At least 14-members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department traveled to Oakland last week for the funeral of four Oakland Police Officers killed in the line of duty.

Some of those who attended included Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Assistant Sheriff Michael Hillmann, Sergeant Roger Dawes of Lake Forest Police Services, SWAT Sergeants Mike Peters and Wayne Rehnelt and Sheriff’s Special Officer Andrew Ha, of the James Musick Facility. SSO Ha went on his own time and at his own expense.

“It was definitely an honor to represent the Orange County Sheriff's Department at the funeral for the Oakland Officers,” said Motor Deputy Thom Spratt, of San Juan Capistrano Police Services. “We were very proud to be there in support of the families, friends, co-workers, and citizens of Oakland Police Department.  We motors, Sergeant Bill McGovern, Deputies Robert Garcia, Gary Shields, Jason Perez, Rickey Rosal, Brian Hagerman, and Brad Blakely, were further honored by being allowed to be in the precession to escort each officer to his place of internment. We continued on to Tracy, about 60 miles east of Oakland.”

Photos by SSO Andrew Ha

No extra expenses were incurred by the Department.

The motor officers rode their motorcycles over 1,000 miles on the mission to Oakland and back. They were accompanied by their supervisor, Sergeant William McGovern, who drove a passenger van in support. Along the way the motor officers rode in formation and were joined by five LAPD Motors, two Tustin Gang Units, and one San Diego Harbor Police Unit.

Sergeant McGovern said of the trip on Thursday, “At each stop along the way, our Motor Deputies fielded questions from the public who were curious about our mission. The public would often ask for pictures with the motorcycles and the Motor Deputies, and they asked them to pass along their sympathies and well-wishess to Oakland PD and to the families of the slain officers. At 1800 hours our Motor Deputies arrived safely and without incident to the City of Emeryville, where they lodged at the Courtyard by Marriott. The City of Emeryville Fire Department allowed our Motor Deputies to safely secure their motorcycles at Fire Station #2. The Orange County caravan of 26 vehicles and 60 officers arrived safely at the same hotel at 2200 hours.” More...

Paula Hansell, who faces a high-risk liver operation, harbored a long time desire to see a real Bloodhound in action. Mrs. Hansell, a fan of the Virginia Lanier series of Bloodhound themed crime novels, got to see the Sheriff's Department's most highly acclaimed Bloodhound, Taffy. Taffy, handled by Reserve Lieutenant Doug Williams, was recognized this year as the Search and Rescue Dog of the Year by the American Kennel Club.  

To read the Orange County Registers story on the meeting of Taffy and Paula Hansell, click here.

KCAL News Reporter Dave Lopez had this report on the event:

To take a look at the latest newsletter of the California Emergency Management Agency Search and Rescue Canine Mutal Aid click: 2009 March Newsletter.pdf (709.19 kb)

Some parents may figure there are so many dangers on the Internet that it is no place for their children.

The trouble with that belief is that teenagers are typically more computer savvy than their parents and the youngsters may go on the Internet without the knowledge of Mom or Dad.

There is an alternative to a total ban on use of the Internet or unfettered access.

The alternative is called NetSmart.

That is one of the key messages delivered to parents in presentations made regularly at local schools by the Orange County Sheriff’s Deparments Hi-Tech Reserves.  

The team of Reserve Sergeant James Ellis , Reserve Deputy Josh Money, Reserve Deputy Brian Lettieri and Professional Services Civilian Responders John Carlyle and Lloyd Bumanglag are committed to protecting youngsters from the dangers of the Internet.

They teach that the Internet is a place where unsupervised youngsters may find trouble from:

Sexual Predators

Cyber bullies

Identify Theft

Hackers

Piracy

Social Networks 

The team is a busy bunch. This month they scheduled five presentations to parents at five different schools to parents as part of their volunteered time to the Department.

They talk about such Internet sites as MySpace, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Craig’s List. The team also covers concerns with online gaming. More...

A lawsuit against the Department in the February 2006 incident at a Mission Viejo home resulted in jury finding in favor of the Department and the Deputies.

The Orange County Register reported on the case that:

Friday, March 27, 2009
Deputies not at fault in shooting where man lost an eye

Deputies did not use excessive force on Michael Momeni, who lost his left eye after being shot at with a bean bag gun.

By RACHANEE SRISAVASDI
The Orange County Register

SANTA ANA An Orange County jury sided with the Sheriff's Department today, determining that deputies did not commit battery against a man who lost his left eye during a 2006 altercation.

Michael Momeni, 24, had filed a civil rights lawsuit in November 2006, alleging deputies used excessive force and shot him unprovoked with a bean-bag gun on Feb. 27, 2006 at his then-Mission Viejo home.

Deputies had responded to Momeni's residence after Momeni's then-girlfriend called police and said he was suicidal, Momemi's attorney, Gary Casselman, said.

Momeni was intoxicated, and did not surrender to authorities. A deputy ended up shooting him with a bean-bag gun at close range in a bathroom at the home.

To read the Orange County Register article on the case click here.

From the San Jose Mercury News

Funeral today for slain Oakland police officers

Law enforcement officers from all 50 states and a handful of foreign countries poured into the Oracle Arena today for the funeral of the four officers killed in related shooting incidents Saturday.

Killed Saturday were Sgts. Mark Dunakin, 40, of Tracy; Erv Romans, 43, of Danville; and Daniel Sakai, 35, of Castro Valley. Officer John Hege, 41, of Concord, was shot Saturday and declared brain-dead Sunday. He was taken off life support late Monday.

Photo by the San Francisco Chronicle

Their killer was Lovelle Mixon, 26, of Oakland, an at-large parolee shot dead by police after he fired on officers who stormed an apartment where he was hiding.

The speakers included Acting Police Chief Howard Jordan, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, Gov. Arnold Schwartzenegger state Attorney General Jerry Brown, and family and friends of the officers. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is scheduled to meet privately with the families before the 11 a.m. service, police said.

Funeral processions began 8 a.m. from the cities where the officers lived.

For news coverage of the funeral by the San Jose Mercury News click here.

For the Oakland Police Association's Website Memorial to the Fallen  Officers click here.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and a dozen members of the Department will be traveling to Northern California on Friday for the funeral of four Oakland Police Department Officers killed in the line of duty last weekend.

The Department will honor: Motor Officer Sergeant Mark Dunakin, 40, and Motor Officer John Hege, 41, and SWAT team members, Sergeant Erv Romans , 43, and Sergeant Dan Sakai, 35. A parolee at large shot the two motor officers after a traffic stop and later shot the two SWAT team members before he was killed by Oakland police officers. 

“The tragic events in Oakland impact law enforcement around the nation,” Sheriff Hutchens said. “While we cannot change what happened last weekend, we can ensure that the families of the fallen officers, the Oakland Police Department and the residents they serve know that we are all there to offer support and prayers.”   

Those attending the funeral will include Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and Assistant Sheriff Michael Hillmann. They will be taking a commercial flight at their own expense.

Sergeant William McGovern, City of Mission Viejo Police Services, will drive a rented van to support seven motor officers who will ride their motorcycles to the ceremony. The seven motor officers going to the funeral are Deputies Brad Blakely and Robert Garcia, Mission Viejo Police Services;  Deputy Rick Rosal, Laguna Niguel Police Services; Deputy Jason Perez, Lake Forest Police Services; Deputy Thom Spratt, San Juan Capistrano Police Services; Deputy Gary Shields, Stanton Police Services; and Deputy Brian Hagerman; San Clemente Police Services.

Sergeant Roger Dawes of Lake Forest Police Services will drive a Supervisor’s Vehicle in an Orange County Law Enforcement convoy going to the funeral. Food and lodging will be provided at no cost to taxpayers. Additionally, no overtime will be accrued.

The Department SWAT team will send Sergeants Mike Peters and Wayne Rehnelt. They will be transported to the funeral by Aero-Squadron Pilot Tim Reynolds, a Professional Services Civilian Responder.  PSR Reynolds will use his own aircraft at no cost to the county.

The woman, aged 55 to 65, died of natural causes but has yet to be identified. She was found in Buena Park on October 24, 2008.

For more information and sketch of the woman click: OCSD_Press_Release_2009-03-25.pdf (206.46 kb)

Deputy Rafiq Nabi was offduty when he saw suspicious activity, took action and stopped a robbery in progress.   

Here is an account of the incident written by Sergeant Alan Hanson: 

On Wednesday March 18, 2009 at approximately 1715 hours Deputy Rafiq Nabi demonstrated the pride and professionalism of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department by placing himself in harms way to stop a robbery in progress.  On the above date and time Deputy Nabi was driving home from work in his personal vehicle near the intersection of Brookhurst and Westminster in Garden Grove.  Deputy Nabi saw two male Hispanics standing near a bicycle arguing with one another on the sidewalk .  He initially thought the two knew each other and was about to drive away when he saw one of the males start to punch the other male and attempt to take the bicycle away from him.  The male with the bicycle tried to roll the bicycle away while the second male was still punching him and trying to take the bicycle.  Deputy Nabi realized that in fact he was witnessing a robbery and decided to act.  Deputy Nabi exited his vehicle, identified himself as a deputy sheriff while displaying his badge, and ordered the suspect at gunpoint to lay on the ground.  The suspect complied.  Bystanders called 911 while Deputy Nabi held the suspect at gunpoint until Garden Grove Police Department arrived and took the suspect into custody. 

Deptuy Nabi displayed the attributes that should always be associated with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  He acted boldly and courageously when faced with a potentially dangerous situation.  He did not hesitate, he saw a person that needed assistance and took action.  Due to his training, instincts, and good common sense he was able to take the suspect into custody while preventing injury to the victim.  Deputy Nabi should be commended for a job well done.

Graffiti Tracking Program Reduces Costs, Solves Cases

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department conducted a survey last year to estimate the annual graffiti removal expenses incurred by Orange County communities, and the figure exceeded $5 million.

In response, the department worked with its law enforcement contract partners to create a system that would address their individual needs. Together with the Orange County Transportation Authority and the cities of Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Stanton and Villa Park, existing shortcomings were identified and the team began to develop a tracking system to serve as a clearinghouse for graffiti-related regional crimes.

By September of 2008, the Tracking Automated Graffiti Reporting System (TAGRS) was introduced to enable law enforcement and public works agencies throughout the state to accurately capture and share incidents of graffiti. The program allows personnel to quickly gather and input graffiti data from out in the field using smart phones with custom-designed applications and global positioning systems.

When graffiti is initially found, a photograph of the vandalism is taken on the employee’s smart phone. He or she then enters the type, location, size, labor and material costs, which are sent wirelessly to the public works graffiti portal with a copy to law enforcement. The reviewing officer has the capability to conduct various field searches for suspect names, monikers, associates and geographical trends. Such features save countless investigative and administrative hours.

“In the past, I typically expended approximately 40 hours investigating a single graffiti incident,” said Deputy David Beeler with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “Since the inception of TAGRS, we have experienced a 20 percent increase in cases cleared and a graffiti removal cost reduction of $50,000. Agencies using the system have also reported a 90 percent reduction in related administrative project time.”

The City of Lake Forest’s Police Services division has made 35 arrests and cleared 87 vandalism cases after implementing TAGRS. As of November 2008, graffiti cleanup costs were lowered by 70 percent with a projected annual cost savings of $85,000.

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“Yesterday was a sad day for Oakland and all law enforcement. On behalf of the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, I send our deepest condolences to the officers’ families and friends, the Oakland Police Department, and the residents they serve. They will remain in our thoughts and prayers. “ – Sheriff Sandra Hutchens

Early Sunday morning, Sheriff Hutchens authorized Department personnel to wear black bands on their badges until the slain officers have been laid to rest.

Today the Department ordered all flags at Department facilities at half-mast in honor of the Oakland Police Officers killed in the line of duty.

To read today's Los Angeles Times story on the shooting click here.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently issued a press release about the importance of Regional Fusion Centers to national security.  

To read the FBI's latest press statement on "FUSION CENTERS; Unifying Intelligence to Protect Americans" click here.

To read an earlier story about the OCIAC on Department Blog click here: 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department participates in this program through the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center, based at Loma Ridge.  Several members of the OCIAC recently took part the National Fusion Center Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.  Here is some of the information they brought back:

During 10 – 12 March 2009, several members of the OCIAC attended the National Fusion Center Conference in Kansas City, Mo.  This training conference was hosted and funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and offered a wide variety of training sessions. 

A nationwide perspective on the Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative (SAR) provided an overview of the nationwide effort to promote the sharing of terrorism-related information at all levels of government.  Panelists focused on identifying their agencies’ roles within the Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative, and illustrated how federal partners are working together with state and local agencies to make the gathering, documenting, processing, analyzing, and sharing of terrorism-related information better. It also provided a clearer understanding of the federal agencies’ role and responsibilities within the Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative, and its ability to incorporate local agencies’ individual SAR processes into a nationwide capability to share terrorism-related SAR information.  More...

This statement was released by Sheriff Sandra Hutchens this morning:

Although at this hour the depth of the tragedy in Oakland, California is unclear, it is apparent that an incident occurred which resulted in the deaths of Oakland police officers. In response to that information and in memory of those officers, the wearing of black bands on the badges of OCSD personnel is authorized until such time as those officers are laid to rest.  

Please keep the members of the Oakland Police Department and the families of these fallen officers in your thoughts.

To read the Los Angeles Times report on the shootings, click here.

The team results of the Baker 2 Vegas Race are in now. The Orange County Sheriff's Department field teams in Open, Women's and Mixed Invitational. Our teams were #15, #65, #193 and #242(Forensics). 

The Department's Womens Team took first place honors in 2008 and this year ran a close second in the race, with 10 teams in the field.

To view the results click: FinishCategory.pdf (72.09 kb)

Exact numbers aside, the Department had a large turnout for Wednesday’s visit by President Barack Obama to the Orange County Fairgrounds.

The detail, under the command of Captain Brian Wilkerson, was ready for any contingency but for those attending the event all they saw were some deputies standing by to help out if needed.  Part of the detail had been at the Fairgrounds almost around the clock since word came in on Sunday that the President was expected.

The Secret Service was the lead agency for the President’s security but the Sheriff’s Department had responsibility for the Fairgrounds and was ready to back up the Secret Service if needed. 

On the line there was only a handful of deputies in sight in case they were needed. A few vendors hawked Obama memorabilia to those on the line, a couple of thousand in number.  Volunteers unaffiliated with the Department gave those waiting advice, like their handbag was too large or that they needed to have picture identification matching the name on their ticket.

The line snaked slowly toward the security stations at the entrance to the exhibit hall where the Town Hall Meeting was to take place.  If you got on line at 1:45 p.m., it was an hour and ten minute wait in the hot sun.

Once inside the seats near the front were taken by a selected group of government and elected officials as well as invited guests who were seated up front on risers around the President’s podium.  Those in wheelchairs sat at the very front.

Those in the general public section included Orange County CEO Tom Mauk, OCEA president Nick Bernardino and Republican pollster Adam Probolsky.
Dozens of people took pictures of one another in front of the empty podium as they waited for the President to arrive.

The only real disturbance at the event came during the invocation by Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, of University Synagogue.

In the middle of it came a noise that nearly drowned out his spiritual offerings. It was the sound of the fleet of helicopters bringing the President to the Fairgrounds from Long Beach Airport.

When President Obama entered the hall that chant began.

O BAM A

O BAM A

He took to the podium and did the waves, wave to the right, wave to the left.

“Thank you, thank you,” he said. “Thank you so much.”

He introduced the elected officials and political leaders attending the Town Hall.

He then spoke for about 15-minutes, his words recorded faithfully by the scores of news reporters, print, broadcast and online. Television and still cameras rolled with every syllable the President uttered.

He talked about the nation’s financial crisis, immigration reform and the need to address the unemployment crisis; California one of the hardest hit states with a 10 percent unemployment rate.

He informed the crowed that the economic stimulus package will bring a new hospital to Camp Pendleton and 30 more police officers to the City of Hawthorne. For Orange County, tens of millions of dollars will be poured into improving the 91 Freeway.

Shedding his suit jacket, the President took questions. Hundreds of hands went up.

Camera flash devices went off constantly.

He spent about 45 minutes answering questions.

Those asking questions needed jobs and relief from creditors. There were concerns about how the country will recover and whether taxes will be fairer in the future.

Obama took each question and gave detailed answers, including many details that drew cheers from the crowd.

When he had answered his last question, he stepped down and shook hands with those he could reach. The crowd around him was denser than a New York City Subway crowd at rush hour.

You could only tell where he was by the cameras and cellphone cameras held high in the air. They formed a circle around the President. 

He circled the crowd around the podium and when he got to the exit, the chant rang out:

“One more time.”

“One more time.”

He shook hands for another minute or two and gave a wave to the crowd before he was whisked out of the hall.

A Press Release has been issued by the City of Mission Viejo commending members of the Department who will be receiving awards at the Medal of Valor Luncheon on April 9.

The release said in part:

Deputies Gary Lewellyn and Richard Olszynski will receive the Medal of Valor from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for their heroic actions while confronting a heavily armed robber at the Shops at Mission Viejo, and Deputy Mike Danciulescu will receive the Medal of Lifesaving for his efforts in helping to save a 22 year-old woman’s life. The department recognizes individuals annually for acts of valor, courage, merit and lifesaving.

To see the whole released click: mission viejo deputies honored.pdf (45.37 kb)

Confronted with murders and violent crimes committed by gang members who appeared to grow younger by the case, the Orange County Grand Jury launched a study of efforts by local law enforcement, including the Sheriff's Department, to divert youngsters from joining gangs. The Grand Jury applauded the efforts by Department personnel in Stanton, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente, as well as the Departments School Mobile Assement and Resource Team (SMART), which intercedes to prevent violence at schools, and Intake Diversion program, which offers counseling to first time offenders.

The Sheriff's Department was among numerous local agencies, including the Orange County District Attorney, probation department, Anaheim Police Department and Pio Pico Collaboration, which works with at risk youngsters in the schools, to win the grand jury's praise.

To read the report click here:

To read the Orange County Register's story on the report click here:  

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of San Diego teenager Amber Dubois drew the attention of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. A contingent of the Department's Search and Rescue Reserve Unit joined other searchers last week in trying to find the missing girl.

Here is a newscast on the search and effort to find the girl:

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has introduced a new newsletter and it shows they have some of the same concerns that we in the Department have, like deported criminals returning to the country illegally and budget constraints in an uncertain economic time.

CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate had this to say about deported criminals returning:

For many years the federal government has struggled to enforce our borders and has failed to provide state and local law enforcement with adequate compensation for the costs of housing criminal aliens who enter our country illegally and commit crimes.  Consequently, our state prisons and local jails have become revolving doors for thousands of undocumented criminals who have violated federal immigration laws.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has reviewed the fiscal and public safety implications of our previous policy of shouldering the burden and decided it is necessary to make a change. 

For the rest of his article and to view the new newsletter click here.

Deputy Peter Mach of Stanton Police Services was one of the Orange County law enforcement officers honored last week by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Deputy Mach made 103 DUI arrests in 2008.

The Department's Task Force "AVOID the 10" was also honored and Captain Brian Wilkerson, Sergeant Jerry Brittain and Deputy Wayne Howard were at the lunch to represent the task force. 

For information on "AVOID the 10" click here. 

To view the names of law enforcement officers honored for participation in "AVOID" click: GrantHonorees.pdf (67.71 kb)

Here is  a press release on the event by Department Professional Services Responder Steve Spernak.

OCSD Honored at MADD Awards for Top Individual and Department Efforts

Yorba Linda- Deputy Peter Mach of the Stanton Police Services was recognized March 12th with the coveted “Century Award’ at this years 22nd Annual Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Luncheon at the Nixon Library.

The 19 year veteran was the only Deputy among the top 24 Officers and CHP who received “Century” honors for their diligence and aggressive strategies that resulted in 100 or more DUI arrests in one year.

Deputy Mach was also ‘Auto Theft Officer of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2007 where he was ranked fourth in stolen-recoveries in OC, in addition to being named Deputy of the Year Distinguished Services Award by the AOCDS.  Mach is an FTO, Member of the Asian Gang Investigators Association since 1990 and received his first “Century’ award in 2007 by MADD OC.

In addition to the applause of some 350 Officers and Chiefs at the event, Deputy Mach received certificates of merit from California State Assemblyman Jeff Miller and Orange County Congressman John Campbell thru the efforts of Deputy Brad Blakely, the new president of the 150-member Orange County Traffic Officers Association. More...

Sheriff Hutchens announces the new S.A.F.E. Division:

Seventy-two members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department have qualified for this weekend’s Baker 2 Vegas Run. It is the 24th year that the Sheriff’s Department has participated in the run.

Last year the Department’s Women’s Team won First Place in their category.

For Blog coverage of that win click here:

For information on this year’s Department effort click here.

For information on the Baker 2 Vegas Run click here.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens is planning to be on the scene to support the team and she sent this message to the runners:

The Executive Command staff and I would like to send our best wishes to all seventy-two runners in the Baker to Vegas race this weekend. Many of your department friends and family will be out there cheering you on. We all wish you a safe and healthy race.

We also want to send a heartfelt thanks to all of the volunteers and organizers who will spend this weekend ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Baker to Vegas is a wonderful tradition and we couldn’t keep it going without you all.

Prinicpal Bob Gaebel of De Portola Elementary School in Mission Viejo got a break earlier this week when Sheriff Sandra Hutchens stepped in to serve as Principal of the Day.

The school, which 637 students and 28 teachers is part of the Saddleback Valley School District. On Wednesday, March 11, 2009 leading citizens from the area, including merchants, community leaders, city managers and city mayors joined Sheriff Hutchens by acting as principal for the day at schools throughout the district. Assistant Sheriff Mike James served as co-Principal of the Day with Sheriff Hutchens

To see the flyer for the Guest Principals click: principal for a day flyer.pdf (62.11 kb)

For information on the De Portola Elementary School click: Principal for a day.pdf (163.56 kb)