The Orange County Law Enforcement Explorer Advisor Association (OCLEEAA) sponsored the 2008 Summer Explorer Academy at the Camp Pendleton Marine Base, from August 17th through August 21st. The Explorer Academy simulates an abbreviated basic law enforcement academy. 139 Explorers, from throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties, began the academy and 114 successfully graduated! Orange County Sheriff’s Department Explorer Post 449 was strongly represented and proudly saw 18 Explorers graduate at the OCSD Regional Training Facility, on August 21st. Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson, Captain Brian Wilkerson, Lieutenant Tom Slayton, Post Coordinator Deputy Gary M. Smith, several Post 449 Advisors and many OCSD Explorers were present at the graduation.
We would like to congratulate the following Explorers from Post 449 for a very impressive showing in special awards:
Best Overall Explorer Male Physical Agility
Sean Taylor – 2nd Place Sean Taylor – 1st Place
William Pereza – 4th Place William Pereza – 3rd Place
Nick Lontajo - 5th Place
Academics Best Notebook
Robert Steiner – 1st Place Nick Lontajo – 1st Place
Kavon Harvey – 3rd Place
Adam Hack – 4th Place
We would like to recognize the following Sheriff’s Explorers for completing the 2008 OCLEEA Explorer Summer Academy:
Gabriel Hutchinson (West) Sean Taylor (West)
Robert Steiner (Harbor) Brittany Naylor (Harbor)
Blake Williams (Rancho Santa Margarita) Travis Leahy (Lake Forest)
Jonathon Kennedy (Lake Forest) Jeremiah Kennedy (Lake Forest)
Michael Ray Garcia (Lake Forest) Kavon Harvey (Lake Forest)
Adam Hack (North) Jared Brittain (North)
Manaen Robles (North) Willian Pereza (North)
Nick Lontajo (North) Ismael Lopez (North)
Brian Hirst (Tri-cities) Robin Barr (Tri-cities)
Jose Gomez (Tri-cities)
Explorer Post 449 would like to thank Deputy Sherri Gilman (South Operations – San Clemente Police Services), Deputy Gregg Surrell (Lamoreaux Justice Center), and Deputy Bart Epley (CJX) who mentored, trained and monitored in their role as Explorer Academy Tactical Officers. Explorers John Leahy and Jackie LaBarbera did an outstanding job in assisting the Tactical Staff.
Explorer Post 449 would like to thank the following Sheriff’s personnel for their assistance with staffing, funding, transportation, training and equipment needed for the Academy:
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens
Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson – Professional Services Command
Captain Brian Wilkerson – Community Services Division
Captain Robert Eason – North Operations
Captain Mark Billings – Academy Commander
Lieutenant Tom Slayton – Director of Explorer Post 449
Lieutenant Hans Strand, Sergeant Steve Gil, Deputy D. Meyer, Deputy S. Seamon
Deputy C. Dawson, SSO’s C. Soto, Ken Blazer & CST D. Lucero - Transportation Bureau
PSR Jeff Schloam
FMF Mark Lee
Jan Sener- San Clemente Police Services
Office Supervisor Karen Waters – Community Services Division
Office Specialist Cathy Paneque – Community Services Division