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November 6, 2009 16:15 by John
FROM COWBOYS TO CRIME LABS: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
By Sergeant John Hollenbeck
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department came into existence on August 1, 1889, when a proclamation of the state legislature separated the southern portion of Los Angeles County and created Orange County. The entire department consisted of Sheriff Richard Harris and Deputy James Buckley, with an operating budget of $1,200 a year and a makeshift jail in the rented basement of a store in Santa Ana. They served a sparsely populated county of 13,000 residents, scattered throughout isolated townships and settlements. The problems faced by the first sheriff were typical for a frontier county – tracking down outlaws, controlling vagrancy, and attempting to maintain law and order across 782 square miles of farmland and undeveloped territory.
Sheriff Theo Lacy, circa 1890s
But the county was expanding, and the department grew with it. The Spurgeon Square Jail was opened by Sheriff Joe Nichols in 1897, and the Orange County Courthouse followed in 1901. Sheriff Theo Lacy (the second and fourth sheriff of Orange County, who served from 1890-1894 and 1899-1911) was able to move from borrowed office space in Santa Ana to a dedicated headquarters in the courthouse that remained in operation until 1924.
When he took office in 1911, Sheriff Charles Ruddock commanded a staff of eight full-time deputies and jailers, serving a county of nearly 34,000 citizens. But the county’s frontier past returned to haunt it on December 16, 1912, when Undersheriff Robert Squires became the first member of the department to be killed in the line of duty while part of a posse attempting to apprehend a violent fugitive. More...
November 6, 2009 13:22 by John
With the recent retirement of the two former K-9 teams at John Wayne Airport (JWA), three newly certified Explosives Detection Canine Teams have begun to serve on the front lines of security at JWA. Each team is trained to quickly locate and identify dangerous materials that may present a threat to transportation systems. The work of the K-9 teams has evolved to include searches during bomb threats associated with aircraft, airport terminals, vehicles, luggage, and cargo, as well as serving as general deterrents to criminal activity.
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens joins JWA Director Alan L. Murphy, rear left, and TSA Federal SecurityDirector B.C. Bell in welcoming the new dogs to airport security team
Photos by Sheriff's Photographer Jerry Manson
Left to right; Deputy Len Letze with "Goldy"; Deputy Dave Ray with "Cyril" and Deputy Lynn Ridenour with "Rico"
To see the Orange County Register report and photo display on the arrival of the new K-9 teams, click here.
To see the Daily Pilot story, click here.
November 5, 2009 17:08 by John
Director Dean Gialamas accepts Vital Link award for Department
The Orange County Sheriff's Department has been selected as Career Outreach Partner of the Year by Vital Link. Vital Link is an organization working to maintain a link between businesses and educators in an effort to prepare students for the successful transition to meaningful employment. As a catalyst for systemic change, Vital Link is committed to making high school an integral component in the career development process for students.
This summer, Vital Link sent several teachers/counselors for a tour of the Department's Crime Lab.
For more information on Vital Link, click here.
November 5, 2009 12:24 by John
The "Orange County Lawmen" Police Football Team is looking for a few good football players.
The Orange County Lawmen Football Team plays full contact football games to raise money for charity.
The Lawmen give scholarships to graduating high school athletes to assist them with their college career.
The 2010 season will start in just a couple of months. The plans for this season are to travel to Columbus, Ohio.
The practices are held on Saturday mornings at 0800 hours (to accommodatethe players working graveyard shift). Non-mandatory practices for skillplayers will start in January 2010 with full practice beginning in February.
Playing on the Orange County Lawmen Football Team is a fun and rewarding experience. You have the opportunity to meet and work with lawenforcement personnel from all over Orange County. You also get to meetand befriend cops and firefighters from all over the country.
Anybody interested in playing or assisting with the off field events, Lawmen team meeting is Saturday November 7th at 11am.
It will be at the HB POA Office located at 18211 Prodan HB.
Any interested players are encouraged to attend. For more information please call 714-608-5936
November 5, 2009 07:49 by John
Photo courtesy of Orange County Register photographer Michael Goulding
Many people turn away at the sight of Manny, the newest training device at the Coroner's office. The life-like mannequin was created by a studio that works for television and the movies. The mannequin is designed to bring realism to the lessons taught Coroner's investigators from around the state who train at the Department's facility in Santa Ana.
The Orange County Register and KCBS did news features on Manny.
To view the Register's story, click here.
To view the KCBS broadcast clike the icon below.
November 4, 2009 14:07 by John
Register Reporter Larry Welborn, who started his career at the paper when James Musick was Sheriff, is seeking to identify the 10 most notorious crimes in the county. To make up the list he is featuring 50 notorious crimes, one each day, on his Blog in the Register.
Silent film star Bebe Daniels is entertained while serving 10-day sentence at Orange County Jail in 1921 for speeding
He will be seeking input from readers and nominations of crimes he has overlooked.
He started the series this week and the first three cases he profiles all have a link to the Sheriff's Department. The cases so far include the 1892 lynching of jail inmate Francisco Torres, the 1920 apprehension of serial killer Mose Gibson, who was brought back to Orange County from Arizona by a team of Sheriff's Deputies, and the incarceration in the county jail of silent film star Bebe Daniels, sentenced for speeding in 1921. Her case appears to have been the most celebrated car chase in the county until OJ Simpson passed through in a Ford Bronco in 1994.
To see the story click here.
November 4, 2009 13:56 by Admin
November 4, 2009 08:21 by John
Over 300 county employees, including members of every Division in the Sheriff’s Department, helped win high praise in preliminary reports by federal evaluators of the recent SONGS Plume Phase Exercise, Sheriff’s Emergency Operations Bureau Manager Donna Boston told the Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is the lead agency in County-wide emergency planning and preparedness. This is done through the Homeland Security Division, Emergency Management Bureau (EMB). Within the EMB there exists a team of highly trained emergency planners and coordinators who work to ensure the County develops effective emergency plans and is able to respond to any imaginable catastrophic event. Among those hazards that the team plans for is an emergency at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, commonly referred to as SONGS.
The County is mandated by federal and state regulations to manage a nuclear preparedness program, and part of that is to participate in evaluated exercises. On September 23, 2009, the Sheriff’s Department hosted one of these evaluated exercises: The 2009 SONGS Plume Phase Exercise.
Preparation for this exercise included countless training sessions, a fully staffed dress rehearsal, major event preparations, and the involvement of every division of OCSD.
On the day of the graded exercise, Sheriff Hutchens, as Director of Emergency Services led the Emergency Operations Center to a successful final exercise grade. At the conclusion of the emergency exercise, Federal Emergency Management Agency evaluators candidly stated that the “OC EOC rocked.” Evaluators were extremely impressed with the EOC’s ability to make decisions, implement protective actions for the public and inform the public through media relations and hotline operators. The final report for the SONGS Exercise captures the dedication to excellence which exists in the County and the Sheriff’s Department.
The EMB staff who energized the entire EOC included Sara Kaminske, Vicki Osborn, Peggy Erdner, Donna Mayer, Raymond Cheung, Janell Harriman, Katrina Faulkner, Michelle Anderson, Luis Ramirez, Michelle Prieto and Mellisa Chorn. It is through their attention to detail and willingness to push past challenges and reach for solutions that the EOC has become a national model for nuclear preparedness.
November 3, 2009 12:49 by John
On Saturday, October 24, 2009 the Westminster Police Department’s Police Officers Association hosted a bike race called the “ Haunted Ride”.
The ride was to raise money for their memorial fund. Five teams entered this inaugural event in hopes of bringing home the first place trophy.
This was a five person team event with a relay-type format. This marathon ride went from Midnight to 8:00AM with each team member taking a turn on the course that traversed along the Westminster Mall access road.
At the end of the night the team that had ridden the most laps won.
The Sheriff’s Department’s team was made up of Sgt. Ben Stripe ( North Operations), Deputy Kevin Lapyrne ( North Operations) Deputy Stu Thomsen ( North Operations) Sgt. Stu Rawlings (South Operations) and Deputy Jim Nasser (Central Jail Complex) .
OCSD took home the first place trophy for their efforts.
More importantly, their efforts assisted the Westminster Police Department’s Peace Officer Association in raising money for its Memorial Fund.
November 3, 2009 07:42 by John
The Class 191 Guidon bears this motto:
“Never Afraid, First to Attack, Nothing Can Break the Strength of the Pack”
Photos by Professional Services Responder Randy Frager
The 17 graduates included seven from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, four from the Santa Monica Police Department, two from the Newport Beach Police Department, and one each from the Irvine Police Department, the Vernon Police Department, Santa Ana College and the U.S. Navy.
“As we go forth in our careers we will strive to be the best, as you have taught us. We will never go down without a fight because of the training that you and the other county instructors have provided us,” said Class President Kevin McInerney, a Santa Monica Police Officer.
The class training began on May 18 and since then seven class members dropped out.
“The unprepared, the unfit for duty and the weak are no longer here. Recruits who will graduate this evening deserve to be here, you have made sure of that,” said Officer McInerney. More...
November 2, 2009 13:53 by John
Project 999, which supports the survivors of Peace Officers killed in the line of duty, is sponsoring a comedy benefit at Original Mike's on November 7.
To see the front of their flyer click: COMEDY FIESTA FLYER FRONT FINALa.pdf (223.71 kb)
For the back of the flyer click: COMEDY FIESTA FLYER BACK FINAL.pdf (449.66 kb)
Here are some videos of the scheduled performers:
November 2, 2009 07:55 by John
Photographs by Audio Visual Specialist Robert Smith
October 30, 2009 14:32 by John
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department was sad to announce the passing of Reserve Sergeant Kendall M. Sanders Jr. After suffering the prolonged and devastating effects caused by H1N1 virus, Ken passed away on October 22nd, 2009. While in ICU at Kaiser Hospital in Riverside, Ken’s family and closest friends maintained a steady vigil at his bedside as he fought this battle for almost three months. With permission from the family, and after discussing all options with Ken’s physician and hospital administrators, Ken was removed from all life support measures.
Ken is survived by his wife Karen and sisters Kathy and Karen.
I’ve been a close friend of Ken’s for the better part of 22 years. He was “best man” at my wedding and he was the brother I never had. If you ask anyone who knew Ken, you would consistently hear stories of how he went above and beyond to help anyone in need, no matter the problem, no matter the time. He always seemed to give more than he received yet he never kept score. He just did it because he felt joy by helping out not only his friends, but others he hardly knew.
Ken was born on August 14th, 1963 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
· He was sworn in as Reserve Deputy Level -III on 1-22-92.
· Promoted to Level-II on 1-26-93.
· Promoted to Sergeant on 10-14-2002.
Ken’s most recent assignment was Investigations Reserve Unit, where he was assigned to Special Investigations. Other assignments include:
· The Special Enforcement Team for the city of San Juan Capistrano.
· The mounted unit.
Just in the past four years alone Ken donated almost 2,000 hours of his own time. Over the course of his 18 years of service to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the citizens of Orange County, Ken has donated thousands more. All of this was in addition to his regular full time job.
Ken was also a county employee, working at John Wayne Airport, as a “Shop Planner”. His responsibilities required him to arrange construction projects, locate and hire construction personnel and order the materials required to complete these projects. At the airport Ken’s affable spirit and winning personality earned him many loyal and steadfast friends. Several of these friends were at Ken’s side even in his final hours.
Ken was not only a gun owner, he was a gunslinger, who loved horseback riding and visiting Tombstone Arizona. He also loved Starbuck’s coffee, by the gallon, and good cigars… usually not more than one at a time.
Ken’s love and friendship will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
With Respect,
Dominic Montalbano
October 30, 2009 07:38 by John
This just in from Court Operations:
On October 12, 2009, Sheriff’s Special Officer James (Jim) Wallace of the Court Operations Division received a very special and well deserved honor. Jim was named “Bailiff of the Year” by the Orange County Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Jim received his award at the Newport Beach Pacific Club in front of a packed house of Trial Attorneys, Bench Officers, and other Orange County Law Officials.
SSO Wallace began his career in Law Enforcement in 1983 as a Reserve Officer with the Orange Police Department. He performed duties as a Level 1 Reserve Patrol Officer and donated thousands of volunteer hours to the community and police department. He was hired in 1998 by the Orange County Marshall's Department and began serving as a Court Services Officer. He later became a Sheriff’s Special Officer when the agency merged with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
SSO Wallace spent the past eight years assigned to Division L73 at the Lamoreaux Justice Center. He provided Bailiff Services to Judge Gerald Johnston within the Orange County Probate Court. He performed his duties with distinction and states “it was a privilege to work with Judge Johnston". He was recently re-assigned to Judge Cheryl Leininger in Division L-53 which he enjoys very much.
In 2005, SSO Wallace received the “Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year Award from the Orange County Victim Witness Program. He developed a program for frightened youth who were testifying in court against someone who had harmed them. The program was designed to familiarize the victims with the court process and ease their fears. Jim states, “One of my goals working in the court is to make the experience a positive one. I try to let people know that it is a professional process and can be fun. It shouldn’t be something to fear.”
Court Operations Lieutenant Brad Virgoe was pleased to see SSO Wallace receive his award. He states, “Jim is a very special person and has a heart as big as the court house. He does an outstanding job as a bailiff, but it’s the other things that I notice. He’s always the one to buy the cards and flowers when an associate loses a family member, or organize and collect money when someone is in need. It happened way too many times last year, but Jim was always there for everyone.”
SSO Wallace was a valuable asset during a recent high profile case that occurred at the Lamoreaux Justice Center. He had an established rapport with the involved attorneys and maintained contact over a several week period. He received updates and information that was necessary to the event planning and security of the Justice Center. Jim’s involvement directly contributed to the safe and efficient handling of the incident.
SSO Wallace has a long history of service and is a proud Air Force and Viet Nam Veteran. He is married to his wife Ginger, and enjoys every minute of time with his two sons David and Brian, and grandchildren Ryan and Katie.
October 29, 2009 07:47 by John
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens congratulates Deputy Kevin Spellerberg, left, and Deputy Coroner Kelly Ralph on their Heroes with Hearts Awards
Deputy Kevin Spellerberg and Deputy Coroner Kelly Ralph of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department were nominated for Heroes with Hearts Awards by Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. volunteers Renee Lutz and Cindy Gosting.
In May of 2009 an elderly woman was found dead in her backyard by her son. Because of the circumstances of the death, family members had many questions about what happened to their mother.
Two TIP volunteers responded to the scene where they worked alongside Deputy Kevin Spellerberg and Deputy Coroner Kelly Ralph. According to the TIP volunteers, both Deputy Spellerberg and Deputy Coroner Ralph were exceptionally compassionate with the distraught family members. They spent time answering all the family members’ questions and were very available to them throughout the afternoon.
Deputy Coroner Ralph allowed the son of the deceased to be with her when she examined his deceased mother. This was very important to the son.
Family members complimented both the Deputy and the Deputy Coroner on a number of occasions. Following are direct quotes from Renee Lutz and Cindy Gosting, the TIP volunteers who nominated Deputy Spellerberg and Deputy Coroner Ralph:
• “Deputy Coroner Ralph has a lovely demeanor and is very kind.”
• “Deputy Spellerberg was very respectful and kind and takes his job very seriously.”
• “I have been on other calls with both of these individuals and they always show caring and compassion.”
For their compassionate care of citizens in crisis, Trauma Intervention Programs of Orange County is pleased to present Deputy Kevin Spellerberg and Deputy Coroner Kelly Ralph with the 2009 Heroes with Heart Awards.
For visit the Website of the Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc Orange County Chapter click here.
October 28, 2009 14:02 by John
The case of Jamie Marie Meissner made news when her attorney accused the Department of removing video footage he claimed would show his client being the victim of excessive force. The missing footage was due to an error in editing, leaving the view of one camera and appearing in a second camera. When the footage was found it showed no misconduct by jail staff. The jury made it official: no excessive force.
The Register gave this account:
Jamie Marie Meissner, an Arizona health professional, has lost her lawsuit accusing Orange County Sheriff’s deputies of excessive force while she was being booked into the jail in March 2007.
Meissner, as Watchdog readers may recall, was questioned by Laguna Beach police for jaywalking and arrested on suspicion of giving false information to a police officer.
Video segments of Meissner’s encounter at the jail, included in a previous blog post, did not appear to show any evidence of abuse at the hands of deputies. Her attorney, Stephen Tornay, said it would probably come down to who the jury believed.
Last week, the jury came down on the side of the sheriff’s department.
“It’s not surprising that once the evidence was presented to a jury that they came to the conclusion they did,” said Sheriff’s Commander Tim Board.
To see the Register posting and the accompanying video click here.
October 28, 2009 07:19 by John
Over the past several years the duties of Sheriff’s Special Officers (SSO's) within the Orange County Sheriff’s Department have expanded significantly.
SSO's serve in various divisions throughout the department including the CJX, Theo Lacy Facility, James A. Musick Facility, Airport Operations, Court Operations and the Security Bureau.
The multi-faceted use of SSO's can sometimes create confusion about their official powers and responsibilities as Peace Officers.
This training bulletin will attempt to clear up some of those misconceptions and serve as a reference to members of the department.
What are Sheriff’s Special Officers?
Sheriff’s Special Officers are duly sworn and appointed Peace Officers. They derive their authority from California Penal Code sections 830.33, 830.35, and 830.36. They have the authority to make arrests and utilize force (within the confines of the law and department policy) for the purpose of performing their primary duty. Can Sheriff’s Special Officers carry and utilize handguns, Electronic Control Devices (ECDs/TASERs), batons and Pepper Spray?Yes, within the guidelines and policies of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and all applicable laws.
Can Sheriff’s Special Officers carry concealed weapons off-duty?
Yes. California Penal Code section 12027 exempts certain peace officers from the requirements of California Penal Code section 12025 which prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons. The Court of Appeals has ruled that Sheriff’s Special Officers meet the requirements for the exemption and therefore do not need to obtain a CCW permit to carry a concealed weapon off-duty.
Are Sheriff’s Special Officers Peace Officers when they are off-duty?
Yes, the Court of Appeals has ruled that Sheriff’s Special Officers qualify to carry concealed weapons off-duty based on their status as Peace Officers. That said, Title 6 of the Departments Rules and Regulations states “Special Officers and Deputy Coroners, while off-duty, have no general duties to perform as an employee of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department”. This does not lessen their off-duty status as peace officers, however it diminishes the expectation for them to act in their official capacity as peace officers while off-duty.
October 27, 2009 13:42 by John
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DAMON MICALIZZI
(714) 647-4191
November 5, 2009
DRUG USE IS LIFE ABUSE TO HOST FORUM ADDRESSING MEDICINE ABUSE BY OC TEENS
(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) - A community forum on November 12th brings lawmakers, parents, educators, law enforcement and healthcare professionals together to discuss solutions to the dangerous trend of teens abusing medicine to get high.
The meeting, sponsored by Drug Use Is Life Abuse (DUILA), Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Capistrano Unified School District Office, 33122 Valle Road, in San Juan Capistrano. The goal is to raise awareness about the problems of prescription drug and over-the-counter cough medicine abuse among teens.
Recent studies have spotlighted medicine abuse, including the abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, as an alarming trend among young people. When used correctly, these drugs are safe and effective. But when abused, these drugs can produce dangerous side effects, including death.
“Through collaborative efforts and united resources, CHPA and CADCA are helping us to educate our community about this dangerous trend,” said Marilyn MacDougall, Executive Director of DUILA. “From parents and educators to law enforcement officials, it is imperative that we come together to learn about medicine abuse so that we can raise awareness about its dangers among our teens.”
The Orange County meeting is one of a series of forums occurring across the country to raise awareness about cough medicine abuse. For more information including a complete list of participating partners go to www.duila.org.
October 27, 2009 08:02 by John
The Exchange Club of San Clemente recently held their awards luncheon and honored three members of the Department for good work.
Those honored were Deputy Rod Valdez, Senior Volunteer Bill Waibel and Investigative Assistant Karen Huggins. Included are the remarks given when they received their awards.
DEPUTY OF THE YEAR
Deputy Rod Valdez
Deputy Rod Valdez was hired by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in August of 1986 as a deputy sheriff where he was assigned to the jails.
In 1994, Rod transferred to the contract city of San Clemente where he has spent the past 15 years.
He spent three years as a motor officer working traffic in San Clemente, during which time he was struck while on the motorcycle in two separate collisions – neither was his fault, but after the second accident he decided to not tempt fate and returned to driving a black and white patrol vehicle. More...
October 26, 2009 13:33 by John
Deputy Christensen, left, gives a presentation to the National School Resource Officers Association in 2008.
The California School Resource Officer's Association has named Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Lance Christensen it's SRO of the year. Earlier this year he was named a runner-up for School Resource Officer of the Year by the National School Resource Officer's Assocation.
Deputy Christensen will receive the state organization honor on Wednesday during the organizaton's annual conference, this year in San Diego.
His nomination by Tesoro High School said in part:
"Deputy Christensen guides students toward making better, informed choices and he checks in on them often. He works at building long-lasting relationships with students, rather than simply doling out consequences and moving on the next case. His strong rapport and relationships with students have impacted students to confide in him when otherwise they might not, and either would have made destructive decisions or ignored when their peers have. Deputy Christensen demonstrates the "critical friend" model without asking students to be critical friends. Under this non-judgmental guidance, students are drawn from an inner sense of responsibility regarding their friend's choices as well as their own. This phenomenon has thwarted many negative outcomes."
The CSROA describes itself this way on it's Website:
The CSROA is comprised of dedicated peace officers and educators of California who readily commit their experiences, efforts, and knowledge to achieve the common goal of providing all California schools with a safe and healthy learning environment. Members of the CSROA serve California’s schools statewide, participating in various community-based prevention efforts and convene with a number of committees dedicated to recognizing the potential in today’s youth.
To view the Employee Spotlight feature on Deputy Christensen run on the Blog previously click here.
To learn more about the organization click here.
Deputy Christensen has been featured in the Deparment Blog several times. Click here to see some of his contributions to the Department's mission.
To view his nomination by Tesoro High School click: ChristensenCSROAOfficer2009Nomination2.pdf (115.42 kb)
October 26, 2009 07:19 by John
Project 999, which helps support the survivors of peace officers killed in the line of duty, is one of the Orange County charities that benefit from United Way contributions.
To learn about Project 999 click here.
To learn more about the United Way of Orange County click here.
To view Sheriff Hutchens' Public Service Announcement click the icon below.
October 23, 2009 15:38 by John
Deputy Mark Tonkin, an eight year veteran of the Sheriff-Coroner Department, lost his life in a helicopter crash on Monday night, October 24, 1988, while assigned to DESERT RANGER, a multi-agency cooperative narcotic enforcement program in the state. Mark was one of eight victims aboard a California National Guard UH1H Huey Helicopter which went down and burned in mountainous terrain near El Centro, California.
Other members of the narcotic team on the ill-fated mission were two deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, one each from Riverside County and the Imperial County Sheriff's Departments, and three officers from the California National Guard. Operation DESERT RANGER has, in the past, involved personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs, Border Patrol, San Bernardino County Sheriff and San Diego County Sheriff.
Deputy Tonkin joined the department on August 21, 1981. He was initially assigned to the Main Jail upon completing basic training. He worked a short time as a court bailiff and then assigned to North Patrol. Deputy Tonkin was assigned to the Career Criminal Apprehension Team in January of 1988.
To see the 1988 Department Bulletin that reported his death click: tonkin.pdf (1.23 mb)
The Orange County Register reported his death this way:
8 officers killed in copter crash
Orange County deputy among group involved in a drug-fighting mission
October 25, 1988
Byline: James V. Grimaldi; Edward Humes
The Register
An Orange County Sheriff's deputy, three local National Guardsmen and four other law-enforcement officers were killed Monday night when an Army National Guard helicopter from Los Alamitos crashed during a drug-fighting mission near the Mexican border. More...
October 23, 2009 07:13 by John
More than 70% of potential organ and tissue donor cases recovered by OneLegacy are, at one point, coroner’s cases. It is only after a forensic investigator gives clearance that the donation process can proceed. This special relationship between the two agencies can be summarized by the title of the mural: “Working Together to Save Lives.” To show appreciation to the men and women of the Department's Coroner's Division, OneLegacy has donated a mural painted in the Coroner's facility.
“Working Together to Save Lives” is the newly completed mural located in the Orange County Coroner Division facility. The mural celebrates the special collaboration between the Department and OneLegacy, the organ and tissue recovery organization serving the seven-county greater Los Angeles area.
Among those at the presentation were Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Chief Deputy Coroner Jacque Brendt, officials of OneLegacy and a couple of special ladies.
The mural captures the first time that Amber Vargas listened to her mother’s heart beat in the chest of the Karen Athey, whose life was saved by the organ donation. Both Amber and Karen were present.
The presentation of the mural was covered by both the Orange County Register and KCAL.
Click here to view the Register report.
Click the icon to view the KCAL report.
October 22, 2009 11:07 by Admin
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the Department faces another $65 million in budget cuts primarily due to the faltering sales tax revenues. Assistant Sheriff Mike James gave the Board an update on the state of the Department's jails.
Click here to view the Orange County Register story on the presentations.
To view the PowerPoint presented by the Sheriff and Assistant Sheriff James click the icon below.
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