The shooting of Gynnae Ramos and the abduction of her 9-year old son Ryan Ramos pulled 50 investigators into the field, supported by uniform deputies and a wide range of non-sworn personnel.  An Amber Alert was put out for Ryan and his father Lonnie Ramos. Over the holiday weekend, I met with Gynnae and briefed her on the search for her son and her estranged husband.  While public attention was primarily focused on the kidnapping, most of our Department was busy keeping the peace at holiday parades, public BBQs and fireworks displays in virtually all of our contract cities. Harbor Patrol helped host a Newport Harbor cruise for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, where many of us spent our Friday morning.

On Saturday, I met with the Ramos family at a press conference organized by our Department Public Information Director Jim Amormino.  The family made a public plea for help finding young Ryan.  Those efforts proved effective as a tip came in that the RV in which the boy and his father were believed traveling had been left near the Mexican border.  On Sunday, word came that the boy had been dropped safely at a Mormon Church in Juárez.  Within two hours, Investigators Mario Gutierrez and Mike Starnes were on their way to Juárez, aboard a private plane owned and piloted by Department Professional Services Responder Tim Reynolds. Reserve Deputy Al Pregler served as co-pilot. The investigators worked with the U.S. Marshals and Mexican authorities to have the boy released to them. They returned the next morning and mother and son were reunited.

By Monday, July 7, we were putting the finishing touches on the investigation and returning to “normal” operation. The caliber of police work I observed over the holiday weekend makes me proud to be one of you. Thank you for your extraordinary efforts.