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.