Members of the Department's Reserve Division serve in the skys overhead and the ocean offshore, in patrol cars, on booking desks, in the forensic lab, on undercover assignments, event security and they perform a long list of other duties. The Orange County Sheriff's Department Reserve Division is here to help the sworn deputies and professional staff fullfill the Department's responsiblity to the public. Both sworn Reserve Deputies, who have police powers according to their level of POST certification and Professional Service Civilian Responders who have no police authority, work on their own time help us all. Many of these unpaid volunteers have distinguished themselves and what follows is a list of those who have been specially recognized for their effort.    

RESERVE AWARDS 2007 
 
AERO (Aero Squadron Reserve Unit) 
 
Plaque 
 
Supervisor of the Year Reserve Lt. John Porter
Deputy of the Year Reserve Dep. Martin Cota
PSR of the Year Larry Smith
Special Recognition PSR George Ridley
 
Years of Service Certificate 
 
10 Years Reserve Lt. Ray Grimes
 Reserve Dep. Winifred Houston
 
25 Years Reserve Sgt. Sam Autrey
 Reserve Dep. Thomas Sering
  Reserve Dep. Richard Williams
 
Hours 2006 Certificate 
 
Bronze Pin 
Hours 
505 Reserve Sgt. Sam Autrey
519 Reserve Sgt. Dick Blosser
510 Reserve Lt. Ray Grimes
564 Reserve Sgt. Charles Jones
699 Reserve Capt. Bud Rasner
 
CPRU (Community Programs Reserve Unit) 
 
Plaque 
 
Deputy of the Year Reserve Dep. Tom Cole
 
Years of Service Certificate 
 
5 Years Reserve Dep. Roberto Baeza
 Reserve Dep. Tom Cole
 Reserve Sgt. Jer KahalaMore...

Reserve Sgt. Mike Phillips graduated earlier this month from the Level 1 Reserve Module and academically placed first in his class of 20 at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert. 

 “I always wanted to get into law enforcement and the reserves were a way for me to test the waters,” said Phillips, who joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Reserves in 2001. He completed his Level II Reserve requirements in 2002.

Sgt. Phillips. 29, said he has worked between 500 and 1,000 hours a year since joining the Reserve Force and he has come to like it more all the time.  

“I’d rather do this work for free than go to my regular job,” said Phillips, a civil engineer who has his own consulting firm in Newport Beach.  He said he would have been unable to complete the course without the support of his wife Laurie, a Community Service Officer in Newport Beach.  She did balk when he suggested he start Level I training in June. The couple was expecting their second child. He waited until July, shortly after their son Owen was born, before he started the latest training.  The couple’s oldest son is Collin, 2 ½.  More...

Amherst is a suburb of Buffalo, New York that prides itself for being one of the safest communities in the nation.

Several times it has ranked No. 1 in Congressional Quarterly's annual "City Crime Rankings in Metropolitan America."

This year Amherst placed No. 4. To find out how his town can be No. 1 again, Amherst Town Supervisor Satish B. Mohan and his wife Ushan came to visit the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Supervisor Mohan inquired about public safety in Mission Viejo, which currently holds the honor of the safest community in the country.

He marveled when informed by Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson that 45 deputies patrol Mission Viejo, with a population of 97,997.  With the Chief of Police Services Lt. Stephan Bernardi, sergeants, investigators and support staff there are 66 Department members assigned to the city.  Assistant Sheriff Anderson and Capt. Ron White, Commander of South County Operations, met with mayor and his wife on Thursday.

Amherst has a police force of 154 sworn officers and 36 full and part time civilian employees for a town with 117,000 residents.More...

This story relates to our ongoing discussion of law enforcement review here in Orange County.

From the Los Angeles Times, "Policy Violations found in Gibson's arrest":

"The actions amounted to minor infractions of department rules, but they made it look like Gibson received preferential treatment, said Michael Gennaco, chief attorney for the sheriff's Office of Independent Review.

"It certainly creates an image of celebrity justice," he said.

In addition to the Gibson and Hilton cases, the panel reviewed the Sheriff's Department's response to the deaths of jail inmates and a contest meant to encourage arrests by deputies."

Read it all right here.

Another of our contract cities - we provide police services to twelve OC cities - has just been named the "Safest". This recognition comes from the FBI. Eugene W. Fields writes:

"For the second consecutive year, Rancho Santa Margarita ranked as the safest city in California among cities with a population of 20,000-100,000 residents.

According to figures recently released by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the city averaged 0.98 crimes per 100 residents in 2006. Rancho Santa Margarita was the only city in that population range to average less than one crime per 100 residents.

[...]

Lt. Chuck Wilmot, chief of police services, said the numbers had as much to do with the community as the policing of it.

"There's a lot that goes into those statistics. We're a relatively new city and we're relatively far away from the freeways," Wilmot said. "And a lot of it has to do with the city council being very public safety-orientated."

This news comes after the City of Mission Viejo was named the safest in the nation. We think Santa would agree. 

Read about RSM's recognition right here.

Deputy John Good was named the 2007 Deputy of the Year by the Dana Point City Council. The Register's Angela Potter interviewed Deputy Good:

Q. Do you like working in Dana Point?

A. I love it. There's great weather, a great group of people to work with and great citizen support. They're glad to see us in the neighborhoods. It's a great job. I have at least a couple more years in Dana Point and then I hope to be promoted to investigator or a supervisory, sergeant role.

Read it all right here.

Here's video of Deputy Mike Wagner (Elks Deputy of the Year) and our Search and Rescue Reserve Unit in the Laguna Niguel Parade on December 8, 2007, from Cox Cable channel: www.scsvideo.com/video/LNSRRUParade.wmv  

From the City of Aliso Viejo 

More than 30 youngsters were honored Saturday for their contributions to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Enforcement Unit (MEU) in helping to provide “riot masks” for the patrol’s horses.

The Ortega 4-H Rangers, at San Juan Capistrano-based Ortega Equestrian Center, gave the unit $2,000 toward the purchase of riot masks for the horses. The donation helped the unit, which is led by Aliso Viejo Chief of Police Services Lt. Rich Paddock, to buy nine riot masks at about $200 a piece.

The MEU is used to patrol areas throughout the county and for numerous special events, including working with other police departments with horses and the orderly movement and monitoring of large masses of people.

“Some of the horses had old riot masks and some didn’t have any,” Paddock said. “These will enable more horses to be protected from unruly crowds.”

Donating the funding to help protect the horses was a labor of love for the 4-H, a group of about 35 youth, that mainly works on projects to benefit horses. The youngsters, led by Kathy Holman of Ortega Equestrian Center, held bake sales and barbecues, sold candy, cookie dough and more to raise the funds.

On Saturday, Paddock presented the youngsters with a plaque representing the department’s gratitude for their efforts and generous contributions.

“This really threw us for a loop,” said Paddock, a horse owner and San Juan Capistrano resident.  “These kids contacted us and told us they raised the money.  We didn’t even know they were working on it. What a nice Christmas present for the horses!  This also reminds us of the collective good youth groups can do for the community.  We really appreciate what Kathy has done with these kids.  It was our pleasure to present them with this plaque as a token of our appreciation of what we do and their love for animals.”

 

A hospital is the last place a child wants to be on Christmas Eve.  Unfortunately, illness doesn’t always “stand down” for the Holidays. Tomorrow morning at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, some 200 kids will have an angel watching over them as they struggle with illness this holiday season.

The beautiful, hand crafted stained glass angels encased in 24K gold, come courtesy of inmates at the James A. Musick Facility and Rick Cryder, founder of Angels of Love. It's one of the many programs for inmates in the Orange County Jail System. Over the years, Cryder has taught hundreds of inmates the craft of welding and given them a chance to give something back while rehabilitating their lives in the process. 

 

Since 2002, angels have also been given to the families of each fallen law enforcement officer and fire fighter in the State of California, along with many others in our nation. Angels of Love has donated hundreds of angels to families who have experienced tragedies in their lives. These include families of the military killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Virginia Tech shootings, Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine, 911 terrorist attacks and other world events. 

But Cryder’s ministry takes on an extra special significance during the holidays. He doesn’t exactly don the red suit, and he’s not bringing that shiny new bicycle, but he does bring some much needed “comfort and joy” to children and their families. This past Friday, he delivered about 100 angels to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Tomorrow, 200 more kids, who will likely be spending their Christmas at CHOC, will be receiving a precious and beautiful gift, hand-made by the unlikeliest of elves. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, December 8th, at about 2:30 am, a female motorist traveling south-bound on the I-5 in San Juan Capistrano was involved in a single vehicle accident and became stranded. As she attempted to call for assistance, a male subject stopped and offered to assist her. Instead, he sexually assaulted her and left her alone at the side of the freeway. Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to Patrol Operations responded and immediately rendered aid to the victim and initiated the search for the suspect. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Sex Crimes Bureau met with the victim at the hospital and began an immediate investigation of the crime. Investigators analyzed evidence left at the scene and information provided by the victim. Within a couple of days of the assault, investigators identified a person of interest. After a brief surveillance and additional evaluation of evidence, the team wrote a search warrant for the suspect’s vehicle and residence.  

During the evening hours of Tuesday, December 11th, a mere three days after the horrendous assault, Sheriff’s Investigators introduced themselves to San Juan Capistrano resident Alejandro Leyva and arrested him for the I-5 rape. Investigators forwarded to Sheriff’s Forensic Science Services a sample of Leyva’s DNA. Within 36 hours, the Forensics experts were successful in matching Leyva’s DNA to evidence found at the crime scene.    

On Thursday, December 13, 2007, the case was submitted to the District Attorney’s office for consideration.  Upon review, the DA initially filed 6 felony counts against Leyva.  Additional charges may be filed later and Leyva could be facing life imprisonment for this assault.  

The early identification and arrest of Alejandro Leyva for this horrific crime is yet another example of the incredible work performed by the Sheriff’s Sex Crimes Bureau, Forensics Science Services and other members of this department on a daily basis. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim of this senseless act, and our appreciation and thanks are offered to all of those professionals who have worked and continue to work on this case.

Santa has Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to lead his sleigh but the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade relies on “Big Red.”

“Big Red” is the nickname the Department Harbor Patrol gave its largest fireboat, a 35-foot long, Seaway that is painted fire engine red and officially designated No. 1976.

To prepare for the parade, the Harbor Patrol decorates the vessel with colorful holiday lights, including a pair of leaping illuminated dolphins on the starboard.

Deputy William Nelson will be at the helm of Big Red as he has been during the parade for five years.

“I had 12-years in Harbor Patrol when I was picked, I know all the trouble spots in the harbor,” said Nelson.

“I’m not the only deputy who could lead the parade, any of our Harbor Patrol deputies could do it but I think it’s an honor that I’m selected,” he said. More...

Christian Berthelsen (CB) versus Peggy Lowe (PL):

Paragraph 1:

CB: Although he has taken a 60-day leave of absence, Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona technically remains in office and can continue drawing his salary, Orange County's top lawyer told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. 

PL: It’s perfectly legal for Sheriff Mike Carona to take a 60-day paid leave and the Board of Supervisors can do nothing about it, the county’s attorney said Tuesday.

Paragraph 2: 

CB: The report from County Counsel Benjamin P. de Mayo was intended to resolve questions about who is legally in charge of the department during Carona's leave. The sheriff, his wife and a former mistress were indicted in a public corruption case in October.

PL: Carona, who faces federal charges of public corruption and witness tampering, will continue to receive his nearly $200,000 annual salary even while taking what his top aides liken to “sick leave.”

Paragraph 3:

CB: The report concluded that Carona can continue to hold the title of sheriff and is free to delegate responsibilities for the department's day-to-day operations to subordinates. Those duties have fallen to Undersheriff Jo Ann Galisky, although the report concluded she was not the acting sheriff because there is no provision in the law for such a title.

PL: County Counsel Ben de Mayo reported to the Orange County Board of Supervisors Tuesday as the board struggles to respond to the wide-ranging charges federal prosecutors have leveled against Carona, his wife and his alleged mistress.

Paragraph 4:

CB: The only conditions under which Carona could no longer be deemed sheriff would be if he ceased to perform his duties for three consecutive months, were convicted of a felony, were recalled by voters or removed from office through a legal prosecution.

PL: The board has no recourse for the removal of Carona – unless he vacates his office for 90 consecutive days, de Mayo said. Supervisors also have no power to suspend Carona’s salary since the leave is voluntary and he technically holds the office of sheriff, de Mayo said.

From the City of Lake Forest:

First Responders Appreciation Day  

Please join us on December 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Heroes Park (25420 Jeronimo Road) to honor the emergency personnel who responded to the Santiago Fire. The day will include an appreciation ceremony recognizing the American Red Cross, California Highway Patrol, Orange County Animal Care Services, Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The event will also feature music, games, bounces houses, beverages, chips and hamburgers. All entertainment, food and beverages will be provided at no charge by the City of Lake Forest. For more information, please call 461-3450.

Orange County Register's Sean Emery interviews Sheriff's Chaplain Rick Yeomans. He writes:

"From the 9/11 attacks in New York and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans to the devastating fires in Orange County's canyon communities, Pastor Rick Yeomans is a constant presence during times of need.

A veteran of disaster response efforts from more than a decade of experience as a senior chaplain in the Orange County Sheriff's Department and member of the Red Cross Critical Response Team, Yeomans, a San Juan resident, formed Emergency Ministry Services earlier this year. Yeomans recently helped pull together volunteers from the South County church community to assist with cleanup efforts in the canyons..."

For the record, Sheriff's Chaplains are unpaid and they work under the Community Services Division, which also comprises our Professional Services Civilian Responders (PSR's) and Sheriff's Reserves. Read the entire interview right here.

This morning SSO Juan Villegas was recognized and received the BOS Volunteer Recognition Award from Chairman Chris Norby for his work with Short Stop. We wrote about his work right here.

On December 6, 2007, at approximately 4:00 p.m., 8 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs and 11 Professional Services Civilian Responders (PSR’s) from the Search and Rescue Reserve Unit responded to Irvine Regional Park to assist with the evacuations of the canyon areas. Additionally, 4 Reserve Deputy Sheriffs from the Operations Reserve Unit assisted with extra patrols and security at the command post. 

These sworn and non-sworn volunteer personnel left their regular jobs early, on short notice, to volunteer their time to the community via the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. They worked side by side with the paid investigators and deputies for this mission. The Search and Rescue Humvee and other specialized off road vehicles assigned to the Community Services Division were also utilized to assist in the evacuation effort.  

All those who responded to and or coordinated this effort served to make the community safer. Most will get a paycheck for their efforts. The Reserve Deputies and PSR’s served for free. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated volunteer force for these types of emergencies. They are ready, willing and able to respond again if needed this weekend or in the future.

Traffic Safety Programs Coordinator Will Funk discusses traveling safely during the Holidays right here.  

Investigator Jason Bogosian discusses shopping during the Holidays right here.

Mari Frank is host of Privacy Piracy on KUCI's 88.9. She also presents Orange County Sheriff's Departments Tips & Safety.

You will need iTunes to listen to these podcasts. You can download it here.

Investigator Steve Taylor, 50, who became an institution in the City of Villa Park where he worked patrol and as a motor officer for many years, died at his home on Saturday of natural causes. 

Steve Taylor joined the Department in 1986 and worked in the Central Jail and in patrol in Midway City and Villa Park. He was promoted to investigator last year and assigned to work general crimes in the City of Stanton. 

“The two highpoints of his career were working as a motor officer and working as an investigator,” said his longtime friend Sheriff’s Lt. Steve Kea. “He worked as a motor officer because he loved to ride motorcycles. He always wanted the opportunity to work as an investigator. He liked the work, the challenge of solving a crime and bringing those responsible through the court system.” More...

Rich Atkinson was not cut out to be a street cop but he felt an unmistakable draw to law enforcement. 

 “I wasn’t ready to be a police officer when I was in my 20s,” said Atkinson. He served as a police officer in Los Angeles County for just two years. “I needed to get my stuff together. I went to church to get there. I started hanging around with friends who were police officers, who knew the Lord.  As I matured in my relationship with God, I realized that I was meant to be a law enforcement chaplain, not an officer, and I could not be happier in my calling.” 

It was a path that took Atkinson to Cops for Christ, where he received his ordination as a minister in 1987. In July 2000 Atkinson was accepted in the Orange County Sheriff’s Departments Chaplain Program.  He began his ministry to the Department in San Clemente being promoted to Senior Chaplain.  Currently he now serves as an Assistant Chief Senior Chaplain working with deputies in Mission Viejo as well as coordinating training for Patrol Chaplains and the Professional Service Responders assigned to the Chaplain’s unit.

This week Atkinson was named as the first recipient of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department “Chaplain of the Year” award.  “It was a tough decision, there were a number of chaplains who deserved the honor,” said Chief Senior Chaplain Sandy Otsuji. We gave it to him because of the 1,600 volunteer hours he has put into participating and promoting our Program so far.this year alone.

The chaplain program was initially part of the San Clemente Police Department and it was brought into the sheriff’s department when the two agencies merged in July 1993. Since the beginning, the Chaplain Program has grown to 29 members serving employees of all divisions within the Department, including the Coroner’s Office.  Otsuji and Atkinson look forward to recruiting more local ministers and clergy from all faiths throughout Orange County.  

Chaplain Atkinson said he was deeply touched by the selection. 

“I’m humbled and proud and appreciative. It’s an honor that my collegues would recognize the effort I put forth to enhance the program within the Department,” said Atkinson, who is also the volunteer Vice-President of the Southern California Chaplain Association based out of Tustin.  More...

This case, as with any case filed against the Sheriff's Department, garnered front page headlines when it was filed. Yesterday, the jury decided, "An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy did not wrongfully shoot and kill a potential third-striker," as reported today IN the Orange County Register, on page 1 of the Local section.

Seems it's no longer front page news.

"I'm grateful to the jury for their consideration of this matter," said Undersheriff Galisky. "I was always confident that we would prevail when a thorough review of the evidence was presented in court. Since that tragic split-second decision, many individuals have second-guessed his actions, yet Sgt. Balicki has continued to perform his duties admirably."

By last evening, the story wasn't even on the front page of the Register website. The lead is below: 

Deputy didn't wrongfully kill man, jury decides

Family of man shot and killed by now-Sgt. Joseph Balicki sued over death, alleging officer's actions were criminal.

SANTA ANA – An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy did not wrongfully shoot and kill a potential third-striker, a federal jury voted Thursday, declining to give the man’s family any damages for the officer-involved shooting.

The unanimous decision clears now-Sgt. Joe Balicki – as well as the county and the Sheriff’s Department – of financial liability in the April 16, 2003 death of Roberto Peralez in Stanton.

Peralez was driving toward Balicki when the deputy fired the fatal three shots through the van’s windshield. Before the shooting, Peralez didn’t obey deputies’ commands to surrender. Balicki testified he feared Peralez was going to run him over.

“I never intended to take that man’s life and was forced into it,’’ said Balicki, a 20-year department veteran. “It’s a very unfortunate case, and a tragic situation for the family … The verdict makes clear the job I do is supported by citizens.”

Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Balicki.

Finally, for the record, over the course of Sergeant Balicki's career, he has received two Medals of Courage as well as numerous commendations from citizens and other law enforcement agencies.

For all press releases related to this event, please click here. 

PRESS RELEASE # 7
Time:  1200
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER DEACTIVATED

As of 12:00 p.m. the Orange County Emergency Operations Center has been deactivated. At this time all evacuation orders have been lifted and the emergency shelter at El Modena High School has been closed. The Orange County Emergency Hotline has also been deactivated.

Residents returning to their homes should travel with caution as roads are still slick and could contain debris.

With heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday evening, Orange County Emergency Services will continue to monitor the situation and alert residents should the rain dictate future evacuations over the weekend. Please monitor your local news and weather service reports for the current weather information and any updates concerning evacuations.

For all press releases related to this event, please click here.

PRESS RELEASE # 6
Time:  1115
SHELTER LOCATION CLOSURE

The shelter location at El Modena High School (3920 Spring St., Orange, CA) is now closed.

As of 10:30 a.m. the Mandatory Evacuations for Modjeska Canyon, Williams Canyon and Silverado Canyon have been lifted.  Residents returning to their homes should travel with caution as roads are still slick and could contain debris.

With heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday evening, the Orange County Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the situation and alert residents should the rain dictate future evacuations over the weekend. Please monitor your local news and weather service reports for the current weather information and any updates concerning evacuations.

If you have an emergency, please call 911.

PRESS RELEASE # 5
Time:  1030
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS LIFTED

As of 10:30 a.m. the Mandatory Evacuations for Modjeska Canyon, Williams Canyon and Silverado Canyon have been lifted.  Residents returning to their homes should travel with caution as roads are still slick and could contain debris.

With heavy rain in the forecast for Saturday evening, the Orange County Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the situation and alert residents should the rain dictate future evacuations over the weekend. Please monitor your local news and weather service reports for the current weather information and any updates concerning evacuations.

If you have questions you can call the Orange County hotline at (714) 628-7085.

If you have an emergency, please call 911.

Friday morning, between 6 and 8 AM, Undersheriff Galisky sits down for an interview with Pete Weitzner on Daybreak OC. See the Undersheriff all decked out in her Holiday best -- she's wearing green for the season!

Check it out by clicking here and choosing your cable provider.

Here's a map with current evacuation information: View Larger Map 

PRESS RELEASE # 3
Time:  1445
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS FOR CANYON RESIDENTS

Mandatory evacuations are ordered for residents living in the areas of Modjeska Canyon, Williams Canyon and Silverado Canyon beginning at 5:00 p.m.  Residents will have access to their homes to retrieve necessary items and pets until approximately 8:00 p.m.  At 8:00 p.m. access to the Canyons will be restricted.

Residents will not be forced to leave their homes, however, anyone choosing not to evacuate does so at their own risk.

An evacuation center has been set up at El Modena High School, located at 3920 East Spring Street in Orange.

If you have questions please call the Orange County hotline at 714-628-7085.

If you have an emergency please call 911.

For a complete update and all press releases please click here.