U.S. Representative Gary G. Miller has presented Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services Sergeant Matthew Barr and Deputies Jack Ackerman, Jason Finley and Richard Oates with a “Certificate of Congressional Recognition” in honor of their outstanding service to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The certificate read in part: “Your effort to serve and protect the community provides a vital public service. The hard work and dedication that you exhibit is an invaluable asset to public safety. Thank you for your law enforcement service.”
The award stems from a private meeting that Congressman Miller, who represents the 42nd Congressional District, was to have at a local cable television facility.Word of the meeting was leaked on the Internet and several advocacy groups geared up to use the meeting to further their causes and possibly draw far more people and protestors to the event than the facility could accommodate.
The deputies worked closely with Lieutenant Bill Griffin, Sergeant Lisa Von Nordheim and Investigator Robert Taft to ensure that the event took place peacefully and without interfering with public access to the facility. Those individuals were also commended by Congressman Miller.The Department strives to protect the First Amendment Rights of all and in this case Department personnel were able to successfully balance that responsibility and allow all concerns and issues to be expressed peacefully.