked diligently with allied agencies and local task forces. As weeks turned into months and all leads had been exhausted, investigators obtained a $50, 000 Governors warrant and appealed to the local media to provide additional coverage on this unsolved homicide. Concerned the case was going cold, investigators continued to press forward by sending out flyers to law enforcement agencies throughout the region. 

On October 24th, their persistence paid off when an Anaheim Police Officer, having seen the bulletin in a briefing item, located the Lexus in a hotel parking lot. The car was clean and appeared to have been driven within the past few days.  Homicide Investigators responded to the area as did members of the Fugitive Warrant and Narcotics/Vice detail.  Over the next 5 days, members of several undercover details conducted a 24/7 surveillance operation on the vehicle.

Although no one returned to the car, investigators were un-phased and quickly implemented their next course of action.  After processing the vehicle, canvassing the neighborhood, and interviewing potential witnesses, investigators were able to identify a possible suspect in the homicide.  Within hours, investigators with the assistance of SWAT, were able to take the suspect into custody.

The successful apprehension of this suspect could not have been made had it not been for the unyielding efforts of the entire Homicide detail.  Despite exhausting hundreds of potential leads and encountering numerous dead ends, this team was steadfast in their commitment to bring the killer to justice. Of course effort alone in a case such as this is futile unless driven by a high level of expertise.  This team’s experience, teamwork, and ability to apply sound investigative methods to a high profile crime is exemplary.  Based upon their exceptional performance on this double murder investigation, each member of the Homicide Detail is commended for a job well done!
 

Presented to:Sgt. Yvonne Shull, Inv. Joseph Gaul, Inv. Daniel Salcedo, Inv. Michael Bell, Inv. Eric Hatch, Inv. Ken Hoffman, Inv. Stacy Lang, Inv. Martin Ramirez, Inv. Brian Sutton, Inv. Steven Swiderski, Inv. Michael Thompson, Inv. Donald Voght, Inv. Raymond Wert, Inv. Asst. Mary Alice Lopes, Inv. Asst. Casey Rominger 

To read the commendation for Narcotics click: Double Homicide-Narc's.pdf (8.87 kb)

To read the commendation for Warrants click: Double Homicide-Warrant.pdf (9.21 kb)

A message from Sheriff Sandra Hutchens to the Department:

To All Department Personnel:

I've observed, from my very first day as Sheriff-Coroner, a consistent and admirable trait of the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff's Department: Your willingness to take on additional responsibilities and assignments to move this department forward, regardless of the adversity we face.

Effective February 19th, an Assistant Sheriff and 23 Professional Staff will be laid off. The loss will be felt deeply but it will have the least impact on public safety of any of the options we had available. In addition, a Director and a Manager have found positions outside of the Department and will not be replaced; however, the cost savings will allow us to retain four investigators and several 911 Operators.

Over the last 19 months we have worked together through a number of transitions – the initial reorganization, in the fall of 2008, was designed to move department leadership into the right places.

Following that reorganization, economic conditions forced us to grapple with a $28 million budget reduction for FY 2009-10. To ensure that front line public safety was not impacted by such reductions, I chose to reduce my Command Staff by 41%, eliminating two Assistant Sheriff and five Captain positions.

We were able to reduce our budget by the required $28 million last year, only to find that because of continuing declines in Prop 172 revenue, we would need to cut an additional $24 million the first six months of this year. Therefore, we’ve entered into an additional round of layoffs while continuing our work to identify ways to reallocate existing resources – all to ensure the delivery of quality public safety services our residents have a right to expect.

These preparations will assist us with the $65 million shortfall we face in FY 2010-11. Overall, our goal remains the same: Reduce operational costs while minimally impacting front line public safety.

Last year, as we prepared for the reduction in Command Staff, I asked three of our Captains to take on the role of Commander. Tim Board, Jay LeFlore, and Dave Wilson responded, accepting all of the additional duties and responsibilities without any additional pay.

Since that time we've been operating with an extremely thin command structure -- one that I said we could not sustain over the long haul. At the same time, accountability, oversight, and discipline have been pushed down from the top of the organization to each division. One consistent theme I heard in June of 2008 was that previously, projects, discipline, new ideas and constructive feedback made its way to Headquarters, only to languish on the desks of Administration. This has changed because we believe that law enforcement organizations require empowered individuals to make decisions at all levels.

Over the last six months we’ve recognized that it is difficult to sustain the changes we are making with the diminished staffing. The changes and reforms we've been spearheading are too crucial, too important to the reputation and trust of this department, to be impeded by the continuing budget challenges we face.

To achieve cost savings while ensuring appropriate command oversight, fifteen of your fellow colleagues answered the call to take on additional responsibility without additional pay. We could not move forward an organization of this size and complexity without this type of leadership and sacrifice.

The attached organizational chart details positions and span of control of the interim promotions that become effective February 19th. Each interim will have the authority and rank insignia appropriate for their rank in the organization. As previously stated, these interim positions come without any increase in pay. We expect these temporary promotions to remain in place for the next eighteen months.

The economic conditions we face today are unlike those of the county bankruptcy. While the bankruptcy was caused by risky investments here in Orange County, the underlying economy was growing at that time, and the county could rely on a continued revenue stream.

These days are much different. There isn't a city in the nation that isn't feeling the impact of this recession. The State of California, in particular, has been hard hit, which makes it all the worse for us. However, we must not use the economy as a barrier to progress.

Throughout the final days of the previous administration, the ethics, training, accountability and oversight of the Orange County Sheriff's Department were daily topics in the media and local government. The actions of a few maligned the entire department.

When I came to this department I found an organization of professional, dedicated personnel. However, the leadership that preceded me failed to keep this department in step with modern law enforcement. In particular, they neglected to implement structures of accountability and risk management to safeguard those who put their lives on the line.

Your safety and our reputation are paramount. Because of the continued sacrifice of your colleagues and the outstanding contributions each and every one of you make every day, not even the budget challenges we face can hinder the progress we're making to provide for the protection of our personnel and the communities we serve. I am confident that the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are up to this task.

Thank you all for what you do every day to make us a law enforcement agency this county can rely on in challenging times.

I appreciate your continued support and thank you for your leadership.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens February 5, 2010

Sheriff's Department Government Relations Manager Ryan Burris was chosen by the 31 graduates of the Orange County Leadership Academy Class #12 to speak for the class before the Board of Supervisors earlier this week. Manager Burris and Research and Development Division Director Robert Beaver were the latest members of the Sheriff's Department to complete the prestigious program.   

Left to right, Undersheriff John Scott, Director Robert Beaver, Manager Ryan Burris and Sheriff Sandra Hutchens

Photos by Sheriff's Photographer Jerry Manson

Good Morning Chair Nguyen, Honorable Board Members and CEO Mauk:

I am honored to be here this morning with Wanda Florence to represent Orange County Leadership Academy Class #12.

On behalf of our entire class, I want to thank each of you, as well as our department heads, for your continued support and empowerment of the Leadership Academy.I would also like to thank Dr. Mark Maier and Lori Zucchino for their leadership, guidance and, most importantly, the passion they have for Servant Leadership.

Thirty one of us, representing 18 departments, were brought together last September to work, learn, and discover the essence of true, quantifiable leadership -- leadership that encompasses both brain and heart. We learned together that leadership was more than just checking off completed tasks.

Robert Greenleaf, the grandfather of Servant Leadership defines this type of leadership with the following questions: “Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves, to become servants?”

Here in the county we must endeavor to lead our fellow colleagues and members of the county family, while also engaging our hearts and our minds in service to the public.

I’ve been a member of the County family since January, 2003, when I joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department – directly serving the Sheriff-Coroner.

Many of you may not know this, but we’ve been through some challenging times.

There were a few years where we were not applying the values of Servant Leadership. Our focus had shifted from doing what was best for the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department – things such as building and strengthening relationships and maintaining the invaluable trust and reputation we held in the community.

Our former Sheriff left under a dark cloud, leaving the department with the daunting task of rebuilding.

If we are to serve our colleagues, we must serve as encouragers and communicators– and we must, above all else, serve with integrity and a focus on what is best for the organization, and the county, as a whole.

The next challenge is how all of us, as a county family, are serving the residents of Orange County.

Here in this room, I’ve witnessed some great moments in servant leadership.

Just a few weeks ago, a draft of the county’s 10-year plan to end Homelessness was approved by this Board. And time after time, we have witnessed county bureaucracy and red tape come face to face with this Board.

None of us has ever heard a taxpayer say that they wish government had more bureaucracy. If anything, they wish we were more human. The Board understands this and, while the process might be slow, the end result is that there’s more heart and less red tape in county government. Earlier this morning, OCLA Class #12 presented an engraved clock and a set of books to Lori and Mark – our academy facilitators.

We felt the books were appropriate because of a passage written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu on the African philosophy of Ubuntu: “The person who portrays the wonderful quality of Ubuntu is friendly, hospitable, generous, gentle, caring, and compassionate. In other words, someone who will use their strengths on behalf of others – the weak and the poor and the ill – and not take advantage of anyone. People with Ubuntu are approachable and welcoming; their attitude is kindly and well disposed.”

Twelve Orange County Sheriff's Explorers competed in the 2010 Chandler Law Enforcement Explorer Tactical Competition which took place in Chandler Arizona on January 15 - 17.

Post Coordinator Sergeant Dan Daniels (Reserve Bureau) and Post Advisors Deputy Courtney Todoroff (Theo Lacy Division), and Deputy Gregg Surrell (Lamoreaux Justice Center) accompanied the Explorers.

All of the Explorers' registration fees and lodging were paid with private donations or funds raised by Explorers working paid events.

The Sheriff's team competed against over 500 explorers from Explorer Posts throughout the nation.

Due to the excellent tactical training they received from S.W.A.T. Deputies Mike Perez and Shane Millhollan,  Explorer Post 449 took a first place trophy in Tactical Scouting, a third place trophy in the Incident Command System and a fourth place trophy in the Multi Level Assault.  

Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair gave his annual threat assessment briefing Tuesday to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

He warns of growing concern for Cyber Threats:

"The strategic landscape has changed considerably for US interests over the past year. We see some improvements, but also several entrenched problems and slow progress in some areas for the foreseeable future. Several large-scale threats to fundamental US interests will require increased attention, and it is on one of these threats that I will focus our initial discussion."

He stated:

"The national security of the United States, our economic prosperity, and the daily functioning of our government are dependent on a dynamic public and private information infrastructure, which includes telecommunications, computer networks and systems, and the information residing within. This critical infrastructure is severely threatened.

This cyber domain is exponentially expanding our ability to create and share knowledge, but it is also enabling those who would steal, corrupt, harm or destroy the public and private assets vital to our national interests. The recent intrusions reported by Google are a stark reminder of the importance of these cyber assets, and a wake-up call to those who have not taken this problem seriously. Companies who promptly report cyber intrusions to government authorities greatly help us to understand and address the range of cyber threats that face us all.

I am here today to stress that, acting independently, neither the US Government nor the private sector can fully control or protect the country’s information infrastructure. Yet, with increased national attention and investment in cyber security initiatives, I am confident the United States can implement measures to mitigate this negative situation." To view his complete statement to the committee click here.

The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 and American Legion Post Saddleback Valley Post 862 honored Deputies and Professional Staff from nine contract cities and the unincorporated area of Orange County. The Elks Awards were bestowed on January 17 and the American Legion Awards on January 25.

We will feature the awards individually by city over the coming weeks.

Here is a list of the honorees.

Elks Lodge No. 2444 2010 Law Enforcement and Firefighters Annual Appreciation Award Dinner.

Meritorious Service Awards to Sheriff's personnel:

City of San Juan Capistrano, Deputy Jason Ivins

Unincorporated Area, South, Deputy Michael Stout

City of Aliso Viejo, Deputy Jack Songer

City of San Clemente, Deputy Rod Valdez

City of Dana Point, Deputy Robert Edwards

City of Lake Forest, Deputy Dallas Hennessey

City of Mission Viejo, Deputy Brad Kenneally

City of Laguna Niguel, Deputy Mark Kent

City of Rancho Santa Margarita, Deputy Jack Ackerman

American Legion Saddleback Post No. 862

Medal of Merit:

Rancho Santa Margarita, Investigative Assistant Ann Guba

Lake Forest, Investigator Brian Sims

Laguna Hills, Crime Prevention Specialist Casey Few

Dana Point, Investigative Assistant Diane Hollenbeck

San Clemente, Crime Prevention Specialist Janet Dunford

San Juan Capistrano, Deputy Joe Cope

Aliso Viejo, Crime Prevention Specialist Margo Beauchamp

Unincorporated, Deputy Michael Lacey

Laguna Niguel, Deputy Miles Schuler

Mission Viejo, Crime Prevention Specialist Paula Monical

San Juan Capistrano, Investigator Scott McLeod

Preliminary tallies show that the Department had 143 employees, family and friends sign in for the Battle of the Badges Blood Driver last week. A total of 115 pints of blood was collected. In addition, Gina Cousineau with "BE A Hero.org" registered more than  50 people for the National Bone Marrow Registry.

The Department Video Unit provided the presentation below on the Battle of the Badges Blood drive. To watch it, click the icon.

Chief Clerk Jean Myers

Court Operations recently celebrated the retirement of Chief Civil Clerk Jean Myers after 36 years of public service with the County of Orange.  Jean began her career with the County as a receptionist with the UCI Medical Center in 1973.  The state took over the Medical Center in 1974 and Jean transferred to the Marshall’s office, where she worked as a Clerk I at the Fullerton Court house.  She promoted to Clerk II in 1976, and in 1978 she promoted to Chief Clerk and transferred to the Harbor Court. After seven years at the Harbor Court, she transferred back to the Fullerton Court where she worked for the remainder of her career.   

The event took place in Fullerton, and on hand was Assistant Sheriff Mike James and Captain Ron White, who presented Jean with her retirement plaque.  Also in attendance were Debra Bane, Lisa Fields and Kathy Preston, Jean’s peers,  who serve as Chief Clerks for the other courthouses in the County.  Jean’s husband, Bob Myers, sat by her side as they were surrounded by many friends and co-workers.  

The evening presentation included many outstanding comments about Jean and also many fun facts covering the last 36 years.  Jean saw four Marshalls and  two Sheriffs in the course of her employment, along with six Department heads. Computers did not exist when she started and accounting rolling tubs of hard copies of civil cases, mimeographs, and cash registers used as calculators, were the advanced technology of the day! Richard Nixon was the President in 1973; gas was forty cents a gallon; and the average yearly income was $12,900!   

Jean was overjoyed with the celebration, and she was elated by the stories, gifts she received, and the company of her friends who attended.  She acknowledged the many friendships she built over time and the opportunity to work for the Marshall’s and Sheriff’s Departments. She plans on relaxing during her time off, as well as spending some time fishing, which is something she truly enjoys. She also plans on moving to Arizona where she’ll be closer to her family.    

Gary Vose has 40 years of experience on the water, including serving as captain of a 45 foot sailboat for 10years and plying the waters of the South Pacific for two years. He has been part of many ocean rescues.

Mr. Vose wrote to Harbor Patrol Commander Lieutenant Mark Long to thank him for the professional job Habor Patrol did in the rescue of himself and five companions who were capsized in an outrigger canoe in the mouth of Newport Harbor during a recent storm.

To read the complete letter click: canoe rescue a Scan001.pdf (56.27 kb)

Board of Supervisors' Chair, Janet Nguyen, led a unanimous vote honoring Sergeant William "Bill" Riddle on his retirement from the Department. He had many assignments, including patrol, custody, investigations, supervisor of the mounted unit and security for the Hall of Administration.

To view the Board resolution click:

To view the Board resolution click:PRESENTATION-01262010[1].pdf (55.65 kb)

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens joined Tustin Police Chief Scott Jordan, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and other law enforcement officials Thursday to announce another first by the County Crime Lab. The arrest of a serial rapist who had fled to Austria was the first DNA related arrest through Interpol by a California crime lab. 

DNA evidence obtained by the lab in a 2004 Tustin rape case led to the arrest in Austria of Ali Achekzai, a former Ladera Ranch resident. Here are some of the remarks made at the press conference by Sheriff Hutchens to recognize the good work of lab staff and Tustin Police Department detectives. 

"A work request was sent to the OC Crime Laboratory on February 19, 2004 by the Tustin Police Department. The case was assigned to Forensic Scientist Annette McCall. She requested the evidence which consisted of the victim’s clothing and reference standard. Forensic Scientist McCall examined the clothing for body fluids and found semen on the victim’s underwear. She extracted DNA from the semen and typed it. A single male DNA profile was obtained. McCall entered the male DNA profile into CODIS on March 16, 2004 where it was searched locally against other Orange County crime cases and then uploaded to the State and National DNA databases. There were no CODIS hits at that time.

 On July 1, 2004, the OC Crime Laboratory CODIS Administrator was informed by California DOJ that the male DNA profile in this case matched a male DNA profile from a San Diego Police Department rape case.  Contact and an exchange of information were made between the two police departments. No suspect was identified at this point.

In December, 2009, the Tustin Police Department requested that the Orange County Crime Laboratory submit the male DNA profile from their case to be searched against the Canadian DNA database. Following National CODIS procedures, the profile was submitted to the California Department of Justice for review and was subsequently forwarded to an Interpol liaison by Cal. DOJ to be searched. The profile was searched not only against the Canadian National Database but also against the DNA Databases of the other CODIS participating countries in Interpol.

The Orange County Crime Lab was notified on January 5, 2010 that the evidence profile matched a DNA profile in the country of Austria. The DNA match information including the suspect’s identity was forwarded to the Tustin and San Diego Police Departments. Detectives from these agencies were also requested to contact the Interpol liaison to exchange information."

To see the Orange County Register's story on the case click here. 

To see the Los Angeles Times story on the case click here.

Los Angeles Sheriff's Captain Joe A. Gonzales, commanding the Cerritos Station, sent a letter to Sheriff Hutchens about Reserve Chaplain Kathleen Kooiman helping save the life of a traffic accident victim.

Reserve Chaplain Kathleen Kooiman

The letter said in part:

"On January 5, 2010, at 5:58 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputies responded to the intersection of 195th Street and Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, regarding a major traffic collision with injuries.  When the Deputies arrived, they discovered the driver of a small compact vehicle lost control of her vehicle and subsequently impacted a tree in the center median.  The impact was ferocious, as the vehicle’s engine was pushed into the driver’s compartment and pinned the driver inside her vehicle.  To make matters worse, the vehicle’s engine compartment immediately caught fire and threatened to engulf the entire vehicle."

To see the complete letter and an account of the action taken by Reserve Chaplain Kooiman click: Chaplain Kooimana.pdf (57.06 kb)

To see a commendation given to Reserve Chaplain Kooiman by the City of Cerritos click: chaplain cerritos award.pdf (47.57 kb)

Protecting your possessions is easier than you think, just watch this Public Service Annoucement made in cooperation between the City of Dana Point and Dana Point Police Services.

To view the Public Service Annoucement, click the icon below.

The Orange County Register went along with Deputies on a warrant sweep last week. Here is the report.

Furloughs help deputies find wanted

SANTA ANA The boy lived in a 4-by-6-foot shed in the back yard.

He had been living there since Thanksgiving, with a portable heater and a television to keep him company. His mom stashed him there while she kept up appearances, living with her on-again, off-again boyfriend in a garage.

Photo courtesy of LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens was interviewed by KPCC radio about her plan to rent space in the Orange County Jail. The federal government is looking at the option of housing detainees for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). ICE is currently spending a lot of money transporting detainees outside of Southern California and out of state and is interested in renting space at the Orange County Jail.

To listen to the interview click the icon below.

When enemy submarines threatened the California coast, the Navy positioned an anti-submarine net across the channel to Huntington Harbor to protect the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station.

The net was towed out of the way of American warships entering the harbor to load up on ammunition and then towed back in place.  It was towed by a Navy 26-foot open yard utility boat that was just beginning a long career of public service.

In 1947 the vessel was turned over to the Harbor Department in Newport Beach, which later evolved to become Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol.  The wartime net tower was designed No. 9 and outfitted as a workboat and patrol boat. It was used for just about anything the Harbor Department, and later Harbor Patrol, was called on to do.  

The vessel  has changed hands many times and was nearly scrapped before it was saved and restored by John Matthews.  The boat was re-launched last week after seven years out of the water. It will be used as a ceremonial craft by Sea Base, headquarters to three units of the Sea Scouts.

Photos by Professional Services Responder George Ridley

When there were no longer anti-submarine nets to tow, No. 9 was pressed into service to tow a barge with a Christmas tree in the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade.

Sometime in the 1950’s or 1960’s, the Harbor Department erected a cabin and a flying bridge and high powered water pumps to make her a formidable firefighting craft.  She was pressed into service when the Mariner’s Mile Fire destroyed a large number of commercial properties at the harbor edge.  Somewhere along the line it picked up the sobriquet Old No. 9.

“We did everything with that boat,” said former Reserve Deputy James Ehret, who came last week to see the vessel once again ply the waters of Newport Harbor under her own power.  “We used her for towing buoys and on patrol and fighting fires. She was slow moving but she was ours.  She had a single screw and you had to learn how to handle a single screw vessel. It was difficult.” More...

Two Harbor Patrol fireboats raced through heavy seas and high winds at about 4:30 Thursday afternoon to rescue the six-man crew of an outrigger canoe that was capsized and drifting dangerously close to being wrecked on the stone jetty at the entrance to Newport Harbor.  

"The waves were running 15-17 feet," said Deputy Jim Slikker, one of seven Deputies on two fireboats who participated in the rescue.

Pictures courtesy of Amy Senk, CoronadelMar.com

"The sea was running so high that the first fireboat missed it, it was on the top of the wave and the outrigger was in the trough. They were within 60 feet of it and still couldn't see it. We came out next and we saw it.

"The boat had capsized but the crew righted it and were sitting in it half filled with water. We tried to tow it but the tow line broke.One man  fell oveboard. We pulled him aboard with a life ring."

As the outrigger got closer to the stone jetty, it was decided to pull the crew aboard the two fireboats. The wind was blowing more than 30 miles per hour. In the heavy seas, the two fireboats were being pounded and both had their engines quit in flameouts due to the waves pushing the vessels over at angles that caused fuel stoppages. Emergency restarts kept the fireboats from being smashed on the rocks and enabled them to pull the outrigger crewmen to safety.

Deputy Slikker's boat rescued four of the crew and the other two were pulled aboard by the second fireboat. The stormy seas and winds created conditions that made the rescue difficult and the proximity to the rocks made it even more dangerous. Some of the outrigger crew was in the water for 20 minutes and all suffered from hypothermia.

"It was quite a task pulling the six people aboard while our boats are being pushed around and up and down by the waves," said Deputy Slikker. He said it was one of the most challenging rescues he has take part in in several years. In 1999 he received a Medal of Courage for participating in a rescue 17 miles at sea during a storm that caused waves 20 to 30 feet high.

The outrigger was left behind and is expected to wash ashore.  All of the outrigger crew members were treated for hypothermia but there were no serious injuries.    

One of the Harbor Patrol vessels virtually vanishes in the trough of the heavy sea

The Los Angeles Times published a brief story on the rescue.

In addition to Deputy Slikker, Deputies Chris Corn, Carlos Contreras, Kathy McBride, James Davis, Jason Middlekauff and Fred Torromeo participated in the rescue.

Deputies rescue capsized boaters in Newport Harbor

All OCSD Employees, Family and Friends: 

We are SEVEN days away from the 4th Annual Battle of the Badges. 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be participating in the 4th Annual “BATTLE of the BADGES” Blood Drive on Wednesday January 27, 2010 from 7AM to 7 PM. With the recent events and devastation, blood donations are critically needed.  Most of Southern California sits on an Earthquake Fault, and we face the real possibility of a severe and devastating earthquake here, too. Besides us as First Responders, who else will be there to assist? The American Red Cross. Please, if you have the time, stop by to Donate and save a Life. The Battle of the Badges Blood Drive will run for two weeks, from Tuesday, January 19th to Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, as Police and Fire Departments throughout Southern California compete in a friendly competition to see which Badge Carrying Personnel, Family and Friends can donate the most blood and ultimately save the most lives, with each agency getting one day.   

So please join us and help save a life, and help Law Enforcement collect and donate the most blood. Some of the Prizes that we have donated for this Blood Drive are listed below;

 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- Autographed Chone Figgins Picture, In-N-Out Burger 2- T-Shirts, 10 Burger Cards , 4 Guest Checks, Islands Restaurant $25.00 Card, Ontario Regin Hockey (2sets) 4Tickets, Knott’s Berry Farm 2-1Day Passes, Fox Sports 1 Michael Strahan Limited Edition Autographed Poster, 1 Unsigned Michael Strahan Poster, 1-Sure Fire Flashlight, 2- 511 Tactical Watches, 1 Nylon Uncle Mike Bag-Galls Uniform Center, OC Peace Officers Association 5-$25.00 Certificates, Multi-Tooled Knife (Leatherman), Black Uniform-Type Jacket, Autographed Luke Walton Lakers Hat Between 10:30 and 12:00 Noon Los Angeles Kings Mascot Bailey will be making an appearance, bring your kids, get a picture and an autograph.  

As of Tuesday January 20, 2010, Riverside Police Department has pre-registered 90 and we have pre-registered 70.

Last year we finished in 2^nd Place behind Riverside Police Department for Donations collected (94 to 107), with your help again, we will exceed that amount.

We will have a Blood Mobile in the Employee Parking Lot, besides the beds in the IRC Briefing Room, and we will be helping register people for the National Bone Marrow Registry. We will also be helping with a collection for the “Month of Hope” supporting the City of Hope, we will have a donation can. Come out and support our efforts and make this drive a success.

Thank You for your assistance, Deputy C.D. Vincent #2421OCSD – IRC

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The Fourth Annual Battle of the Badges is an opportunity for all badge carrying personnel, including friends and family, to positively impact our community by competing in a friendly competition* to see who can donate the most blood and ultimately save the most lives. We can have a substantial impact on the availability of blood for accident victims, cancer patients, premature babies and burn patients. During the 2009 Battle of the Badges campaign, 2,472 donors were recruited. Our goal this year is to recruit more than 3,000 donors!

Why should you participate?·         Less than 3 percent of people in the American Red Cross Southern California Blood Services Region donates blood. ·         In Southern California, the American Red Cross must distribute more than 400,000 units of blood each year to help patients in need. ·         The community blood supply is everyone’s responsibility. You could help save lives.  

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PRESS RELEASE # 3

Date:  1/21/2010

Time:  11:30 a.m.

WORST OF STORM APPROACHING ORANGE COUNTY   

 The County Emergency Operations Center remains activated to respond to the current weather situation and the Center’s Public Information Hotline is staffed and ready to accept inquiries regarding the storms. The Public Information Hotline phone number is (714) 628-7085.   

  The National Weather Service is predicting substantial rain will fall in Orange County this afternoon, with the heaviest precipitation expected between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. County residents are advised to take precautions because the coming rain will be falling on ground that is already saturated by between two and three inches of rain that has already fallen this week. Road flooding and mudslides are possible. 

Motorists are advised to be extra cautious on the road and residents living in hilly areas should be mindful of mudslide danger. Flash flood warnings have been issued for Eastern Orange County, including San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest and Aliso Viejo.  

El Toro Road is closed in both directions and will remain so throughout the day in Laguna Woods from Paseo de Valencia to Moulton Parkway.

PCH is closed to southbound traffic from Warner Avenue to SeaPoint Avenue in Huntington Beach.  

The Sheriff’s Department is investigating reports of property damage in Emerald Bay.   

Unless there is a life-threatening emergency, do not call 9-1-1.  

Please continue to monitor local television and radio stations for the most current weather information. If you haven’t yet registered for AlertOC, now is the time. AlertOC will provide up to the minute information in time of emergency. To register, go to AlertOC.com 

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE #2

Date: 1/20/2010

Time: 5:30 p.m.

ORANGE COUNTY RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO PREPARE FOR THURSDAY'S STORM

Orange County residents are encouraged to take any needed precautions before Thursday's arrival of the fourth in the current series of storms affecting Southern California.

The National Weather Service currently estimates that the next storm will arrive in Orange County late Thursday morning and may be of a longer duration than Wednesday's storm. Rainfall amounts of one to two inches are predicted for much of the County with higher amounts in the mountain areas. This additional precipitation will fall over already saturated ground, bringing the danger of localized flooding. Thunderstorms and other types of severe weather are also possible with Thursday's storms.

The County Emergency Operations Center remains activated to respond to the current weather situation and the Center's Public Information Hotline is staffed and ready to accept inquiries regarding the storms. The Public Information Hotline phone number is (714) 628-7085.

Unless there is a life-threatening emergency, please do not call 9-1-1.

Please continue to monitor local television and radio stations for hte most current weather information.

Orange County Emergency Operations Center and Public Information Hotline Activated (Press Release #1)

The County of Orange activated and staffed the Emergency Operations Center with selected County agency representatives at 10:00 a.m. on 1/20/2010.  The Public Information Hotline has been staffed and is ready to accept calls of inquiry in regard to the impact of the on-going series of storms affecting Orange County.

To view the full release click: PR # 1 - EOC and Hotline activation.pdf (268.04 kb)

More than 30 "Care Packages" were sent by the Department to Sheriff's employees serving overseas with the military during the Holiday Season.

Special collections for those overseas were sponsored by Research and Development, Transportation, Sex Crimes and Sheriff's Admin.  Donna Muleady, of Sheriff's Admin. made a dozen stockings and filled them with candy for the employees serving overseas.

Sheriff's Special Officer John Pham

Sheriff's Special Officer John Pham, of the Theo Lacy Facility and currently serving with the Army in Iraq, was especially thankful for his "Care Package." 

"I am very appreciative and thank you very much for caring," SSO Pham said.

To see a portion of his letter click: pham Scan001a.pdf (36.47 kb)

Criminal Justice students from El Modena and Villa Park High Schools had a rare opportunity last week to see a jail from the inside as part of a class tour. It was made possible due to the temporary closing of the Department’s Women’s Jail.

Teacher Maggie Kibbits had inquired about taking her students behind bars but state law prohibits those under 18 from visiting the inside of a jail.

Captain Davis Nighswonger learned of the request and he had an idea.

“With the Central Women’s Jail vacant, I was wondering if it would be possible for them to take a tour of that facility?” he asked.

The idea was run up the chain of command and after review by County Counsel the tours were scheduled.

Photos by Sheriff's Photographer Jerry Manson

The first class to tour was from Villa Park High School with about 20 students taking part.

A welcome talk was given by Sergeant Mitch Wang and he then packed the teacher and students into the sallyport entrance to the Central Women’s Jail. The sallyport is essentially a large jail cell with two doors, one to the outside and one to the inside.  Only one door opens at a times, so to go in or out of the jail, for a least a brief time the visitor is locked between the two doors.

The security advantage of the sallyport was explained to the students. It gives twice the protection against escape that one door would provide. Inside the sallyport one can only leave with permission from the Main Control staff. More...