fso_mag_0301.pdfI M M R M
DENNIS PHELPS
END OF WATCH: MAY !O, !OO!
JOSHUA LANCASTER
ENIIF WATel: MAY fl, fill
iff:;Fresno County Federal
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The Sheriff's Foundation
for Public Safety
-n e Sheriff's Foundation for Public Safety is pleased to present the 2003 edition of the Sheriff's
Review. We would like to thank all of our Department members and the members of the community
that so graciously supported and purchased the 2002 Sheriff's Review. The procee~s from the sale of
the ads and the sales of the publication benefit the Sheriff's Foundation to meet our mission and goals to
improve the quality of life for the children and citizens of Fresno County.
This year again the Department has faced the loss of several department members both in the line of duty
as well as off duty. We are also facing a tumultuous budget year due to the state of the budget at all levels,
federal, state and local. The Department has also had to deal with the retirement of many of our"executive,
management and supervisory staff. These retirements have left a large void in our leadership roles and we
are making every effort possible to mentor and train our new leaders to take the reins and to continue to move
the Department forward and to provide excellent public safety services.
The Sheriff's Foundation for Public Safety would again like to thank the many Department members and
volunteers who assisted us in publishing the 2003 Sheriff's Review. Special thanks again to Natalie Papagni,
our student professional worker for all her hard work on this years publication. We also offer a special thanks
to Patrick O'Brien from I Bureau for enhancing the pictures and for taking the many photos you all requested
from your units and other activities.
The Sheriff's Foundation for Public Safety board of directors and staff hope that you enjoy this issue of The
Sheriff's Review.
2003 Sheriff's Review
Table of Contents
Mission, Vision and Values 3 Mounted Posse 103
Sheriff's Statement 4 Special Olympics Torch Run 104
In Memory of Dennis Phelps 6 Volunteer Luncheon 105
In Memory of Joshua Lancaster 8 Air Squadron 106
In Memoriam 12 Search & Rescue 108
Board of Supervisors 15 Boating lJnit 111
Sheriff's Foundation Staff 16 Mountaineers 112
Sheriff's Foundation Events 17 High Trails Reunion 114
Executive Staff Photos 25 Domestic Violence Team 116
Command Staff Photos 27 Fugitive WarTants 117
Supervisory Staff Photos 30 Elder Abuse 118
Gone Fishing 35 Homicide lJnit 120
Fleet Services 36 MAGEC 123
Auxifiary Staff Photos 38 Narcotics 124
Business Office Staff Photos . 39 PC 290 lJnit 126
The Sheriff's Business Office 41' Runaway Juveniles 128
Community Service Officers Photos 42 EOD 130
Honor Guard 46 Courts 132
Companion Officer Program 47 Training 134
Correctional Officers Photos 48 Dispatch Photos 136
Community Connections 54 Offender Programs Staff Photos 138
Gang Mentality 60 Office Assistants Photos 138
Jail Medical Services 66 Process Servers Photos 141
Jail Training Officers 71 Reserves 142
Special Emergency Response Team 73 Reserves Photos 143
Special Weapons and Tactics Team 74 Secretaries Photos 145
Deputy Sheriff's Photos 76 I.T Staff Photos 146
Area 1 81 I.T. Services 148
Area 2 83 Forensic Laboratory 149
Area 3 84 Explorers 156
Area 4 85 Chaplains 157
Woody Andrade Shoot 93 Fresno County Peace Officer's Association 160
Korsar 100 The Central Valley Desperadoes 161
K9 lJnit 101 The Wyllie Law, The Sheriff and The Cave 169
Mounted lJnit 102 Military Service 170
Index of Advertisers 176
'.
I
heriff's Department
Mi ssion, Vision and Valu es
Statement
Our Mission
The members of the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, in
partnership with the community, are dedicated to excellence in
the delivery of public safety services.
The Fresno County Sheriff's Department is committed to an
ongoing partnership with the community based on
communication, cooperation and trust. This partnership will
promote an environment that ensures safety and peace, while
treating all persons with respect and dignity.
• Professionalism -While leading by example, we are committed
to excellence, honor, and valor in the performance of our
duties.
• Accountability -Through communication and cooperation, we
strive to build corrlmunity confidence with sensitivity to the
diversity of all people, holding all employees to the highest
standards of professional conduct
• Integrity -Dedication to the ethical standa.rds of honesty,
humility, fairness and respect.
• Trust -Through teamwork to instill nlutual respect between
ourselves, and to promote confidence within the community.
• Commitment -To these principles, to the public, and to the
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. 2003 Sheriffs Review 3
Sheriff's Statement
/1lain, ................ Fresno County Deputy Sheriff's killed
in the line of duty at the hands of another. Heart
renching tragedies, lives ended at the start of
what should have been rewarding and fruitful careers.
Again ............... .families and a Department left behind to
search their very souls, what may be left of them,
asking, questioning, wondering, could we have done
something, anything different? And, Again, ............... Why?
Why?....... Because Deputy Sheriffs, as all Law
Enforcement, Corrections, and Public Safety Officers
KNOW, that on occasion, a price is paid for those
freedoms that our SOCiety takes too often for granted.
Our profession, each of us in law enforcement and
corrections, those who wear the uniform daily and
those who do not, have taken on the responsibility that
this job places on each of us. We are charged with
dealing with those who dare society to deal with them
in what is increaSingly becoming common ways. Each
and ever), time we step up to that reality, we are placing
oUl'selves in jeopardy. It is what we do, and most often,
most often, we are successful. Occasionally we are not.
I have been asked, "Why do you people LOVE this stupid
job SO much?"
The answer is as varied as the number of law enforcement
and corrections personnel in our department, and
hesitatingly, the only answer I can come up with is Yes,
We do LOVE it! It is a calling, a need in each of us that
so prophetically different, and yet is the same. It serves
to sustain each of us, it fulfills us each in different ways.
The camaraderie, the bonds established with fellow
officers of your own and other agencies, the
overwhelming satisfaction of ompleting a task, a
mission, an assignment, a Call for Service.
Our lost Deputies understood this, their dedication to
our department, our neighborhoods, and our
communities, gave each a presence that was rewarding
and personally fulfilling to each of them. ~nd while only
for a short time for each of them, I am convinced that
it gave them a satisfaction that completed each
professionally and personally.
I continue to ask myself, Could we be more diligent?
Could I be more diligent?
We have identified and given the tools, the training, and
the wealth of our countless years of experience to the
youth of our depal'tment. They now, like us before them,
and those before us, must make their own way in our
increaSingly violent world and while the tools, the
training, the experience, may not be enough, it is all we
have to give.
I have again concluded that this JOB often causes us to
put ourselves in harms way. It is the very nature of who
and what we are. We are society's defenders whenever
and wherever necessary. That we can not change, that
we will not change, and that we have no desire to
change.
4
She,riff Richard Pierce
2003 Sheriff's Review 5
By George Hahn, Retired Sergeant
Los Angeles Police Department
I never dreamed it would be me, my
name for all eternity, recorded here at
this hallowed place, alas, my name no
more my face. "In the line of duty," I
hear them say; my family now the
price will pay. My folded flag stained
with their tears; we only had those few
short years. The badge no longer on
my chest, I sleep now in eternal rest.
My sword I pass to those behind, and
pray they keep this thought in mind. I
never dreamed it would be me, and
with heavy heart and bended knee; I
ask for all here from the past, dear
God, let my name be the last.
(
I
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[ ,.
I
r
Appointed: October 30, 2000
End of Watch: May 20, 2002
Deputy Dennis Phelps began his career in the
early 1'980's with the Kerman Police Department
and as a Deputy Sheriff assigned to the courts.
After about 3 years, he left the Sheriff's Department to
work as a train engineer with the Burlington Northern
Railroad.
Dennis returned to the Sheriff's Depart nf in '1 99 as
areserve deputy so he could spend more tim with his
family. He became a full-time Deputy Sheriff on October
30, 2000. Dennis had completed his training in early
ay and had just begun to work on patrol alone.
Sunday May 19, 2002 at 2344 hours, Deputy Phelps
IIIInl~11 dispatch to report that he had made a traffic
Dispatchers responded that e driver of the
was wanted for two separate hootings, which
occurred earlier that night, including shots taken
astreet sweeper in a shopping cent r parking lot. It
likely lhat Deputy Phelps never heard the r port or
the suspect, Mark Volpa Jr., m; hI be anned.
Deputy Phelps didn't respond to di patch ,
pOlice officers r'esponded to the scene and found
with a critical injury to the head. His pattJol ar was
as well as, his Smith & Wesson.45 aJiber
and radio.
Phelps was transported to Clovis Community
where he was later pronounced dead.
Hollins, who was in the Auberry area when the
occurred, received minor injuries from flying
Deputy Dennis E. Phelps
Fresno County Sheriff's Deputy
glass when suspect Volpa, who was driving the stolen
patrol vehicle, shot out the drive'rs' side window of his
patrol vehicle and then fled. The stolen patrol vehicle
was later found overturned near Prather. Volpa was no
where to be found.
Aft a eeklong search in the Sierra Nevada foothills,
suspe 1M rk VolpaJr., was shot and killed by members
of the SWAT am.
On May 28, 2002 memorial services for Dennis were
held at Peoples Church with several hundr'ed law
enforcement officers, dign itaries, friends and family in
attendance. Following the service, more than 60
motorcycles and dozens of Fresno County sher'iff's,
Clovis pOlice and Fresno police patrOl vehicles led the
way to Clovis C metery. Following in the procession
wer'e several hundred-patrol vehicles from as far away
as Los Angel es, S Bernardino, San Benito, San Jose,
Riverside, and Oakland.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Dana; his children, Nicole
19 his son Kenny 14 and his parents, Brice and Mary
Phelps. Hi family described Dennis as a loving Husband
nd F ther wh as funny and had a great sense of
humor. Dennis had his pilot's license and loved to fly.
He also played drums and was a member of a band
called "Smoke". He loved spending time with his son
Kenny restoring a 1955 Chevy and snow skiing with his
daughter Nicole. Dennis loved being a Deputy Sheriff
and was dedicated to the community he served. He gave
his life dOing what he loved.
2003 Sheriff's Review 7
I give you this one thought to keep,
I am with you still, I do not sleep,
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on the snow,
I am as sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gende autumn rain
when you awaken in morning hush.
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at
night.
Do not think of me ~gone,
I am with you still in each new
dawn.
-Anonymous
Deputy Joshua Clyde Lancaster
Fresno County Sheriff's Deputy
Appointed: April 16, 2001
.;--
End of Watch: May 29, 2003
"the third time in as many years, members of the RFresno County Sheriff's Department met at the
People's Church to honor and pay our last respects
to another Fresno County Sheriff's Deputy.
On Thursday, May 29,2003, Deputy Joshua lancaster,
acting in the capacity as a Robbery/Property CI'imes
Detective, was patrolling in a rural area of the county
near Maple and Adams Avenues investigating r ie
of thefts occurring in the area.
That same night, the Sanger Police Department had
located a suspect in a kidnapping oase and Initiated a
pursuit to capture the suspect. The pursuit continued
through their city and eventually, out Into the county
Sanger P.O. pursued the susp t towards the
Intersection of Maple and Adams Av oues, Deputy
anf'!lIC'''~.. was pulling away from a sto~ sign. Hi
was broadsided on the driver's 'de by the
IUSlleC( vehicle, who's speed were estimated t 0 er
mph. Deputy lancaster was not aware that the
was occurring.
tfemale passenger in the suspect vetlicle was
The suspect sustained major injuries as a result
the collision.
lancaster was born on May 10, 1976 in
IIuIrdiDl11 California. He graduated in June of 1994
Foothill High School and received his Associate in
I Art, Administration of Justice Degree from Bakersfield
College.
Deputy lancaster began his law enforcement career as
an intern with the Fresno County District Attol'ney's
Office in June of 1998, while attending California State
University, Fresno.
In June of 19 9 t e received permanent status with the
Fresno County District Attorney's Office as an Investigative
AssJst t. He aJ 0 received his Bachelor of Science
Degree Crfminology-l w Enforcement Option from
California State University, Fresno.
On Apr il 16, 2001 he was hired as a Deputy with the
Fresno County Sheriff's Department and was currently
assigned as a Rob ery/Property Detective in the metro
area of the N rtheast Field Services Bureau.
Friends will re ember him as playful, quick witted, his
love of h,s bright orange Harley and his devotion to his
wife Heather.
Deputy lancaster is survived by his wife, Heather, of
Clovis his mother Cathy Slate of Bakersfield, his father
Clyde lancaster of Missouri, brother Jason lancaster,
sisters Docia lancaster and Chelsi Slate, and
grandparents Doris and Vernon lancaster and Ethel
Sutterfield of Bakersfield.
2003 Sheriff's Review 9
When you are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free. I
Miss me little, but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.
For this journey that we all must take,
And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the Master's plan,
A step on the road to home.
Miss me but let me go.
!ffe~o/~Y/W/W w~
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jT~fo9a&oY~~~
~o/OU/'~§~~@
~~~ ~
~fod:v~~~
OU/'~o/~
Albertson's JohnnyQuik
Aramark Krispy Kreme
Bargain Party M&WWindow
Best Tours Covering
. Boise Funeral Home Marten's Chevrolet
California Highway Ralph's
Patrol Savemart
Danny Downum Starbucks Coffee
Entenmann's Bakery Tarpey Market
Food 4 Less of Clovis Uncle Harry's Bagels
Food 4 Less ofSelma Valley Wide Distributing
Jack Frost
In Memoriam
Aaron Kilner
Aaron Michael Kilner, died on August 30, 2003 in an off duty motorcycle
accident. Deputy Sheriff Aaron Kilner started with the Sheriff's Department
on June 14, 1999. He was assigned to the Youth Services Division as a
School Resource Officer and then to the Special Investigations Division/Vice
Unit as a Detective. Aaron was a single parent and enjoyed spending most
of his time with his two daughter's Alyssa, six years old and Kayla, 5 years
old. His hobbies included basketball, motorcycle riding and hanging out
with his brothers. Aaron was proud to serve his community as a Deputy
Sheriff and Detective and also proudly served his country as a Reserve
Military Police Officer in the Army National Guard from March 1996 through
Richard Massenge
In 1967, twenty-one year old Richard Massenge joined the Fresno County
Sheriff's Jeep Rescue lJnit. He maintained continuous active status for 36
years. Richard maintained residence off of Highway 168, therefore he was
usually one of the first "Jeepers" to arrive on any mission in the Sierra's
above Auberry. He loved his ranch and devoted numerous hours with his
faithful dog riding beside him as they toured the ranch in his golf cart.
Richard's love of the outdoors was as enormous as his kind and generous
heart. He loved anything that involved being outdoors, so his hobbies
included such things as camping, fishing, hunting, and four-wheeling,
mostly fishing. Search and Rescue was his first love and passion after of
course his wife, Pam, and family. Recently, as his health was failing him,
Richard participated in a nighttime search because as he put it, "The guy's practically in my backyard." That
was the Richard we all knew, a caring, giving man of passion. He will be missed.
The Department also wishes to recognize the memory of the
following personnel.
George Madson-George worked as a Deputy in the Jail, primarily in the booking area.
Robert Smith-Robert was a constable assigned in Selma.
Henry Jesse Simpson-Jesse worked as a bailiff and Detective. He retired from the Department as a
Sergeant. Henry was the first African American Sergeant for the Sheriff's Department. Henry served as
a Tuskegee airman during WWII, flying 8-24's. sgt. Simpson passed away in September of 2003.
Dale "Pinky" Morgan-Dale started as a Records CI'erk for the Department. He worked in I. 8ureau and
was a deputy sheriff when he retired. Dale passed away while living in Oregon.
L-~t-..-..Io..-""";:;'~_IL..-.;..Lo;io_....J November 1998.
12
Tom Barile
Tom ser'Ved as a volunteer on the Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Search & Rescue Team for 18 years. He was Commander of the
Snowmobile Team and also a member of the Mountaineering Team. He was
responsible for training the SAR deputies and volunteers in snowmobile
use and techniques for searches and rescues. Tom wrote the curriculum
and scenarios for the Annual Winter SAR. Tom sel'Ved as liaison between
the SAR Team and the U S Forest Sel'Vice. Tom participated in the Hug-A
Tree children's safety program sponsored"'-by the SAR Team. ' Tom's
knowledge of the OHV grant process assisted the Sheriff's Department to
seek out funding sources available for the purchase of snowmobiles, ATVs
and other equipment to aide in searches. Tom served in the U.S. Air Force
receiving an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant Tom worked for 31
years as an educator with the Madera Unified School District. Tom 1oI.......A~=
generously volunteered his time, energy and a variety of talents which touched the lives of so many people;
he was Vice-President/Historian and a founder of the Huntington Lake Big Creek Kistorical Consel'Vancy,
Chairman Fresno County Resource Advisory Committee, Chairman SierraNevada Access, Multiple-Use &
Stewardship Coalition (SAMS), past President Sierra Snowmobile Association, founding board Huntington
Lake Volunteer Fire Department, winter patroller U S For'est Ser'Vice. Tom sUl'Vived by his wife of 37 years,
Maureen, sons, Paul and David, and grandsons Thomas, Krist jan and Matthew
Mark Johnson Joshua Lancaster
Mark Johnson died on August 8, 2003 from a Joshua Lancaster was killed on May 29,2003,
sudden heart attack. Correctional Officer IV in an on duty vehicle accident while he was
Johnson started with the Department on July 23, investigating a series of thefts near Maple and
1990 and was assigned to the Detention Custody Adams Avenues. Deputy Lancaster started with
Bureau. Mark wHI always be remembered by the Sheriff's Department on April 16, 2001 and
those who knew him as a caring, generous was assigned as a Robbery jProperty Detective
person with a great since of humor. in the metro area of the Northeast Field Services
Bureau.
You've uot our backs.
We'll cover Jour leet.
I
Metro Uniform
1050 N. Fulton
Fresno CA, 93728
(559 )264-7770
(559 )497 -6453
DANNER.COM
Fresno County Board of
Supervisors
Bart Bohn, Administrative Officer; Bob Waterston, District 5; Judith Case, Dis
trict 4; Juan Arambula, District 3; Susan Anderson, District 2; Phil Larson,
District 1
Celebrity referee Juan Arambula at the 2003
charity basketball game with the 'Court
Enforcers" taking on the 'Harlem Ambassadors".
2003 Sheriff's Review 15
Sheriff's Foun1dation for
Public Safety
T:e Sheriff's Foundation for Public Safety has had a pl'osperous and
I eventful year in both our fundraising events and by offering sponsorship
for other non-profit organizations and their events. Please enjoy the
pictures of our year in revieW. We would also like to thank our many
gracious sponsors and volunteers who assisted us throughout the year.
Foundation Staff
Back row: Brandy Duncan, Sergeant Susan Watkins, Beatrice Santellan.
Front row: Captain Doug Papagni, Natalie Papagni, Lieutenant Susan Leonardo,
CSO Addie Delgadillo, CSO Milton Vann.
Sheriff's Foundation for Public Safety
Board of Directors
Sheriff Richard Pierce-Chairman
Captain Donald Burk-Vice Chairman
Captain Thomas GaUie-Secretary
Captain Doug Papagni-Treasurer
Captain Jose Flores
Captain Roger Greening
Captain Jeff Hollis
Captain Michael Leonardo
Captain Ron Wiley
G
A
T
F
H
16
D.A.R.E to be G.R.E.A.T
Youth Summer Camp
We celebrated our 9th year' sponsoring Camp D.A.R.E.
Almost 300 fifth and sixth graders fl'om Fresno County
Schools were able to attend camp at no expense to them
or their families. The Camp is funded by sponsorships and money
I'aise.d-fl'Om the golf tourrmment, grants, and other fund raising
activities sponsored by the Foundation. This yeaI' we received a
$15,000 grant from the San Francisco Giants due to the efforts
of Lt.Colleen Mestas.
Camp D.A.R.E. builds on the ciJrriculum
taught throughout the school year, which
encourages the kids 0 stay off drugs, stay
in school, stay away from gangs and helps to
promote their self-esteem. The children ar'e
selected to attend camp by the schoolr'esoul'ce
officel's.
Camp Sponsors
rancisco Giants, David & Sons, Kraft Foods,
Trail Fruit Stand, Jack Frost Ice, Me-N
s Pizza -Sanger, California Pistachio
ssion, Almond Boar'd of California, Fresno
Fal'm BUI'eau, Juniol' League of Fresno,
Eleven-Clovis Ave, Siel'l'a Summit Mountain
ess, Canteen, ENNS Pontiac-Buick & GMC,
Bertha and John Gal'abedian Charitable
Rally's
------r.-----..I
T.
CI
..... 7,~-.:...-8th Annual Camp D.A.R.E. Golf
Tournament
a 8thJune 2, 2003 the Sheriff's Foundation held the annual
amp D.A.R.E. Golf Tournament at Brighton Crest Golf and
Country Club. Lunch was furnished by our long-term supporter, Fred
Howal'd-Rally Burger. A number of contests were held at the tournament
including, Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Hole-in-One, and a Putting Contest
won by Deputy Kent Jones. Despite the HOT!!!! weather, everyone had a great
time. Funds raised at this event allowed us to send the kids from Fresno County
to Camp D.A.R.E. The 2004 tournament will be held on Friday June 4th at Fort
Washington Country Club.
Tournament Sponsors
Brighton Crest, Mono Wind, Rally's, T-Netix, Araroark, Pacific Services
Credit Union, Enns Buick Pontiac, Galls, Jack Frost Ice, Precision Plastic,
The Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation, Canteen, Sierra
Summit Mountain Awareness, and the San Francisco Giants.
2nd Annual Basketball Fundraiser
Court Enforcers vs. The Harlem Ambassadors t
\1
Sl his was our 2nd year for the annual basketball fundraiser. This Syear we incorporated a pre-game carnival with the games, treats, oand prizes for aU the children attending. This event was successful Pbecause of the many businesses, community leaders and department
Bmembers who purchased blocks of tickets and donated them back to
the at-risk youth in Fresno County. The School Resource Deputies and
CSO's selected children to attend the game at no cost. Deputies,
CQI'rectional Officers, and CSO's transported the kids to and from the
game. This year approximately 300 children were able to attend the
event because of the donations.
The team name was selected by Biola Elementary School student Sara
Lemus. Pacifica Pizza donated pizza for Sara's classroom as the prize
for selecting the team name.
The pre-game carnival was sponsored by TARGET (in Clovis). Beside
the games and activities, our specialty units from the department
came out to show their equipment, team members and animal
partners. Everyone enjoyed the event and interacting with Department
personnel.
18
The Court Enforcers Team
DI'ake Bell
Rich Rodriguez-KSEE Channel 24
Jarvis Cole
Jervis Cole-Former Fresno State Basketball Player
Sean Quinn
County Supervisor Bob Waterson
Aron Bender-KMPH 107.5 Radio Station
/ ,Roscoe Sharpe
Bruce Hoffman-Instructol' Center for Advanced Reseal'ch
and Technology
TI'OY Burks
Laurie West-ALICE 102 Morning Show
John Copher
Danny HiII-102.7 Radio Station
Cathy Isom-KMPH 107.5 Radio Station
Mark Bray
Kent Jones
Amy Allen-Channel 47 News
Andre Covington-B95 morning show
Captain Doug Papagni-Coach
Sponsors:
A-1 Recovery-Terry Carter Enterprises, 7-up Corporation, First String Sports,
Wellman the Magician, TARGET, ARAMARK, Ralph's Supermart, SAVEMART
Supermart, VONS, Fresno County Prosecutors' Association, Fresno Deputy
. !OO:htll'ift"c Association, Sanger Police Officers' Association, Fresno County
".,"'LIUU' Sergeant's Association, California Narcotics Officers' Association,
lII!lII'iifil'g Pizza, CUy of Mendota, Presley's Military Supplies, Lyons Magnus,
Salazar's, FOOD MAXX, Praxair, Center for Advanced Research and
Miller Packing Company, Fairwinds-Woodward Park, Clovis
I' Jose Flores, Alvin Togo-Diamond Realtors, Supel'Visor Judy
U. Neil Dadian, Holy Spil'it Chul'ch, Sheriff Richard Pierce, Public Safety
Association, Captain Ron Wiley, Captain Michael Leonardo,
IIHQI1'f'\IQ Shirley Pursell, Carolina Hogg, Dispatcher Terrilyn Myers, Ron
Barry Pearlstein, Detective Anthony Montiel, Karen Wong, C/O Ned
Teresa Chacon, Betty Gustafson, James and Judith Meyers, Mrs.
Leonardo, C/O Russell Duran C/O William Ellis, C/O Amelia Zuniga,
Tony Avila.
Committee Members:
QUinn, John Avila, Terri-Lynn Meyers, Tracy Perry, Terry Ashmore, Addie
--..","v. Milton Vann, Susie Watkins, Beatl'ice Santellan, and Brandi
2003 Sheriff's Review 19
Steak Out
June 21, the Shel'iff's Foundation for Public Safety and Girl Scouts
olden Valley Council hosted the Steak Out, a dinner and live and (}
silent auction held at the home ofTim and Shel'l)' Glines, Vice President
of Manufacturing for Pelco. Proceeds benefited both non-pmfit organizations.
We would like to thank all those for theil' generous donations of time and
materials:
Pelco Jeannie Burkhal't & Patrick Bitner
Harris Ranch Spectl'U m II
Aramark Allegient Airlines
Cl'Uise Adventures Doyle, Penner, Bradley and Watson
KGPE-Channel 47 Brix Restaurant
Keith Bennett-Valley Tape & Roger Rocka's
Design Union Bank of California
Pre-Sort Printing & Mailing The Island Waterpark
Services Bobby Salazar's Restaurant
Donaghy Sales Inc. Koontz & Lowe Design Ranch
Warner Co. Jewelel's Lynda Thomsen
Bilsten's Appliances The Valley Cats
Bulldog Brewery Robert Mondavi COI'pol'alion
Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Bowl for Kids Sake
The tournament benefiting Big Brothers, Big
Sistel's found the Fresno Deputy Shel'iff's
Association challenging the Shel'iff's
Foundation. The organization's team with the lower
score agreed to pay an additional $1 OO.OO's to Big
Brothers, Big Sisters. The final score : FDSA-2,
Shel'iff's Foundation-O.
FDSA Team: Randy Alvarez, Tod Cotta, Larry Davis, Sean Quinn and
Vashie Hawkins.The Foundation's Team: Ron Wallace, Tom Trester,
Mike Macias, George LaBorde, and Krystal Wilson.
Orange Cove Haunted
House
~e deputies and CSO's assigned to Area 3 and the City o ar __ ear I unge I of Orange Cove make this event possible. P I B PI
February 22, 2003 at Millerton Lake Special thanks to the event sponsors:
City of Orange Cove
Hot Dogs With Santa
APproximately 250 hot dogs were served to member's of
the Department and their childr'en in December of
2003 at Hot Dogs with Santa. This function was supported by the
Correctional and Deputy Sheriff's Lieutenants (Unit 35) and the
Executive Staff. The kids enjoyed their visit with Santa and munching on
hot dogs donated by ARAMARK.
The hard working committee members were: Colleen Hamell, Emmitt
Watkins, Susie Watkins, Addie Delgadillo, Milton Vann, Susie Leonar'do,
Norma Jay, Yvette Tristin, Dan Cer'Vanles, Lori Cer'Vantes, Elena Fong,
Brittney Watkins, Vince Watkins, Sarah Vann, Don Hill, and of course
Santa himself, Ron Wallace.
2003 Shel'iff's Review 21
Josh Lancaster Softball Tournament
LJpcoming Events ...
The Joshua Lancaster Softball Game on
November 1, 2003 in his honor, was held by Phi
Gamma Delta Fraternity at Fresno State. The Sheriff's
Foundation was proud to sponsor two teams that were
compl'ised of department personnel. All proceeds of this
event went to the Joshua Lancaster Scholorship Fund,
which is awar,ded to incoming freshmen in the Phi
Gamma Della Fraternity.
-
Camp DARE Golf Tournament
Fort Washington Country Club
Monday-June 7,2004
SAVE THE DATE!!!
May 22, 20014
1St ANNlJAL
"CopS, Hogs, &Rodders"
POKER RUN &CAR Show
Sponsored by The Sheriff's Foundation for Public Safety,
to benefit our widows and Children's fund.
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Show and Shine @ Lost Lake Park
For more information Contact Susan Leonardo
(559) 233-0130 ext. 223 or
e-maiI-Susan.Ieonardo@fresnosheriff.org 2003 Shel'ifl's Review 23
SERVING
THE VALLEY
SINCE 1938
• CREDIT
••UNION
•• DIRECT
••• LENDING"
1100 'MADERA AVE
FIVE STAR
CCOCO
IVI~I::J~R~ ..................___...............
G MOTOROLA
Authorized Two-Way Radio Dealer
• Two-Way Radios
• Accessories
• Installation
• Repairs
's
We proudly support
the Sheriff's Foundation
for Public Safety
Communications, Inc.
Serving rheCenrral Valley for 12 years
24
Executive Staff
Donald Burk
Captain
Jose Flores
Captain
I Tom GaUie
Captain
Roger Greening
Captain
Doug Papagni
Captain
Jeff Hollis
Captain
Ron Wiley
Captain
Michael leonardo
Captain
2003 Sheriff's Review 25
FRESNO, CALIF.
80MBA~
OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER
(559) 266-4077
1609 E. BELMONT AVE.
FRESNO', CA 93701
Ie's no coincidence char an adventurous perSon is called freewheel
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SERVING THE ENTIRE STATE FOR
58
YEARS
I SII.
Funeral Service
( FRESNO )
1810 So. fruit Ave Ffuno, CAe
6.0 iulare SL • Fresno, CA
1559J 268·8048
( BAKERSFIELD)
1111 C.mornia Ave· Bakeullcld. CA
16611 324-1390
~ STOCKTON )
640 N , Caillorn.., SL • Stockton. CA
1605 '161 . WashIngton' Uodil1on, CA
1209,948-9150
26
Command Staff
Gary Johnson
Correctional Lieutenant
Joseph Leon
Correctional Lieutenant
Susan Leonardo
C9,rrectional Lieutenant
David Kurtze
Correctional Lieutenant
Elias Mendez
Correctional Lieutenant
Marilyn Weldon
Correctional Lieutenant
Kevin Peters
Correctional Lieutenant
Bruce Roberts
Acting Business
Manager
Charlotte Tilkes
Offender Programs
Manager
Shirley Grace
Information Technology
Manager
2003 Sheriff's Review 27
---
Command Staff
Nelson Beazley
Sheriff's Lieutenant
Joe Blohm Joe Bull Dale Caudle
Sheriff's Lieutenant Sher;jff's Lieutenant Sheriff's Lieutenant
I
,/ /.--
Neil Dadian
Sheriff's Lieutenant
Jennifer Horton
Sheriff's Lieutenant
Jeff-Johnson
Sheriff's Lieutenant
Scott Jones
Sheriff's Lieutenant
Robert Kandarian Fernando Lopez
Sheriff's Lieutenant Sheriff's Lieutenant
28
Command Staff
Colleen Mestas Robert Miller
Sheriff's Lieutenant Sheriff's Lieutenant
Margaret Mims
Sheriff's Lieutenant
Mark Padilla
Sheriff's Lieutenant
I
Santos Tafoya -Victor Wisemer
Sheriff's Lieutenant Sheriff's Lieutenant
Rick Pursell Toby Rien
Sheriff's Lieutenant Sheriff's Lieutenant
2003 Sheriff's Review 29
U. Fernando Lopez and U. Toby Rien at
D.A.R.E Camp
Michael Bagwell
Correctional Sergeant
Superviso
~---~----------~
Staff
Jeffrey Barrie John Copher Richard Egbuziem
Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant
---~ Steven Helm Mike Henkle Brian Henley David Hildreth
Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant
Lorenzo Lara Jeffrey Lockie Victor McGill Thomas Mendoza
Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant
-Bet,ty Moreno Ronald Moreno Lawrence Morris -Donovan Morrison
Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Corl'ectional Sergeant
30
Supervisory Staff
Luis Plascencia Mike Porter Diego Quintana
Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant
Mary Nichols
Correctional Sergeant
Charron Ream
Correctional Sergeant
Kevin Thompson
Correctional Sergeant
Carl Satterfield Chi rid Shagena-Phipps Harold Shumate
Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant
Emmitt Watkins Susan Watkins
Correctional Sergeant Correctional Sergeant
-, -Ron Vega
Correctional Sergeant
Correctional Sergeant
Thomas Alberda
Sheriff's Sergeant
Matthew Alexander Ian Barrimond
Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant
2003 Sheriff's Review 31
Supervisory Staff
~--------------~ ~------~~----~
Dale Baumann Michael Brand Mark Bray Philip Caporale
Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Ser'geant Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant
Kathy Carreiro Daniel Cervantes Michael Chapman Frances Devins
Sheriff's Sergeant Sher'iff's Sergeant Shel'iff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant
James Dockweiler Kathryn Dooley Brent Foster Tony Garcia
Sheriff's Ser'geant Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant
Greg Gul'arte Patrick Hanson Ronald Hayes Louis Hernandez
Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant
32
Richard Hill Gregol)' Humann Grego!), Johnson Michael Lancaster
Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant
Sheriff's Sergeant
Jay Stuart
Shel'iff's Sergeant
Arley T el'l'ence
Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant
2003 Sheriff's Review 33
Supervisory Staff
~w-~r-~~------~ ----------~
Eric Thompson
Sheriff's Sergeant
Melissa Voisenat
Sheriff's Sergeant
Ronald Vaughn
Sheriff's Sergeant
J
Richard Wilhoite Stephen Wilkins Foster Womble
Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant Sheriff's Sergeant
MELISSA GOMEZ
It1P. of Nummy Numrny Ice Cr ~Oll~ ~
:tP
\~~~a 1J
e~ OU a.~
~ ~~[~-;lJ
OLD TOWNE CLOVIS
559-299-9606
BILL, CORA & MARCI SHIPLEY
JON SEMPER II
TELEPHONE
BUS: (209) 268-9408
TERMINAL (209) 846-6606
8355 McMullin Grade PAGER 279-9056
Fresno, CA 93706 CELLULAR 284-4419
34~______________________________________L-____________________________________~
Gone Fishing!
The Sheriff's Foundation would like to recognize the following
m"embers of our Department who have retired over the past year
for all their hard work and dedication they have contributed to the
Fresno County Sheriff's Department.
/"
Nancy Arceneau Cynthia Knight Jim Tarver
Mike Bailey Rick Lyons Jon Tilley
Jill Bissett Bob McDonald Ron Wiley
Alan Bradshaw Ed Mee Jimmy Aguirre
Don Burk Carlos Mestas Linda Bowman
Greg Burton Jim Morley Richard Briano
Daniel Conway Mike Mosier Dina Camaroda
Bill Dryden Steve Meunier Ellie Carnes
Alan Gaad Dennis Palmer Mike Demes
Alan Graham Doug Papagni Dave Escobedo
Elaine Graham Cyndi Parkinson Bonnie Hancock
Roger Greening Bill Prince Frank Keever
Jack Gregory Mike Robinson Dan Kiel
Bob Hagler Martin Rivera William Lang
David Huerta Pat Stacy Delores Pearson
Ron Hunt Paul Sullivan Carlos Salinas
Jim Kerns Glenn Taglimonte
2003 Retirement Luncheon
2003 Shel'iff's Review 35
Fleet Services
By Deputy Eric Broughton
In 2002, Sheriff Pierce and the Fresno Deputy
Sheriff's Association embarked on a jOint venture to
study the possibility of assuming control of the
Sheriff's fleet (all vehicles assigned to the Sheriff's
Department). This was based in part upon a study
prepared by the FDSA, in which it was recommended
that the Sheriff's Department manage its own fleet and
examine the possibility of individually assigned patrol
cars for deputies. Roughly twelve months of formal and
informal meetings with County leadership at all levels
resulted in the Board of Supervisors directing the
Sheriff to present a formal study for consideration.
The Sheriff's Fleet team consisted of Captain Don Burk,
Lieutenant Bob McDonald, Sergeant John Maier, Deputy
Eric Broughton and Nick Harrison. Between November
2002 and April 2003 the team studied all aspects of the
fleet system. The conclusion of the team's research was
that by seceding from the County Fleet Services
management system, the Sheriff's Department could
self-manage it's entire fleet; take over the headquarters
36
garage with Sheriff's Mechanics; privatize much of the
fleet maintenance; and increase the size of the fleet by
100 cars to issue all field deputies take-home patrol
cars for less money than County Fleet Services charged
for the ~Irevious fiscal year.
As one would imagine, there was substantial resistance
to the study from the outset. Obstacles were encountered
by the team ranging from inter-department issues such
as funding and purchasing, to an auto dealership who
tried to intimidate the county into purchasing vehicles
from California dealerships only.
On April 29, 2003, Sheriff Pierce presented the findings
of the fleet team to the Board of Supervisors. The depth
of the study was praised by the Board and approved for
implementation unanimously! The fleet team then had
the arduous task of implementing its recommendations
no later than the beginning of the next fiscal year on July
1 st. Immediately, the team negotiated a contract with
Ford in record time, thanks to the expertise of County
Counsel Brain Melikian. The Sheriff's department
purchased 65 patrol cars, 35 patrol 4x4 !Expeditions,
and two vans on a three year lease-purchase. The
annual payment was slightly less than the amount of
money-paid the previous year to County Fleet Services
for vehicle depreciation and overhead expenses!
Contracts were also negotiated with Ford dealerships
and other vendors throughout the County to maintain.,
our fleet. This made it possible for deputies to service
their patrol cars at locations that were conveniently
located near their work sites, as well as their homes.
The team flew to Beaumont, Texas and met with staff
from Philpott Ford. Philpott is only one of two Ford
dealerships in the nation that not only sell patrol cars,
but also build them on-site. They had over three
hundred Crown Victoria patrol cars in stock and sold
over 6,000 the previous year, which made them the
largest police fleet dealer in the nation. In less than sixty
days, the first truckload of patrol cars began showing
up at the Area 2 substation. The cars came off of the
delivery trucks built from bumper-to-bumper to FSO
specifications. They included everything from updated
graphics to pre-programmed dual-band radios. We just
had to add gas and a deputy! Cooperative
effort between the administration and the FDSA resulted
in policies for the program that benefited the county, the
department, the deputies, but more importantly, the
citizens of Fresno County. Neighborhoods throughout
Fresno County benefit from the vi,sibility of patrol cars
parked at deputy's homes. The citizens we serve benefit
from having numerous deputies available to respond ,to
emergency calls for service not just on duty, but also on
their way to and from work, court, training and other
duties.
The first batch of new take-home patrol cars were issued
to deputies on July 3,2003. This was a historic day in
our department, as we now have the largest take-home
fleet in the state. We have already realized the potential
for Deputy Sheriff recruitment/the take-home program
provides. As a result of the Sheriff's Fleet study,
numerous other agencies have requested our help in
examining the possibility of implementing their own
take-home and self-management programs. The Fresno
Sheriff's Department and the Fresno Deputy Sheriff's
Association can take a great deal of pride in aCcomplishing
an enormous venture that many deemed impOSSible.
2003 Sheriff's Review 37
Auxiliary Staff
Gar)' Mar1in
Rangemaster
,
Drake Bell Nick Harrison Melinda Lujan
Inmate Supplies Coordinator Vehicle Service Coordinator' Laundry Supervisor
Robert Mero Melanie Sarkisian
Helicopter Mechanic Personell Tech
38
Opening of the North Annex
Jail Expansion
Business Office
Eva Albert Doris Bosch
Supe"'ising Account Clerk II Supervising Account Clerk II
Archie Caughell Elena Fong Karen Fong
Extra Help Staff Analyst Account Cler'k III
Doug King
Stock Cler'k III
Helen Thomas Toune Thounsouk
Account Clerk III Account Cler'k III
Cynthia Tsukamoto Ron Wallace Sally Yemoto
Supervising Account Clerk II Account Clerk II Account Clerk III Senior Accountant
2003 Sher'iff's Review 39
Are you and your
family properly protected?
Affordable Peace ofMind
for Those You Care About Most ...
Life Insurance,
Mortgage &Loan Payoff Insurance
Health &Dental Insurance
(Short & Long Term)
Retirement & Asset Accumulation
Educational Savings Plans
Call days or evenings: (800) 634-4288
Alan Benoy--Insurance Agent
Ca Lie. #OB20964--Visalia, CA.
u.s Treasury Agent
Retired
International Security Division
1971-1996
Carlson Investigative Services
Gerald J. Carlson, Private Investigator
(559) 323-2106 (Voice/FAX)
P.o. Box 1652. Clovis. CA 93613-1652. CA P.I. #18467
Post Certified -Int~rnal Affairs
LEO Defense
Deputy Sheriff, Flagstaff, AZ 69-71
A Resident of Fresno County since 1971
in service to the
Fresno County Sheriff's Department
since 1939
We encourage all pilots who own or have access to an aircraft to join with us.
Please contact one of the following officers for more infol'mation:
Chuck Robb-Commander (559) 285-2547
Shant Bedoyan-Executive Officer (559) 213-2256
Or. Charles Touton-Intelligence Officer (559) 259-1990
40
The Sheriff's Business Office
Back row: Tom Trester, Tracee Cozier, Ron Wallace. Fourth row: Captain Doug Papagni, Kim Nakamura, Kim Stoeber, Doug King.
Third row: Bruce Roberts, Karen Fong, Diana Gonzales, Dorris Bosch. Second row: Elena Fong, Patti Gimbarti, Eva Albert, Surinder
Sandhu, Helen Thomas. First row: June Ikeda,Ann Hall, Cynthia Tsukamoto, Toune Thounsouk, Georgia Kawamoto.
l e Business office is responsible for the coordination
of all activities related to the business and fiscal
functions of the Sheriff's Department. Major areas
of responsibility include budget preparation and control,
accounting, bilrling and collection of fees, fiscal control
of contracts, facilities management, preparation of
financial statements and statistical reports, monitol'ing
payroll and personnel transactions, and completing
special projects.
The travel section processes travel requests for training,
inars and conferences. Various documents are
to assure payment of travel advances and
. Receipts are collected for hotels,
and car rentals. Checks are issued and money
collected in accordance with County travel policies.
accounts receivable section performs the Sheriff's
tAru:lrlmlllnl's billing and collection for contracted law
.......··I"",·,,'"t services. This includes contact with
1IU\~"'mlllnt staff, state and federal agencies, other local
law enforcement agencies, Fresno County school
and other County departments.
The Inmate Welfare Fund section processes all incoming
and outgoing inmate cash and unclaimed money funds
and processes purchase orders, supply orders and
contracts for inmate supplies and services. The staff
assigned to this section is accountable for the Prisoner
Trust Fund, Prisoner Unclaimed Fund and the Inmate
Welfare Fund.
The Sheriff's Business Office also has the daily
accountability for the balancing and depositing of all
inmate mail money that is processed by the Jail Mail
Staff Office located at the Main Detention Facility and
processing all in custody and out of custody inmate
money requests.
The Receiving and Supply section is manned by our
diligent stock clerk. He is responsible for ordering and
distributing most of the supplies that are used by our
Department personnel. .
2003 Sheriff's Review 41
Community Service Officers
Launda Alexandel'
CSO
Bruce Anderson Carl Arthur Neomi Cart'isales Minnie Chaval'l'ia
CSO CSO CSO CSO
Elvin Dau
CSO
Mauel Chavez Addie Delgadillo Thel'esa Espinoza Rose Findley
CSO CSO CSO CSO
Diana Gann
CSO
Amy Gipson Laura Graves Cynthia Hausser Neng Her
CSO CSO CSO CSO
Khamphou Insyarath
CSO
Diana Lopez Michael Macias Teresa McCray Elaine Montoya
CSO CSO CSO CSO
42
Community Service Officers
Lori Muri
CSO
Sharon Nichols
CSO
Veronica Palafox
CSO
Maria Pena
CSO
Diana Oliva
CSO
Deborah Rusconi
CSO
Patricia Scarbrough
CSO
2003 Sheriff's Review
Shirley Perl), Tracy Perry Michael Reed Keli Reeves Anthony Robles
CSO CSO CSO CSO CSO
Community Service Officers
Malinda Smith
CSO
laurie Tafoya Cara Tarrant Tong Thao
CSO CSO CSO
Milton Vann
CSO
Sandra Whitney Brenda Worstein
CSO CSO
CSO Elaine Montoya at a
Neighborhood Watch
-meeting
2003 National Night Out 44
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ining & Instruction:
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BEHIND 'IN SHAW CO T 0
10% Discount for Sheriff's
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pecfallzing in Exposed Aggregate
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FRESNO, CA 93711-3608'I)OFF.: (559) 227-5548
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24 HOUR GOOD NEIGHBOR SERVICE®
STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES
HOME OFFICES:
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10% Discount for Sheriff's
Em
45
By Lt. Dale Caudle
officer '--_-=----'-=---___________~__.:=________I
Honor Guard
e Fresno County Sheriff's Department's
Honor Guard has been in existence for ~over twenty years. It is curr'ently
commanded by a Captain and lieutenant and
supervised by four Sergeants. The detail is
comprised of both Deputy Sheriff's and
Correctional Officers.
Sheriff Pierce recently authorized the increase
in personnel to accommodate the many
requests for the Unit and to facilitate the
continued professionalism and prestige of this
very special unil. The Honor Guard participates
in many details. These include, but are not I
limited to, officer funer'als, retired
funerals, dignitary funerals, and flag details 2003 Honor' Guard
for' ceremonies and special events.
Companion Officer Program
By sgt. Mike Henkle
l e Companion Officer Program or COP is a Peer
Support Program developed to provide Fresno
County Sheriff Department Employees with a
confidential, objective, nonjudgmental resource to which
they may come voluntarily for support, advice and .,..
assistance in resolving job-related or personal problems
which can seriously impair their efficiency.
The program is headed by Program Manager, U. Kevin
Peters and assisted by Coordinators, sgt. Mike Chapman,
sgt. Frances Devins and sgt. Mike Henkle. There are
currently 25 team members in the program that are
assigned to all areas of the Sheriff's Department,
including patrol, corrections and civilian positions. The
team members are dedicated to provide peer counseling
and support to the members of this d-epartment as they
volunteer their time 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During this year, the team has played an active role in
several traumatic incidents, including line of duty
deaths, officer involved shootings, major vehicle
accidents and serious injuries to name a few. Peer
and
support, family support, diffusings, and debriefings
were provided by team members during these times to
help department employees and family members cope
with the stressful environment that we work in.
Members of the COP are trained to be effective listeners
to provide feedback, clarify issues, and assist
employees in identifying options for problem resolution,
however they are not therapists. When problems are
acute or appear to require specialized assistance,
information on referral resources is provided. The team
works closely with Karen Fu, MFC as a professional
resource. Karen currently holds the Employee Assistance
Program (EAP') contract for the department. She has
been a great asset to the department and the Companion
Officer Program.
Included in the program is a Critical Incident Response
Team or CIRT which is responsible for responding to
major critical incidents such as officer involved shootings,
deaths, suicides, major vehicle accidents or other
major critical incidents. This team conducts diffusings
and debriefings for these types of incidents as needed.
This team has received specialized training in this area,
in addition to the other training received.
Stress comes in all shapes and sizes and greatly differs
from person to person. Whether incurred by traumatic
incident, personal troubles, alcohol and/or drug abuse,
stress decreases an officer's effectiveness, and could
endanger the officer or others on the job. Our
motivation and primary concern is the mental and
emotional well being of the officer involved.
The key to the success of this program remains the
same and is two fold: First, members of the Companion
Officer Program are committed to trust, confidentiality
and credibility. Second, employees wishing to utilize
the program must be willing, self-honest and open
minded.
2003 Sheriff's Review 47
I
nal Officers
Romualdo Alvarez
Correctional Officer
Jose Alvarez
Correctional Officer
Ricardo Arroyo Robert Atchley Daniel Aveitia Sylvia Avila
Correctional Officer Co.......... Correctional Officer Correclional Officer Correctional Officer
Steven Barajas
Correctional Officer
Terry Barnes Ned Barton Barry Beaver
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
48
Correctional Officers
Ken Becker Paul Beckley Primo Belmontez James Bernabe
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
/ "" ""
Meredith Black
Correctional Officer
Cheryl Blair Nikia Blathers Larry Blow
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Erick Boggs Norma Bolanos-Banuelos
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Erich Bowers Christopher Boyd Eleanor Bracamonte Dennis Bridges
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Darling Burch Mary BUI'gess Troy Burks Sharon Burrough
COrJ'ectional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
2003 Sheriff's Review 49
Correctional Officers
Carrie Burrows Cecilia Bustinza Anthony Camarena Jeffrey Campbell Fernando Cano
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Kelli Capps Donna Carrell Jami Carter Myesha Cartier Margaret Castellano
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Alexander Chagoya Phillip Chavez
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Gloria Contreras Bryan Correa Theresa Cox Timothy Crane Christopher Curran
Correctional Ofricer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctionall Officer
50
Correctional Officers
Angie Custer
Correctional Officer
Mark Dawson
Correctional Officer
Simon Dominquez, Jr.
Correctional Officer
lawrence Daluz
Correctional Officer
Chris DeleGarza
Correctional Officer
Gary Douglas, Sr.
Correctional Officer
Jonathan Dar
Correctional Officer
Adan DelaRosa
Correctional Officer
Rodric Drolshagen
Correctional Officer
Juanita Davila
Correctional Officer
Michael Delgado
Correctional Officer
Russell Duran
Correctional Officer
Mike Davis
Correctional Officer
Gurprelt Dhaliwal
Correctional Officer
Cheryl Edwards
Correctional Officer
William Ellis Daniel Encinas lonnie Engelman John Esparza
Correctional Officer Correctional Officel' Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
2003 Sheriff's Review 51
Correctional Officers
Michael Esquivel Rowland Evans Jose Ferrer Luis Figueroa Michael Findley
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Office!'
Robert Flickinger Rodney Flood Ben Flores Charles Flores De"nnis Forleo
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Sheila Foster Yvonne Foster Sean Franco Josephine Fuentez-Green Derek Gaad
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Larry Galaviz Harold Gann Chris Garcia Alfred Garnica II
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
52
Correctional Officers
Juan M. Gonzalez
Correctional Officer
Maria Gonzalez Robert Goodrich, Jr. Robert Grace Sherrell Grayson James Grealy
ColTectional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Michael Grieco David Gutierrez Ne"ie Gutierrez
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
2003 Sherilf's Review 53
Community Connections Project
By Progr'ams Manager Char'loUe Tilkes
Uder the direction of Sheriff Richard Pierce,
etention Programs staff has spent the past
twelve months enhancing and expanding programs
for sentenced inmates. The Sheriff recognized that at
the core of inmate recidivism is substance abuse and
lack of appropriate support services when an inmate is
first released from the jail. Through the leadership of
Captain Michael Leonardo, Bureau staff initiated
substance abuse treatment for both male and female
inmates that begins while incarcerated and continues
fOf' the first three months the offender is released f!'Om
custody. Additionally, because many inmates ar'e ill
prepar'ed to retUl'n to the community after incarcer'ation,
transition support or aftercare se:rvices are also p!'Ovided
for the fir'st three months the offender is r'eleased from
custody. The transition support services assist inmates
in finding housing, transportation, food, employment,
continued education, treatment, health and other'
services available in the community. The goal of these
expanded services ar'e to provide positive support for
successful communi,ty reintegration and thus, r'educe
repeat criminal offenses in the community by offering
the ex-offenders services to meet their evel)'day living
needs. The Sheriff funds this and all inmate programs
through the inmate welfar'e trust fund, not taxpayer
dollars.
The Community Connections Project (CCP) a
collaboration staffed by contl'acted a substance abuse
tr'eatment provider', community-based agencies and
organizations who pr'ovide tl'ansition SUPPOf't services,
Fresno Courity Office of Education and Bureau staff.
CCP includes substance abuse treatment,
academics,development of personal living and
employment skills, and community transition Of' aftercar'e
support services. Unique to this program is the
Sheriff's commitment to supporting and utilize the
inmate welfare trust fund for' three months of substance
abuse treatment and · transition SUPPOf't (aftercare)
services fOf' inmates who successfully participate in the
in-custody CCP program.
The Community Connection Project is .voluntarY' and
targets inmates who are ready to make positive and
lasting change in their lives. Inmates enrolling in the
CCP are individually assessed to determine barTiers to
successfulr'eintegration into the community. Based on
the findings of the inmate need assessments, inmates
are enr'olled in the differ'ent CCP progr'ams. Cr'itical to
the inmate's success in the CCP are the development of
community transition plans to help inmates prepare for
successful return to community living. These transition
plans include identifying their immediate needs (food,
housing, employment, education, Of' on-going treatment),
as well as futUl'e needs to grow into pr'oductive and
contributing member's of the community.
It is believed that by identifying each inmates barriers
to success and utilizing existing community services in
a collaborative app!'Oach, collectively we will be able to
assist those inmates motivated for positive ch
become p!'Oductive, responsible member's of
community.
54
Correctional Officers
Michael Hanlin Shain Hansen
Correctional Officer
Theng Her Jimmy Hernandez John Hernandez Johnny Hernandez Mario Herrera
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
James Hodges
Correctional Officer
Timothy Hoffman Robert Holmes Gary Holt
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
2003 Sheriff's Review 55
Correctional Officers
Herbert Holt
Correctional Officer
n .J
Mohammed Iqbal
Correctional Officer
Chad Horneck Brian Humann Debra Hunt
COI'I'ectional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Jeffrey Jacoby
Correctional Officer
El'ic Johansen
Correctional Officer
Ernie Jaime
Correctional Officer
Thomas Johnson
Correctional Officer
Jerry Jarocki
Correctional Officer
Katherine Johnson
Corl'ectional Officer
Brian Jennings
Correctional Officer
Thomas Jones
Correctional Officer
Kathy Jiminez
Correctional Officer
Miguel Juarez
Correctional Officer
Margie Juarez Brian Kamlade Jessica Kampen Alan Keizer
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
56
Correcti,onal Officers
Sue Kerns
CorTectional Officer
Steven Kleinknight George Kostuckek Devin Kubota Geor'ge La Borde
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Jose Lepe Howar'd Lewis
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Va Ly John Ly Susan MacDonald Patrice Mack
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correclional Officer Correctional Officer
2003 Sheriff's Review 57
Correctional Officers
Daniel Madero
Correctional Officer
Mesfin Mamo Rudy Marquez Rhonda Martin Kathleen Martinez
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Mark Martinez Rachel Martinez Rossano Martinez Kefer McCoy Catrina McKinney
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Jerry Medrano Alex Menchaca Michael Mendoza Albert Mendoza, Jr. Marylou Merancio
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Donald Mercer Thomas Mertens Carlos Meza Michael Mills
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
58
Correctional Officers
June Mills Thomas Mills Carlo Montoya
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
David Moore
Correctional Officer
Phillip Moore
Correctional Officer
David Moreno Sylvia Morley Ronald Munarola Michael Munneke
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Mark Murillo
Correctional Officer
. ~/-
Dariene Murillo ChristineMurphy Travis Newell Tuong Ngo Timothy Nickel
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Phililip Niedhamer Benjamin Nunley Carlos Obeso Dana Ohlberg
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
2003 Sheriff's Review 59
Gang Mentality
By Sergeant Harold Shumate
Wen seeking to understand the mentality of
gang members, we must first ask: What is the
benefit of being a gang member? Believe it or
not, the reasons are pretty basic: se~f-esteem and
respect. Twenty years ago, the kid who was picked on
and ridiculed in junior high school would be apt to join
a gang. By the time he was in high school, he would
enact his revenge by preying on others through the fear
and intimidation of his gang. Back then, most gang
members were teenagers who would never achieve
academic excelllnce 01' hear the accolades reserved for
star athletes. They tended to be social outcasts, neithel'
clever enough to play the role of class clown, nOI'
studious enough to be the class valedictorian. They
came from single-parent, impoverished, welfare I'ecipient
homes without the benefit of positive, male guidance.
None of which help build a young man's self-esteem or
teach him about I'espect.
Over the past ten years, the motivations fOl' being a gang
membel' haven't changed, but the circumstances that
lead to gang membership have become inherently more
complicated. In larger cities, many kids have to cross
several gang territories hl OI'der to get to school. Some
children live in gang territories and when they travel
outside their own neighborhoods, they're erroneously
identified as gang members. Others may be supporting
their families by selling drugs or dOing home-invasion
I'obberies which all stems from their lagging self
esteem and extl'eme desire for respect.
When we examine the mind-set, we have to look at the
elements that give gang members status. It can all be
summed up in the titles of two rap songs -"Sex, Money
and Murder" by Too Short and "Money, Power and
Respect" by the LOX. In the gang cultul'e, sex, money
and murder are the driving forces behind their skewed
perspectives of status and respect. How "fine" their
women are, how many women they have, how much
money they make by selling drugs, pimping women,
home invasions and bank robberies will all gain them
status fl'Om their gang banging peers. And, unfortunately
nothing will gain them status quicker than pl'oving how
callous and unmerciful they can be.
In the late 70's and early 80's, we were able to look at
a gang banger and presume he was the product of a
broken family, living in an impoverished home and
lacking a positive, male I'ole model. FOI' the most part,
those charactel'istics still apply today, aJthough we are
finding that an increasing number of gang members
are from two-parent households, living in the suburbs.
Modern day gang bangers have parents who are
doctors, lawyers, and even law enfol'cement officers.
Today, we find gang members who've enrolled in
coUege as recipients of academic scholarships and
include not only such elite students as high school star
athletes, but also professional football, baseball and
basketball players.
A gang banger once told me that he didn't want to see
his "Ii'l homey" follow in his footsteps, so he "kicks him
down" hundred-dollar tennis shoes, gold chains and
NFL jackets. He allows him to ride in his dl'Op-top BMW
and takes him to Magic Mountain and Great America,
never realizing that what he is in fact doing, is selling
his lifestyle to the child. Though he may preach about
the evils of having to "watch his back", distl'Ust all those
around him and the PQssibility of being murdered
before the ripe age of 23, the child's not hearing the
message. Instead, he's watching the gang banger
make his "easy" money selling drugs, seeing how he,
too, can have the car of his dl'eams, the women and the
flashy clothes. Since there are no doctors 01' lawyers
living in the "hood," the thought never even enters his
impl'essionable mind. It's not an option for him.
However, the friendly, neighborhood gang banging
drug dealer does, and that's exactly who he models his
dreams after.
Once there was a very smart, Rollin' 60's gang member
who came up from Los Angeles. He insinuated himself
into a local hood, started selling drugs, making a lot of
money fOI' both himself and the hood. He helped the
elderly make rent, paid their PG&E bills, threw lavish
barbecues in the park inviting everyone in the
neighborhood and endeared himself to the community
in the process. Young children and senior citizens alike
admired him; gang bangers loved him. But, what
everyone failed to notice, or chose to ignore, was the
fact that he'd beat anyone within an inch of their life if
they were short on the drug money they owed him. And
if anyone was foolish enough to sell drugs in his
territory, he'd kill them. His popularity was short-lived,
however, and he was killed within two years by the very
same gang bangers who had once revered him. Rumor
has it that the hood wanted him dead because he
disrespected them by beating down several of their
gang members. ;--
Prior to his murder, his obviously-pregnant girlfriend
was approached by gang members who requested her
assistance in setting him up. When she refused to help
them, it cost not only his life, but hers and her unborn
child's.
As law enforcement officers, we are trained to detach
ourselves from certain situations to preserve both our
mental and emotional well-being. Gang members also
practice detachment for many of the same reasons,
more specifically though, to stay alive. If they were to
show concern for another human being or remorse for
a horrendous act, it would be misconstrued as a
weakness. And in their world, when they show
weakness, they become the prey. Once fear is removed
and the perception of weakness is installed, the doors
swing wide for someone to step in and take over the
drug territory, the women and anything else they want.
In order to retain respect and appear strong, gang
members are often willing to fight over something as
inconsequential as someone stepping on their shoes or
looking at them sideways. They can't afford even the
appearance of disrespect or they'll look weak in the
eyes of their peers. The attitude becomes so ingrained
in their lifestyles, they simply forget why they do it, they
just know it's expected of them, when in fact their very
lives may depend upon it. Because they lead such a
dangerous existence, most gang members confuse fear
with respect.
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2003 Sheriff's Review 61
Correctional,Officers
Michael Olague Robert Osborn Ade Osijo Clinton Page John Palacios
Correctional Ofncer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Hector Palma Joseph Papagni Felipe Pardo Henry Parker Jeffrey Penry
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer' Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Daniel Perez Rodolfo Perez Carol Phillips Mario Pizano Victor Prado
Correctional Officer Corr'ectional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Brian Pree
Correctional Officer
Narciso Quintana
Correctional Officer
Maria Quintanilla
Correctional Officer
62
Correctional Officers
Sharlene Ramey-Cross Cecilio Ramirez John Randolph Klaus Rathjens Thomas Ream
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Mitchell Redondo John Renfro Michelle Reyes Paul Reyes Daniel Richardson
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Steve Rodriguez
Correctional Officer
Mark Ruby Ruben Ruiz Jorge Salas Frances Saldana Edward Saldivar
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
2003 Sheriff's Review 63
Correctional Officers
Patricio Santiago
Correctional Officer
Craig Sanders Isidro Santoyo Manuel Santoyo Jared Sayles
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Andr'ew Schick
Corr'eclional Officer
Kathy Schwartz Brett Scroggins Jose Serna Roscoe Sharpe
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Mary Shepherd Brenda Sherman Jeffrey Siagan Richard Smith Edward Snyder
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer'
Vannak Soun Mark Stith Margaret Storey Nultapol Sutakul LaSchell Tarver
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer'
64
Correctional Officers
Gary Tatham Nancy Taylor Gary Torres Juan Torres Ysidro Torr'es
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Jess Townsend
Correctional Officer
David Vermason Debra Villegas
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
Holmes and
Correclional Offioer Thomas Mertens
2003 Sherifrs Review 65
i
Jail Med,ical Services
Background
Medical services for inmates and wards of the County's adult and
juvenile facilities are mandated by Title 15, Division IV, of the
California Code of Regulations. Jail Medical Services is a
division of the Community Health Department and provides
medical care to inmates housed in the detention facility.
Currently medical care is provided and directed by three full
time physicians and four full-time mid-level practitioners.
Approximately 60 registered nurses and licensed vocational
nurses provide direct care and medication administration. A
full-time dentist and two dental assistants provide dental care.
Medical records personnel and unlicensed assistive personnel
provide essential support services and record keeping functions.
Inpatient medical care is provided through a contract with
Community Hospitals of Central California.
The Main Jail at Fresno and M Streets was completed in the
summer of 1989. Currently, there is a court ordered maximum
population of 1,064 inmates. There are four general housing
floors, each having its own medical treatment area. However,
the core ofthe medical services program is found on the facility'S
second floor. On this floor there is a 37-bed outpatient housing
unit, pharmacy, x-ray room, laboratory area, treatment room,
and two dental operatories.
The North Annex Jail, immediately adjacent to the Main Jail, is
the newesHacility. Construction was completed in 2002. This
facility has a court ordered capacity of 1728 minimum-security
inmates. Currently 30 juvenile wards are housed in one pod of
the fifth floor. A clinic is located on each detention floor. The
South Annex Jail is the original main jail facility. It has a court
ordered capacity of 696 inmates on four housing floors. All
three of these facilities are connected by an underground
system of tunnels.
The Satellite Jail is located on M Street. This facility holds
approximately 300 sentenced inmates. Jail Medical Services
provides services to these inmates by conducting sick call three
times per week.
Current Status
The outpatient medical care provided in the adult detention
facilities includes three components:
• The housing unit that houses inmates who are eligible for
outpatient treatment but must be segregated from the
general inmate population because of a medical condition.
Medical conditions include intravenous administration of
antibiotics and monitoring of significant conditions such as
chronic cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications,
and terminal illnesses. 'Inmates cannot be housed in this
• unit who would, if not incarcerated, be admitted to a
hospital, skilled nursing facility, or other inpatient health.
facility. Inmates in this unil include those who would be
treated on an outpatient basis and/or engender a security
risk to themselves or others because of a medical condition.
• Care provided to the remainder of the inmate population is
essentially that which is provided by an "urgent care" or
"walk-in" clinic. This includes treatment of minor ailments
and injuries, and the treatment of urgent and/or painful
dental problems, X-ray services (provided on site by a mobile
x-ray company), and patient education.
• Medical screening is performed on each arrestee at the time
of booking. This process screens for communicable diseases,
other illnesses, injuries, pregnancy, drug and alcohol use,
and mental health problems. An additional medical
assessment is offered to each inmate after being housed in
the facility for 10 days.
The average number of inmates housed in the adult facility
outpatient-housing unit is 35. Further, there are approximately
150,000 sick call visits and about 2,800 dental visits per year.
This will increase in 2003/2004 as the inmate population
increases. Approximately 40,000 medical screens are performed
each year. Services are provided 24 hours per day, seven days
per week.
Target Population
• The target population includes all inmates of Fresno County
detention facilities.
Service Delivery location
Services are delivered at the following fixed locations. Space is
provided by the Fresno County Sheriff's Department.
• Fresno County North Annex Jail, 1265 M Street, Fresno
93721
• Fresno County Main Jail, 1225 M Street, Fresno 93721
• Fresno County Adult Detention Facility Satellite Jail, 110M
Street, Fresno 93721
• Fresno County South Annex Jail, 2280 Fresno St., Fresno
93721
Agency Collaboration
The program collaborates with the following agencies:
• Fresno County Human Services System -Communicable
Disease Division and Public Health laboratory and Adull
Services (Jail Psychiatric Services).
• Fresno County Sheriff's Department
JAil MEDICAL SERVICES
COST CENTER 1684 -Juvenile Detention Facilities
Back round
Medical services for inmates and wards of the County's adult and
juvenile facilities are mandated by Title 15, Division IV, of the
California Code of Regulations. Inpatient medical care is
provided through a contract with Community Hospitals
Central California.
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Fresno County Juvenile Hall is located at 744 South Tenth Street
and has the capacity for 280 wards.
Current Status
The outpatient medical care provided in the juvenile detention
facilities includes two components:.
Care which is essentially that provided by an "urgent care" or
"walk-in" clinic. This includes treatment of minor ailments and
injuries, X-ray services (provided on site by a mobile x-ray
company), and patient education. ___
• A physical examination performed on each arrestee within
96 hours of booking. This process screens for communicable
diseases, other illnesses, injuries, pregnancy, drug and
alcohol use, and mental health problems.
At Juvenile Hall the e are approximately 10,000 sick call visits
per year. Additionally, about 1,000 State required physical
exams are performed annually. Services are provided 16 hours
per day, seven days per week.
Target Population
• The target population includes all wards of Fresno County
detention facilities
Service Delivery Location
Services are delivered at the following fixed locations. Space is
provided by the Fresno County Probation department.
• Fresno County Juvenile Hall, 744 South Tenth Street, Fresno
93702
en Collaboration
The program collaborates with the following agencies:
• Fresno County Human Services System -Communicable
Disease Division and Public Health Laboratory and Children
and Family Services.
• Fr'esno County Probation Department
COST CENTER 1683 -Elkhorn Correctional Facility
edical services for inmates and wards of the County's adult and
juvenile facilities are mandated by Title 15, Division IV, of the
California Code of Regulations. Inpatient medical care is
,provided through a contract with Community Hospitals of
tentral California.
Elkhorn Correctional Facility is the Jail Medical Services
facility. The facility has a census of 200 juveniles at this
outpatient medical care provided in the Elkhorn Correctional
is the same as the juvenile detention facilities and
• Medical care is essentially that provided by an "urgent care"
or "walk-in" clinic. This includes treatment of minor ailments
and injuries, X-ray services (provided on site by a mobile x
ray company), and patient education.
At the Elkhorn Correctional Facility there are approximately
4500 sick call encounters per year. Services are provided 16
hours per day, seven days per week.
Target Population
• The target population includes all wards of Fresno County
detention facilities
Service Delive Location
Services are delivered at the following fixed locations. Space is
provided by the Fresno County Probation Department.
• Fresno County Elkhorn Correctional Facility, 500 East Elkhorn
Avenue, Caruthers 93609
Agency Collaboration
The program collaborates with the following agencies:
• Fresno County Human Services System -Communicable
Disease Division and Public Health Laboratory and Children
and Family Services (Mental Health).
• Fresno County Probation Department
-
2003 Sheriff's Review 67
Correctional Officers
Javier Vital
Correctional Officer
Larry Westlund
Correctional Officer
Roy Vinton Kimberly Washington James Watts
Correctional Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Officer
David White
Cor'l'ectional Officer
68
Deedra Williams
Correctional Officer
Johnny Xiong
Correctional Officer
Ryan Whittle
Correctional Officer
Wendell Wilson
Correctional Officer
Paul Xiong
Correctional Officer
Michael Wibbles
Corr'ectional Officer
Arleen Wise
Correctional Officer
Pao Yang
Correctional Officer
Denver' Wilkerson
Correctional Officer
Vue Yang
Correctional Officer
Debra Williams
Correctional Officer
Za Yang
Correctional Officer
Correctional Officers
lupe Ybarra
Correctional Officer
Calvin Young
Correctional Officer
Richard Zolnay
Correctional Officer
Amelia Zuniga
Correctional Officer
Alex Ybarra
Correctional Officer
/
Hotdog Fundraiser in Courthouse Park
Sergeant Susan Watkins and
Correctional Officer Nancy Taylor
-
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
SHERIFF'S FOUNDATION FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL
WORK FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
MILES, SEARS & EANNI
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
2844 Fresno Street
Fresno, California 93721
(559) 486-5200
The Ed Jones Co.
2834 8 ST REET,
BERKELE , CA <:)4 71 0
(510) 704 0704
I NFO@ EDJONESCO.COM
In every badge:
service, quality,
tradition ... worn
with pride
and distinction ,
70
Jail Training Officers
By Lieutenant Kevin Peters
Wen hired to work as Correctional Officers or
Deputies in the Detention Facilities, most
persons have little or no experience in the field
of law enforcement or corrections. In order to protfuce
a professional, security-minded officer, they must
undergo an in-depth training program. The training that
the new Correctional Officer or Deputy receives should
prepare them forjillY situation that they may encounter
during a tour of duty.
CUlTently there are 74 Correctional Officers and Deputies
who are in various stages of the Jail Training Officer
(J.T.O.) program. This is a significant increase over
previous years where the average was approximately
35. This increase is a direct result of the expansion of
the North Annex Jail. Additionally, the introduction of 40
Deputies into the Detention Facilities has added to the
number of trainees in the program. We have 63
speciaJlytrained Jail Training Officers who are committed
to providing the necessary guidance and support to
allow their trainees to become productive members of
Department.
The J.T.O. Program is a twenty-three (23) week intensive
training program designed to provide on-the-job training
for new employees. During this time, lhe trainee is
assigned to work under the direct supervision of aJ.T.O.
The J.T.O. is required to complete daily evaluations for
each trainee. In order to make the training as meaningful
as possible for the new employee, it is important that it
be carefully planned and programmed to insure
maximum exposure. The Jail Training Officer Program
is constantly being updated to provide the most current
information available.
The importance the Sheriff's Department's values of
professionalism, accountability, commitment, integrity,
and trust are stressed throughout the program. At the
completion of the J.T.O. Program, trainees should
possess the basic skills, knowledge, and confidence to
perform their duties within the Detention Facilities as
productive members of the Fresno County Sheriff's
Department.
-
2003 Sherifrs Review 71
In loving memory of
~o/t/umP C;/:Z~
/
January 19, 1923 to November 11,2003
Frances, Michael, Vinci, Ralfi, Dani, Victor
Their spouses and his grandchildren
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FRESNO, CA 93722-9799
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S.E.R.T.
Security Emergency Response Team
By sgt. Susan Watkins
/
Fresno County Sheriff's Department Security
Emergency Response Team was first formed in
1983. The concept of the team was developed as
solution to the increasing problems created by the
population. In its beginning, S.E.R.T. consisted
nine members, one Lieutenant, one Sergeant and
officers. Today the team consists of one Lieutenant,
Sergeants and ten officers.
R.T. consists of officers who are assigned to the
UU"lllllY Detention Bureau as full time Correctional
S.E.R.T. is a part-time team that responds to
emergency call-outs in any of the four detention facilities,
as needed, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The team
trains 16 hours every quarter in a variety of weapons,
which include lethal weapons, less-lethal projectile
weapons, 42" riot baton, chemical agents, and light and
sound distraction devices.
S.E.R.T training also consists of a variety of tactical
situations that prepare them to respond and assist in
providing coordination, security, and resolution in the
event of an emergency, or unusual event that affects the
Detention Custody Bureau.
2003 Sheriff's Review 73
S.W.A.T.
Special Weapons and Tactics
By sgt. Matt Alexander
-n e Fresno County Sheriff's Department Special S.W.A.T. maintains proficiency in numerous techniques,
Weapons and Tactics Team was formed in including but not limited to the following: barricaded/
1975. At that time it consisted of eight deputies, armed suspect apprehension, hostage rescue
two sergeants, and two lieutenants. Today's team is techniques, open ar'ea searches, special security details,
comprised of 16 deputies, four sergeants and a lieutenant high-risk search warrant service, helicopter insertions/
(Team Commander Lt. Scott Jones). Twelve deputies extractions, sniper'/observeroperations, slow methodical
and three team leaders aI'e assigned to the entry building searches, community violence rapid
element and four deputies and one sergeant are assigned intervention, and rappelling. The primary weapon
to the seoul/sniper element. A Crisis Negotiations Team systems utilized by the team include the MP-5 and HK
(CNT) augments the team with five deputies and two 53/33 submachine guns, AR-15, Smith & Wesson duty
sergeants. pistol, 40 mm less lethal launcher, 37 mm gas
deployment system, M14 rifles, and H-S Precision
S.W.A.T. is a part-time team that trains two days and sniper weapon systems in .308 caliber, among others.
month and responds to callouts as needed. The team
specializes in apprehending suspects who have S.W.A.T. is dedicated to protect and serve our community
demonstrated violence toward law enforcement or the and fellow department members. Our mission is to
community, and where our specialized training and effectively bring violent or potentially violent incidents
equipment helps reduce the risks to all involved. The under control as quickly as possible with minimal risk
team is a resource available 24 hours a day to any unit to all involved.
within the department, region or state that has a
necessity for its use.
74
2003 Sheriff's Review 75
Deputies
Donald Abell Charles Almaraz T racy Alonzo Victor Alonzo Kirby Alstrom
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Jonathan Alvarado Randy Alvarez Joseph Amador Paul Andrews Linda Baker
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Paul Baker Frankie Barba David Barile Stanley Bayer Patrick Beggs
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Philip Bellefeuille Michael Belloli Ann Bennett Sylvia Bettencourt James Bewley
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
76
Deputies
Eric Cervantes
Deputy Sheriff
2003 Sheriff's Review
-
Paul Biswas Doug Bolton Daniel Branam Omar Briones
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Robert Buenrostro
Deputy Sheriff
Scott Caldera
Deputy Sheriff
Louis Brookman III
Deputy Sheriff
Shawn Buffer
Deputy Sheriff
Geoffrey Cantrell
Deputy Sheriff
Eddie Cantu John Capriola Robert Carey Oscar Carter
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
77
Deputies
Michael Chapman
Deputy Sheriff
Issac Cervantes Dewayne Chatman John Ciaccio
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Joel Cobb Brent Conley Salina Correa Todd Cotta Dana Crittenden
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
David Cunha
Deputy Sheriff
Chris Curtice
Deputy Sheriff
Brian Dau
Deputy Sheriff
Donna Davis Larry Davis Jason Deimerly Rigo Delacerda Manuel Delgado
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
78
Deputies
Jesus Diaz Jose Diaz
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Sheri Edmonds
Deputy Sheriff
Anthony Dixon Jeffrey Dodd Gregory Dolliver
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
James Dunn Robert Dutrow Mark Eaton
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Michael Edwards William Elliot Aaron Epperly
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Adam Esmay Juan Espinoza Eddie Essegian Michael Estrada
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
2003 Sheriff's Review 79
Deputies
Ronald Fierro Kevin Fitzgerald Manuel Flores Vincent Flores
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Henry Franco Vincent Frascona John Friend John Gamez
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Miguel Flores
Deputy Sheriff
Jason Fullenkamp
Deputy Sheriff
Raymond Garcia
Deputy Sheriff
Pete Garcia
Deputy Sheriff
Eric Garcia Rex Garcia
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
80
Area 1
By Lieutenant Neil Dadian
ea 1 is over 2400 square miles cover'ing wester'n
Fresno County and is one of two patrol areas in the ~outhwest Field Services Bureau. The Area 1
station is located in the City of San Joaquin. The Area
1 personnel compliment consists of 1 lieutenallt, 8
sergeants, 1 ofrice assistant, 4 community service
officers, and 34 deputy sheriffs. The men and women
assigned to this station pl'Ovide 24-hour patrol and
detective services, crime prevention, youth services
with deputy sheriffs assigned to local schools, Operation
Safe Streets, as well as a host of community liaison
functions. Lieutenant Neil Dadian is the Area 1
Commander.
Area 1 has within its boundaries six incorporated cities
Coalinga, Huron, San Joaquin, Kerman, Mendota, and
Firebaugh. The Fresno County Sher'iff is also the
contract law enforcement for the cities of San Joaquin
and Mendota.
In addition to the incorporated cities, Area 1 has a
number of unincorporated population centers.
Communities such as Tranquillity, Biola, Bryant, Oxalis,
Los Deltas, Five Points, Alkali Flats, Three Rocks,
Cantua Creek, and Dos Palos make for' a rich blend of
diverse population to an agr'icullural based economy.
Area 1 personnel have created partnerships with local
businesses, service organizations, the faith community,
schools, and individual citizens to problem solve and
improve the quality of life in the various communities.
These efforts have resulted in the T.A.G Program
(Teaming Against Gl'affili) wherein the business
community, citizen gr'oups, County Probation and the
Sheriff's Department have formed a partnership to
eliminate graffiti; and a new community maintained
park in Three Rocks.
The men and women assigned to Area 1 ~ontinue to
deepen our roots in the communities we serve and
strive to make a difference in quality of life issues, crime
prevention, and crime fighting efforts.
2003 Shel'iff's Review 81
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Area 2
Home of the Field Training Officers Program
By Deputy Brian Klassen
l e Field Training Program was responsible for the
training of 48 new patrol deputies who came to us
this year eager to work on the streets. Thff unit
operates from the Area 2 substation and is overseen by
the area commander, Lt. Colleen Mestas with the
assistance ofSgt.
Patrick Hanson
and sgt. Lou is
Hernandez. The
unit consists of
21 Field Training
Officers whose
goal it is to tmin
quality deputies
who will live up
to the high
standards of the
" lIIldlll Vincent,
Sullivan,
Dutrow, G I)' hanen, Frank Harper, Josh
I, Michael Jones, Timothy Juarez, Kelly Mayfield,
Lambert, Carl McSwain, Chris Curtice, Steven
, Greg De La Cerda, Isaac Torres, David
Tony Logan, and Tim Van Houwelingen.
field training program runs for 17 weeks. The first
weeks consists of orientation which includes a
of AFRjreport writing. After orientation the next
weeks are spent working with three FlO's for 4
each. These 12 weeks are spent working a beat
the goal of making each trainee a competent
~~IVP. solo beat deputy who is able to handle the
chaJlengesofworking patrol. During this time, the
receive daily evaluations and individualized
from their
FlO's. The last two weeks of the program are the
evaluation phase. Once this is successfully completed,
the trainee goes to Phase 3 where they work as a solo
beat deputy for 16 weeks. In this phase, they receive
weekly evaluations from their sgt.'s and the F.T.O. unit.
Throughout the
program,
trainees have
regular training
days where they
learn how to
handle specific
calls, field tactics,
the· COPPS
philosophy, and
how to exemplify
,~-..-the departments
mission vision
and values by
servi ng thei r
communities in
ways other than
traditional
year
working, motivated trainees who we anticipate will go
on to have long successful careers with our department.
Along with training new deputies, the FlO Unit seeks to
further develop the skills and knowledge of its FlO's.
Several of the FlO's were able to receive further training
by attending training schools themselves. In 2003, we
have seen several FlO's go on to other specialty units
of their choice or promote to sgt. This has left us with
an ongoing need for motivated hard working deputies
to join the unit and help us train the next generation of
deputies.
2003 Sheriff's Review 83
Area 3
By Community Service Officer Maria Pena
Area 3 Property Detectives
In addition to our Area Three personnel we have now
extended our family to include the AG Task Force.
sgt. Frances Devins is in charge of this particular
unit. She supervises five Detectives, one CHP Officer
and one Community Service Officer. The AG Task Force
is one of the many specialty units commanded by Lt.
Johnson.
AI'ea three is located at 1055 S. Goldenstate in Selma,
California. It covers over 940 square miles and serves
apPl'Oximately 120, 000 people. Our area ofjurisdiction
is from Jameson Avenue to Friant / Kern Canal and from
American Avenue and the outskirts of Fresno and Clovis
to the Kings River.
Other communities in our boundaries with their own
police departments are Reedley, Sanger, Parlier, Selma,
Fowl~I' and Kingsburg. DUI'ing special events we combine
OUl' Departments and work togethel' as a team. Some of
these events include Red Ribbon Week, Bikes 4 Tikes
and The Drug Store just to mention a few.
Additionally, Al'ea Three deputies service the communities
of Laton, Del Rey, Riverdale, Cal'Uthel's, Orange Cove,
Easton and Centerville. These communities have theil'
own special events, such as Orange Cove Haunted
Halloween House, Laton Rodeo, Rivel'dale Rodeo and
the Caruthers Fail'. The Caruthers Fair is the lal'gest
free-gate fair in Califomia and bl'ings up to 100,000
visitor's and is virtually cl'ime-fl'ee. It's a gl'eat place for'
families to relax and enjoy themselves.
Foster and sgt. Shawn EI'win. WatchTwo is
compromisedof The Community & Youth Services Unit,
which is supervised by sgt. Carl'eiro the Pl'Opel'ty
Detective Unit is composed of sgt. Lee Rosander and
four Detectives. The Detectives do in-depth investigations
ofvarious crimes, including robbery bUl'glary and theft.
sgt. Michael Thobe and sgt. Michael Chapman ovel'see
the Watch Two Patrol Unit. Watch Three is supervisedby
sgt. Dale Baumann and sgt. Tom Albel'da. Holly Chikato
is our dedicated office assistant.
There are forty Deputy Shel'iffs in Al'ea Thl'ee who are
responsible for providing patrol services to the al'ea.
These Deputies answer calls-for' -service, respond ,to
emergencies and patrol the streets to ensUl'e the safety
of our community. AI'ea Three also has a telephone
report CSO who answers non pl'iol'ity calls. This position
requires taking reports ovel' the phone and on occasion
in person, which allows the Deputies to answel' prior'ity
calls.
In addition to the forty Deputies, AI'ea Thl'ee has 11
Youth Service Deputies who work with students, their
parents and school pel'sonnel in the twenty-one
elemental'Y, three mid-dle and four high schools that lie
within the boundal'ies of Area Thl'ee.
One of the Patrol Deputies is assigned to work in the
Housing Authority complexes in the communities of
Ol'ange Cove, Laton and Del Rey. He divides his time
between the thl'ee communities and has built a bond
with the families.
The five Community Services Officers assigned to the
area assist the Deputies and Detectives in their crime
pl'evention effol'ts. The CSO's duties include
Neighborhood Watch, Citizen's Patrol, Opel'ation 1.0.,
Owner Applied Number (OAN.), Home and Business
SecUl'ity Inspections, Canvassing, Fingel' Printing and
working with the Community on other cl'ime pl'evention
programs.
Area Thl'ee Deputies and CSO's are proud to be part of The personnel of Al'ea Three work as a collective team
these events.Area thl'ee is commanded by Lt. Femando to make sUl'e that the citizens of its diverse communities
Lopez. Our Watch One sergeants include sgt. BI'ent are safe and secUl'e.
Area 4: Auberry Substation
By Lieutenant Toby Rien
/
ea IV comprises the eastern mountain region of
Fresno County. The elevation of Area IV fluctuates
. reatly and covers approximately 2,734 square ~
miles. Within the Area are several small-populated rural
communities, which are serviced by the Northeast Field
Services Bureau. The area encompasses numerous
lakes, rivers and recreation areas.
~~~I specialty units including Search & Rescue Unit,
Unit, Dive Team, Off Road Vehicle Unit
Deputy Erik Telen Monument at Area 4 substation
It is the responsibility of the Area Commander to further
the Department's Mission, Vision and Value statement
and provide quality law enforcement services to the
mountain community. The Area Commander supervises
a major organizational division and is expected to be a
liaison with other law enforcement agencies and all
other emergency service agenCies. The Area Commander
also acts as a liaison with the community to implement
and further the Community Policing and Problem
Solving philosophy adopted by the Fresno County
Sheriff Department. This is imperative in establishing
and maintaining a partnership with the community in
order to provide excellent law enforcement services,
reduce crime and increase the quality of life for the
people we serve. 2003 Sheriff's Review 85
Deputies
James George
Deputy Sheriff
Erich Garringer Bradley Gattie Ryan Gilbert
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Dennis Gillette
Deputy Sheriff
Raymond Giudici John Golden Anthony Gomez Daniel Gomez
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Patricia Gonzalez Glen Green Thomas Grilione Aaron Grinstead
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Romeo Grajeda
Deputy Sheriff
Anthony Hadley
Deputy Sheriff
Joshua Hamilton Darin Hamman
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
86
Deputies
Robert Harley
Deputy Sheriff
Mark Harris
Deputy Sheriff
Kyle Heady
Deputy Sheriff
Paul Haros
Deputy Sheriff
Melanie Hathaway
Deputy Sheriff
Michael Hernandez
Deputy Sheriff
Frank Harper
Deputy Sheriff
Randall Haw
Deputy Sheriff
Robert Hicks
Deputy Sheriff
Christopher Harris
Deputy Sheriff
Vashie Hawkins
Deputy Sheriff
Donald Hill
Deputy Sheriff
John Harris
Deputy Sheriff
Quintin Hawkins
Deputy Sheriff
Brian Hillis
Deputy Sheriff
Jeffery Hooper
Deputy Sheriff
Jason Hollins
Deputy Sheriff
2003 Sheriff's Review 87
Deputies
David Horne
Deputy Sheriff
Bo Houngviengkham William Hudson Ryan Hushaw Greg Issac
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Douglas Jackson, JI'.
Deputy Sheriff
Ivan Janssens John Johnson Kent Jones Michael Jones
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Timothy Juarez
Deputy Sheriff
Kenneth Kalar Jeffrey Kertson Jerry Kitchens Brian Klassen
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Jim Lail
Deputy Sheriff
Beckie Lambert Daniel Larralde Dana Lee
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
88
Deputies
Bryan Lehman Linda Lenton
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
John Mackie
Deputy Sheriff
Philip Lodge Kevin Lolkus Jose Lomelli
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Jamie Loredo James Lyman Jeffrey Lynn
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Arthur Maldonado Daniel Manriquez Paul Marquez
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Daniel Martin Frank Martinez Jess Martinez
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
2003 Sheriff's Review 89
Deputies
John Martinez
Deputy Sheriff
Robert Martinez Karey Mason Edgar Mateo Stephen Mathias
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Ervin Mathias
Deputy Sheriff
Kelly Mayfield Edward Mayo Sabrina McArthur Joshua McCahill
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
James McCormick
Deputy Sheriff
Pat Mclean Matthew McNab Carl McSwain Brien Melkonian
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Matthew Mil/son
Deputy Sheriff
James Minenna Homero Montalvo Michael Montanez
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
90
Deputies
Cory Montgomery Anthony Montiel Connie Moore Scott Moore Sher Moua
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Christopher Nelson Patrick O'Brien Patrick Oh David Olivares, Sr. Oludolapo Olubeko
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Richard Papazian Allen Passmore Troy Paul Eric Penland
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
2003 Sher'iff's Review 91
"Th B,sf i ll f hl BI/un, /"
Do
Atto""t Ex (IIIiI)
62 16 51111 r A 11111 Car",j&Da ~ CA. 95608 J
888 521 6946 91 6.944.8449 DLEE@,II,reolJl.",1
DUt CT 'AC ILl
E
Department of Community Health
Moms and Kids Hotline: ................................................................................. J-800-640-0333
Children's Dental Services: ........................................................................... J-866-445-2795
Breast Cancer Education: ..............................................................................J-888-790-8500
Immunizations for Children and Adults:.....................................................................445-3550
Lead Testing for Children: ......................................................................................445-328J
Birth &: Death Certificates: ...................................................................... ............. 445-33J0
Servicesfor Children with Special Needs: .................................................................445-3300
Information for Pregnant Women: .......................................................................... 445-4J27
TB, HIY, STD Testing and Services:........................................................................ 445-3434
Refugee Health Screening: ........................................ '" ...................." ................... 445-3309
Health &: Safety Education: ........................................ '" ........,.............................. 445-3276
Tobacco Prevention: ................................................................... ....................... 445-3276
Rabies/Animal Control: ..... ................................ ............... ................................... 445-3357
Consumer Food Protection: ................................................................................. 445-3357
Substandard Housing Complaints: .......................................................................... 445-3357
For general information, please call
445-0666 1221 Fulton Mall
Human Services System
Department ofCommunity Health . www.fresoohumaoServices.org Fresno, CA 93721
92
Woody Andrade Shoot 2003
In 1990, [Iwayne Andrade suffered a stroke and died
at the age of 52. Woody, as we all came to know him,
had been the department's rangemaster during the
1980's, and was known for his hard work and soft
heart. All those in and out of the department came to
respect and enjoy his helpful and pleasant personality.
had also been a Sher'iff's Reserve Captain since
4, After his death, the Sher'iff's Reserve Unit built
dedicated a memorial that stands in front of the
range control tower'. Also in his name, the
Andrade Memorial Shooting Competition was
year, the Sher'iff's Training Unit hosts the shooting
It is held in honor of Woody's great wor'k,
devotion to the training of our department's
Woody Andl'ade Shoot 2002
Jessie Gloria, John Copher and Steve McComas
personnel. This competition awards shooting pins
r'ecognizing the department's best shooters. Those
shooting pins are worn on our duty uniforms to show
the officer's shooting abilities, and also as a small
memorial to Woody.
This year, the Tl'aining Unit invited family members to
watch the shooting competition and enjoy a BBQ picniC
lunch provided by the FDSA and Aramark. Family
members also viewed displays of department equipment,
such as the SWAT Peacekeeper', Mobile Command Post,
Dive Team Van, and Boating Unit watercraft. Family
members also tested their skills in the FATS tr'aining
room. All those who attended had a great time, and the
Tr'aining Unit hopes that next year's memor'ial will be an
even bigger' tribute to Woody Andrade.
2003 Sheriff's Review 93
Deputies
Jesus Perez
Deputy Sheriff
Robert Perez Dwight Pel'ry Chantha Phrachanhsay Mark Pinkston
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Jon Pino Lewis Pipkin Scott Plann Frank Puente Javier Puente
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Shirley Pursell Sean Quinn Michael Quintanilla Lucia Ramon David Raquenio
Deputy Sheriff Depuly Sheriff Depuly Sheriff Depuly Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
George Razo
Deputy Sheriff
Louis Reba Juan Reyes Danielle Richardson
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Depuly Sheriff
94
Deputies
Virginia Rodriguez
Deputy Sheriff
Ronald Rossi
Deputy Sheriff
Israel Rubalcava
Deputy Sheriff
Jorge Ruiz
Deputy Sheriff
Robert Rusche
Deputy Sheriff
ReynaJdo Saldana
Deputy Sheriff
Jose Salinas
Deputy Sheriff
Gurjeet Sandhu
Deputy Sheriff
Robert Santos
Deputy Sheriff
Eric Schmidt
Deputy Sheriff
Gar'Y Schmidt
Deputy Sheriff
2003 Sheriff's Review 95
Douglas Richardson
Deputy Sheriff
-/----
Timothy Rivera
Deputy Sheriff
Earl Richardson Jimmy Robnett
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Deputies
Vicky Scott Matthew Sellai Geoffery Shanen Greg Siemens Michael Sill
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Brian Simonian Andrew Simonson Jeffrey Simpson
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Steven Souphasita John Souza Christopher Stearns
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
96
Jeff Stricker Douglas Sullivan
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Deputies
Larry Swain Randall Swiney David Tafoya Todd Talent Wesley Tanner
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Shel'iff
Isaac Torres Sergio Toscano Myron Toste David Trevino Jeffery Truschel
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Wayne Tucker
Deputy Sheriff
Christopher Tullus Timothy Van Houwelingen Leslie Van Meter
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
2003 Sheriff's Review 97
William Vanderberg
Deputy Sheriff
Deputies
William Vincent Joel Wahlen maier Allen Weathers Hardin Weaver Dennis Weibert
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
James White Carlin Williams Robert Woodrum Robert Worstein Phia Xiong
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
Neng Xiong Hugh Yang Manuel Ybarra Art Ybarra John Zanoni
Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Deputy Sheriff
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Ca ll our Fresno office at (559) 447-1725 or Clovis office at (559) 325-1321.
....IIORIZED IRSI JACKSON JJJ!!l'.!"1
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;
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Most offices arc independently O\"ned and operated.
The Sheriff's Foundation would like to thank
Above & Beyond Auto Body
for painting the Sheriff's Department race car
at Blackbeards Family Fun Center
Dale Pentacost
1568 N. Sierra Vista
Fresno, CA 93705
2003 Sheriff's Review 99
Fresno County Sheriff's Department
K9 Unit
Retired Department K9, "Korsar"
By sgt. Dale Baumann
In November 2003, the Fresno County Sheriff's
Department officially retired canine "KOI'Sar". "Korsar",
an 80 pound black German Shepherd had been with
the unit since the spring of 1999. He had been originally
purchased from Selma Police Office Tim Cox. The funds
for the purchase came through a donation from the Sun
Maid Kennel Club.
"Korsar" was initially assigned to Deputy John Reynolds,
who had been forced to retire his canine "Ranger" due
to hip and back problems. After Deputy Reynolds left the
unit, "Korsar" was assigned to Deputy Kent Matsuzaki.
Deputy Matsuzaki worked "Korsar" until he left the unit
in the fall of 2002. At that time, "Korsar" was reassigned
to Deputy Donna Davis. She worked "Korsar" until
October 2003.
"Korsar" was initially purchased and imported into this
county by "Adler Hurst", a canine vender. He was also
trained and certified in the canine sport of "Schutzhound".
DUI',ing his service with the canine unit, "Korsar" had
numerous, successful deployments and apprehensions.
His last apprehension came in September 2003 when
Deputy Davis used him on a PC 487 in progress.
"Korsar" searched a large vineyard where he located
and detained one suspect!
After his retirement at the age of ten (dob 102093),
ready
"Korsar" was given back to Deputy Matsuzaki for a
deserved rest. "Korsar"-was last seen, excitedly ju
in the cab of Deputy Matsuzaki's truck,
another adventure!
1
UE
th_
an
as
Tb
Oi
100
K-9 Unit
By Deputy Jennifer Evans
,
Sheriff's Department K9 unit has undergone
many changes in the past few months. We have
had a new Sergeant, sgt. Dale Baumann and new
U. Jeff Johnson assigned to the unit. Also
Sheriff has decided to purchase dual purpose K9's
these new dogs are trained for patrol work as well
explosive ordinance detection.
new EOn dogs are a novelty in the central San
Valley. Sheriff Pierce, recognizing a need for
security the bomb-sniffing dogs can provide and
that there were none available locally, has
lIII~ned our department to fill the void by replacing
K·9s with the dual-purpose dogs.
the sheriff's department ,K-9 Unit has primarily
German Shepherd dog breed in the past, the
new dogs are representative of the Belgian
breed that has become more prevalent in the
today. The vendors explain that the Malinois
With its high drive, is used extensively in Europe
and police work, thus breeders have switched
Indeed, it has become more difficult to
-.,...Qn shepherds.
3 new handlers, Ryan Hushaw, Julie Williams
Evans went to Florida along with
Deputy IV John Golden. The training school was a
three-Iweek course, which focused on patrol and EOD
training. The training was put on by Universal K9. The
class was an intensive course, which consisted of 12 to
14 hour training days 5 days week. So far, the new K9s
have done well and the unit is adapting to the change
of having dual=purpose dogs. The rest of the handlers,
Deputy IV Donna Davis, Todd Tatent, Kyle Heady and Jeff
Hooper have really had to put in some extra work with
all the new handlers to ensure us new guys are getting
up to speed. As a unit we are looking forward to the new
direction the department is taking us.
The K-9 Unit says a fond farewell to Senior Handler and
Trainer, Deputy IV John Golden. Deputy Golden has
worked for the sheriff's department for over 20 years
and has been a K-9 handler for the past 17 years.
Handling five different sheriff's department K-9s,
attending many police service dog schools and assisting
with the training of the department's K-9s, Deputy
Golden developed a proficiency in handling the many
training issues that develop. Deputy Golden could
always be counted on to handle the public relations
demonstrations the Unit Iperforms each year and was
often specifically requested by the civic groups and
schools that knew him.
2003 Sheriff's Review 101
Fresno County Sheriff's
Department's Mounted lJnit
'e Fresno County Sheriff's Department Mounted asl Patrol Unit, which was originally established in
1997, is in its sixth year of operation. The Mounted
Unit originally consisted of a Sergeant and volunteer
Reserve Deputies, all of which utilized their own horses.
Today, the Mounted Unit consists of a Sergeant, three
Deputies, and four Resef'Ve Deputies. Although the
Resef'Ves still mosUy use their own horses, a few years
ago, the County purchased four of it's own horses.
Both the Deputies and horses must successfully complete
a 40-hour P.O.S.T. certified training course prior to
being deployed. Members of the Unit continue to train
individually, as well monthly with the entire Unit
These training sessions consist of basic horsemanship,
formations/crowd control, and sensory training.
The Mounted Patrol Unit is a very versatile
Members of the Unit patrol all areas of the Cou
including but not limited to, Shopping Malls,
neighborhoods, County Parks, Special Events,
Presentations, and Static Displays. The Unit is
suited as both a Public Relations tool and basic
Enforcement function.
102
as
Fresno County Sheriff's Posse
Search and Rescue lJnit
By Secretary Garney Meadows
pproximately fifty percent of the geogl'aphical
•••m\~,uofFresno County is mountainous remote
inaccessible by conventional means. Fresno
stretches from the crest of the Sierr'a Nevada
the east to the San Joaquin mountains west of
The Sheriff is r'esponsible for the protection
ing for lost persons and evacuating ill or
persons in these r'emote locations.
these responsibilities, approximately thirty
public use increased, the Sheriff's
created the Fresno County Sheriff's Posse
Search and Rescue Unit. Members of the unit have the
ability and experience to access the mountainous areas
of Fresno County.
The Posse is a volunteer group dedicated to the
successful search and r'escue of individuals lost or in
the need of help in these remote areas of Fr'esno County.
Our' volunteers are highly tr'ained and motivated
individuals that provide their own hOl'ses, mules, trucks
and trailers. We work directly under the direction of the
Fresno County Sheriff's Department.
2003 Sheriff's Review 103
Law Enforce 'ment Torch Run for
Special Olympics
By u. Davlid Kurtze
l e Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
is the largest grassroots fund raising program and
public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics.
The Torch Run is a global event with all 50 states and
over 30 foreign countries participating. Most people
think of the Law Enforcement Torch Run as a one-time
event that takes place every year. Although the actual
running of the torch is a once-a-year event, there are a
number of different activities that take place throughout
the year. These events include: Tip-A-Cops, Rooftop
Sits, Golf Tournaments and T-shirt sales.
The actual running of the torch through Fresno County
takes place in early June prior to the Special Olympic
Summer Games in Stockton. The torch is received from
Tulare County in Kingsburg and then it is ran through
the county to the Shops at River Park where it is handed
off to Madera County. The following members of our
department participated in the running of the to
Erick Boggs, Alex Chagoya, John Copher, Chris De
Garza, Richard Egbuziem, Lucy Fuentez, David
Ramiro Rodriguez, Virginia Rodriguez and Tim
Houwelingen.
Tim Van Houwelingen
For information on
any of the Torch Run
activities contact U.
David Kurtze at 488-H!-....
2590 or Lorraine
Christianson at 497
3790.
104
Thank you to the Gold Heart Service Award
winners for all their hard work and
dedication to the Fresno County Sheriff's
Department Offender Programs .
.,,_.-:;:,
The following individuals were honored at
our annual Volunteer Appreciation
Luncheon:
Gerald Llewellyn-Dedicated M volunteer
Cathey Jensen-Dedicated NA Volunteer
Arlene Kalchik-Dedicated Matthew 25
Volunteer
Pete Trevino-Dedicated Valley Missions
Volunteer
Glenn and Myrna Davis-Honored for their
years of dedication and service to the inmate
population
Mark Bertelli-Honored for his presence and
thanks for his time and energy
2003 Sheriirs Review 105
l
11
The Fresno County Sheriff's Air
Squadron: 1938 to 2003
By Retired lieutenant Richard White
s
s
e
tt
f(
kl
rr
U
fli
D
d
Q March 1, 1938, a group of Fresno County
ilots and other aviation-minded men met with
Sheriff George Overholt to form a search party to
look for a lost TWA aircraft assumed to have crashed
somewhere northeast of Fresno. Jack Schneider, an
aircraft business operator based at Chandler Field, flew
his plane, the only aircraft then available.
A Fresno radio repairman, Bob Schuler, installed a
radio communications transmitter and receiver on the
top of the Pacific Southwest Building in downtown
Fresno. A portable radio in a car was stationed at Pine
Ridge to provide weather and other information between
these two points. A telephone link between Chandler
Field andlhe Sheriff's Department completed the system.
After nine days of searching in deteriorating weather it
was determined that the plane was not in our county.
Later that year the plane was located in the High Sierras
several hundred miles north of Fresno.
After this original search , those involved in the operation
held occasional meetings in Schneider's hangar to
discuss forming a unit to continue this type of program.
In the earlY months of 1939, the Aero Squadron , as it
was then known, was formally organized. The Sheriff
deputized the group as an auxiliary unit of the Sheriffs
Department. Undersheriff Jack Tarr, was the first
Commander of the newly formed volunteer unit. Until
1953 the Aero Squadron was headed by various
members of the Sheriff's Department. Since 1953 the
Commander of the Aero Squadron has been elected
from the volunteer membership of the Squadron with a
deputy Liaison Officer appointed by the Sheriff, and with
the Sheriff always as the Chief Officer of the Squadron. gI
The Fresno County Aero Squadron was renamed the
Fresno County Air Squadron in the 1950's and became
the first uniformed group of all county law enforcement
agencies. The tradition of being uniformed continues to
the present day with the uniform approved by the
Shm'iff and regulated by the Department Uniform Policy
to keep Squadron members in uniforms comparable to
members of the Sheriff's Department. While the uniform
has changed over the years, the mission of the Air
Squadron has always been availability and performance.
Several of the founding members of the Air Sq
TI
81
S
PI
(~
l
al
106
still attend meetings on occasion and par'ticipate in the
social activilies of the Squadr'on.
The excellent fOl'esight of thc Sheriff's Department in
establishing the Air Squadron has been confirmed
thousands of times dur'ing the 63 years since it was
formed. Unfortunately, no comprehensive record was
kept of the missions flown, the lives saved and the
monetary savings to the citizens of Fresno County. From
the very beginning, the Air Squadron has been very
flexible, adapting to the needs of the Sher'iff's Department.
During World War II Squadron members Hlled in for the
deputies on active duty with the military, performing
radio dispatch duties, driving patrol cars, manning the
jail and perfornyng most duties of a full time officer
while maintaining their own careers until the deputies
returned. The role of the squadron quickly returned to
","",·Ii""... after the war and the volunteer's continued to
participate in more and demanding missions. Airbol'l1e
reconnaissance, photo flights of cr'ime scenes, assisting
In the apprehension of fugitives while airborne,
lIance of narcotics transactions, and a myriad of
duties evolved as needed. During the 1960's Air
llinlllulrfln per'sonnel flew as co-pilots with Sheriff'salso
has been made available to other law enforcement
Sheriff's Department was quick to utilize the Air
immediately following the disaster of
lDtenllber 11,2001, and provided terrorism training to
members of the squadron over a period of four
The Air Squadron was airborne, while other
aircraft were grounded, doing S.A.A.T. flights,
Airborne Anti-terrorist Team) , identifiable by
SHERIFF markings on the bottom of their
wings, making them clearly visible from the
Squadron Airplanes also have Sher'iff's stars on
~u"'[ilaJ;'" or tail. S.A.A.T. pilots continue to 1'ly a large
number' of surveillance mrssrons to this day. The
S.A.A.T. pilots logged many hundreds of hour's patrolling
more than 200 county locations that would be appealing
to terrOl'ists.
Prior to September' 11,2001, the Sheriff's Air Squadron
had embarked on another' adventure which had been
tried unsuccessfully several times in the past. The
E.A.G.L.E (Enhanced Air to Ground Law Enforcement)
program was developed and implemented by Air
Squadron members. The enthusiasm for this program
was readily apparent by the members who had Sheriff's
radios installed in their airplanes to make communication
with Sheriff ground units easier and more professional.
One member had his airplane painted in the official
Sheriff's Department colors. In addition to partiCipating
in patrol of high crime rate areas, public parks,
recreational lakes and rivers as well as tracking fleeing
suspects in speeding vehicles, the E.A.G.L.E. pilots have
actually landed at airports near to deputies and assisted
in the making of arrests. E.A.G.L.E. pilots have eal'l1ed
the respect of deputy patrolmen and Sher'iff dispatcher's
alike as evidenced by the number' of times they are
requested to assist or to over-fly a pl'Oblem and r'eport
back to headquar'ters.
During its 63 year history, the members of The Fresno
County Sheriff's Air Squadron have participated in
hundreds of airborne searches, vehicle surveillance's,
narcotics transactions, locating of marijuana gardens,
transporting prisoner's, transporting deputies to crime
scenes or court appearances in and out of State and
hundreds of non-flying public relations events. For this
invaluable service, the Air Squadron members have
received the greatest of compensations; that is the
satisfying knowledge that they render a needed service
to the Sheriff of Fresno County and to the people of
Fresno County.
2003 Sheriff's Review 107
Search and Rescue
By Deputy Eric Schmidt
The Fresno County Search and Rescue Team training on the Squaw Leap bridge on the
San Joaquin River.
other year has come and gone for the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue ~earn (SAR). Some are not aware of what the SAR
Team's actually does. This team is tasked with the
highest of stress levels, with time not being on their
side, to rescue or recover people who have fallen in
harms way. When a mission starts, and the callouts are
made, these 14 Deputy Sheriff's have to leave their
families and current assignments, for the purpose of
finding lost or injured people. The team deals with all
types of weather and must be proficient with our
equipment and training. Being on SAR is a TEAM effort.
The team trains once a month in a multitude of areas
to fine tune the skills needed for a successful search
and rescue. We have two, three-day trainings (winter
and summer) which are scenario based. This is the time
all team members come together and utilize all resources
in a somewhat controlled environment.
The SAR Team is made up of the following personnel
who organize and a carry out each SAR mission. A
Lieutenant, Three Sergeants, Fourteen Deputy Sheriff's,
One Scribe, One Cook and over One-Hundred volunteers
who fall under the classification of Mountaineers,
Horse Posse, Jeep Squadron, Snowmobiler's, and Aero
Squadron. These people are as dedicated as anybody.
They leave their families and other jobs to volunteer
their time for the same cause.
The start of 2003 we brought on four new Deputies to
the team. Joe Smith, John Zanoni, Chris George and
John Capriola. They replaced Steve Meiuner, Ron Hunt,
and Tim Herzog who all left the team in December of
2002. Deputy Mike Jones also returned to the team,
replacing Ron Hunt as the scribe in the Command Post.
Deputy Phil Bellefeuille continues to prepare the best
meals on those long and tiring missions.
Two of our supervisors also stepped down in the early
months of 2003. Lt Greg Burton and sgt Bill Dryden
both retired in February 2003. We all wish them well.
Three nice additions were Foster Womble and Greg
Collins, both returning to the team as Supervisors. Also
Lt. Nelson Beazley returned as the SAR Commander.
The first part of the year started out with some new
equipment. Two new snowmobiles were added in
January. They are Polaris 700's, with a 144-inch long
108
track. These machines are the top of the line and can
be used to climb nearly vertical. These machines are
equipped with several upgr'ades, to suit our purpose.
The radio system was custom designed with a hard
mounted radio, just like our patrol cars. The helmets we
wear, have speakers and microphone built into I,hem,
and plug right into I,he radio. The month of March we
purchased two more Polaris machines identical to the
first two and outfitted the same.
In the winter months we were kept pretty steady with
SAR missions. In all the missions, all victims were found
safe and in good shape. The team members and
equipment once again proved themselves. Our winter
training was a ~lJccess with many different scenarios
that tested our skills in several different ways. Lots of
snow and 10 degree temperaturess made for long
nights in the field!
In the spring we assisted on an Office of Emergency
Services call in Madera County, regarding a missing
female. This was the first mission for most of the new
members and all responded very well. Once again the
Fresno SAR team proved itself when responding to
another county's call.
The summer months have started with mission after
mission, and will most likely continue throughout the
summer and _fall months, as people become negligent
while out recreating.
The Search and Rescue team is kept very busy all year.
Between all the trainings, demonstrations, and callouts,
as a team member you have to constantly be ready for
anything. Joining the SAR team is a positive choice to
make in one's career. And if that jobline comes out and
you are interested I invite you to accept the challenge!!!
__~""",!!"",,,~-,ro:;;::rw::=-:-~_'=l"T"-~~.-rw~ Be Safe and Take Care.
Deputy Eric Schmidt with Search and Rescue demonstration at 2003 Sheriff's Review 109
DARE Camp in June of 2003.
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"Professional SeMces In A Professlonat Manne("
110
........ III
nal
Boating
LJnit
T:e Fresno County Sheriff's Department Boating provide free-of-charge vessel inspections of the required
Enforcement Unit (BEU) is responsible for enforCing safety equipment, and give away free boating information
state and county regulations relating to boating pamphlets. The BEU provides thousands of these
and recreation acHvities on the county's waterways. It pamphets and booklets each year to those interested in
Is also responsible for all search and rescue incidents water recreation.
that occur on or in non-whitewater bodies of water.
Another way the BEU helps to educate the public is by
BEU's main objective is to provide a safe recreational going into elementary school classrooms and teaching
ity for an water users. The Boating Unit has children about water safety.
able to accomplish this objective through a pro-
educational and enforcement program. One of During the summer boating season, you will often find
goals is to contact as many boaters and water users a deputy shel'iff patrolling Huntington, Shaver, Pine
possible, and educate violators of state and county Flat, Redinger, and Millerton Lakes, and the Kings
River.
Unittries to prevent accidents and dangerous Please contact the Boating Unit at 488-3924 for more
through education and enforcement. Besides information.
on the water, other ways we provide the public
opportunities is by attending as
M:Qmmlunity events as possible. At these events, we
2003 Sheriff's Review 111
Search and Rescue
Mountaineering Tearn
By sgt. Bill Dryden, retired
l e Search and Rescue Mountaineer Team is
comprised of appl'Oximately 30 men and women
from diverse backgrounds. Although categorized
as civilian disaster workers, they are an integral
component of the Fresno County Search and Rescue
(SAR? Team. They have a vast amount of mountaineer'ing
experience, ranging from rock and rope rescues, to
swift water recoveries. The Mountaineers are the
"ground pounders" of the volunteers, combining a
coordinated team effort with technical skills.
The Mountaineer group was initially for'med
appl'Oximately 19 years ago when they were originally
members of the Nordic Ski Patrol group. During the
winter of 1984, the Nordic Ski Patrol gr'oup offered to
assist in a search for a lost person. That following
spring, the group was requested to form a summer
volunteer Mountaineer group to assist in Search and
Rescue. In 1985, the group incor'porated under a non
profit status. In 2002, they dropped their non-profit
status and became incor'porated under' the umbrella of
the Sheriff's Foundation for' Public Safety.
112
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As in any other' part of the Sheriff's Department, the
Mountaineers have a structur'e of command. The Board
of Directors, or "command staff" is comprised of the lJnh
Commander, the Training Officer, the Secretary,
se
rescues
Treasurer, and the chosen Member-at-Lar·ge. There
also a liaison officer (either a deputy or
assigned by the Sheriff. Each member of the co
staff has their own area of r'esponsibility in support
direction of the overall team.
The Mountaineers train once a month and participate
both the winter and summer three-day Search
Rescue training exercises. They train har'd in the
environments in which searches and
One of their yearly outings consists of a fanny pack
The challenge is to stay overnight with only the
they're able to carry in a fanny pack. The
experience is augmented by combining the c
with CUiTent continuing searches (cases in which
person was never found and additional area <'nrlmo"
are searched). These ovel'l1ight fanny pack trips
even more interesting when inclement weather'
-r'ain, snow, or extr'eme cold. A true survival nvn'."·'£,....
The group is diverse, and the team is compl'ised of
members with a wide variety of pel'sonalities and skills.
As a technical rescue team, the Mountaineers have the
skills necessary for low-and high-angle rescue operations.
Experience and expertise in rope knots and rope
mechanics is extremely irnpOl'tant, not only for the
safety of the sear'chers, but for the safe extraction of the
lost or injw'ed party. Familiar'ity with the hardware and
rigging is constantly stressed in training exer'cises. ,
Alarge number' of the individuals on the team are expert
man-trackers. Several of the members are qualified as
instructors and often teach man-tl'acking classes to
SAR Deputy perst)nnel, as well as other SAR volunteers.
These skills are invaluable in the course of a sear'ch, in
the victim's shoe tracks or footprints ar'e
;Uls(;overeo. Man-trackers can literally r'ead tracks.
a tracking stick with specific measw'ing
1fti'''''IJ''. they can track an individual thl'Ough all forms
terrain. And surprisingly enough, they prefer to track
night when the tl'acks on the ground are more visible
oblique or LED lighting.
most member's are experienced backpackers,
and mountaineers, they also have a wide
variety of other skills, including swift water' rescue,
cl'Oss-country skiing, snow shoeing, triage (there is a
doctor, a nurse practitioner, and two EMrs on the
team), land navigation and OI'ienteering with map,
compass, and high-tech GPS units. Their experience
allows them to work safely and comfortably in challenging
and hazardous wilderness situations. Along with
theirskills, they also cOOl'dinate and communicate well
as a team and help to educate the public. Member's from
the team tea~h a Map and Compass course at the local
Global Map Store. The Mountaineers are also r'esponsible
for the "Hug-a-Tr'ee" program, making presentations to
elementary schools, youth groups, and local chw'ches.
The Mountaineer's are often inter'spersed with Search
and Rescue Deputies in the "ground pounding" work.
Some of them are fully capable of commanding a search
and are often chosen as team leaders on assignments.
Many of them have years of experience and SAR
training, which makes them especially suited for the
Incident Command System (lCS) in planning, logistics,
and operations. Several members have attended the
Office of Emergency Service's forty-hour' Search
Management course and are called upon to assist other'
counties thl'Oughout the State during mutual aid requests.
'
High Trails Reunion
By sgt. Bill Dryden
e High Trails Reunion is primarily coordinated ~and supported by the Fresno County Sheriff's
. . Department Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteer
units -Jeeps, Posse, and Mounta.ineers, as well as other
4-wheeler clubs. The event is held at the Voyager Rock
Campground at Courtright Lake in August of each year.
Located in the heart of the Sierra Nevadas, the event is
ol'iented towards providing care and mountain
experiences to those who would not normally have the
opportunity to do so -physically handicapped (paraplegics
and quadriplegics) and the mentally challenged. It is a
memorable wilderness experience that most will never
forget.
Approximately 15 years ago, Art Sallee (Mountaineer)
and Nick Grogan (now retired from the US Forest
Ser'Vice) decided lhat they would like to host a trip to the
mountains for physically handicapped Veterans.
Everyone involved found the experience to be extremely
rewarding, and a return trip the following year was
assured. Over the years, the Reunion has evolved to
include spinal injury patients and the mentally chaJlenged
from Community Hospital. The event is currently under
the guidance and coordination of Jonnie and Wendell
Plowman from the SAR jeep Squadron, along with the
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support of John Skadden and Mel Budmark. The 2
Reunion is to be sponsored by the Sheriff's Found
for Public Safety, with the assistance of a grant from
Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation.
The event begins early on Saturday morning,
members of the Jeep Squadron and other 4-wheel
pick up the participants (along with their care p ..'Ullnlll'l!
at the US Forest Service Headquarters in Clovis.
campers are convoyed up to the Voyager
Campground at Courtright Lake. Meanwhile, mem
of the Mountaineer and Posse Units are already
setting up camp at the campground. A great deal
preparation is required -erecting tents, blowing up
mattresses, arranging sleeping bags, arranging
picnic tables, cutting up firewood for the
beaching the fishing boats, and setting up the
Squadron's camp kitchen.
When the caravan arrives at the camp, the
are given a warm welcome and gi\:,en time to
acquainted with their new surroundings. The volu
show them their accommodations, help them to u
and inform them about the planned events. Many
campers are previous participants, and they i
114
------------------------------------------------------------------------~~
and talk with their hosts about the previous year's
events. The two-day camp will include fishing (from
shore, or on a boat), 4-wheel driving, and other outdoor
adventures. There is always an evening campfire with
stories, laughter, hot chocolate and jokes. Throughout
the entire event, the SAR volunteers and the professional
care providers wait on the participants, helping to
ensure a pleasurable and safe outing.
This past year, I had the opportunity to join,,-.-the
supporters of this extraordinary event on the weekend
of August 17th and 18th. I can tell you from personal
experience that this is a "SEE" (significant emotional
event). To observe the interaction between the SAR
volunteers and ttfe participants is heartwarming. The
In'D,or~ cater to the participants' needs and take
on adventures, all the while, joking and smiling.
participants are people who would not normally get
enjoy this type of outing, and the SAR volunteers
the experience rewarding, fun and meaningful.
this particular event, there was one paraplegic
an"'Dm~ln who had never had the opportunity to take
four nephews camping in the woods. Well, as you
probably guess, he got his opportunity. He brought
four of his nephews along without the assistance of
boys' parents (after all, he had the SAR volunteers!).
four nephews had a blast in their own tent with their
They enjoyed the camping experience, the 4
fishing on the boat, and of course, want to
up and do it again next year. Dinnertime was
ing to see, with Jonnie Plowman, Wendell
Bob Hegland, Robbie Hegland, John
..
Skadden, Dick Haus, Mel Budmark, Steve High, Bill
Allen, Joel Hausser, Dan McDivitt, Bill McDivitt, Art
Sallee, and C0I1I1el McCabe (Doc) all serving and
waiting on the participants and care providers. All of
the food preparation, serving, and cleanup is performed
by the volunteers, so they were all busy running around
the kitchen and serving-line like bees. They told stories
and kept the pal1icipants entertained and laughing
throughout the meal.
Sunday morning after breakfast, the volunteers break
down the camp. They pack up the camp kitchen and all
of the camping equipment, return the picniC tables
totheir proper campsites and pick up all of the trash.
When it's time to go, they load up the partiCipants and
care providers and head down the hill. The SAR
volunteers are well organized and logistics is something
they are readily familiar with, and although this task
sounds immense, they make it seem simple. The
volunteers transport the participants and the care
providers back to the US Forest Service Headquarters
-the whole time talking about this year's events and
what they can do during next year's event.
As a participator in the Reunion, I was able to observe
compassion at its highest mark. The SAR volunteers are
truly special people with a special caring for the
outdoors and other people. If you could see the smiling
faces and the laughter of all of the partiCipants, you
would have an appreciation and a better understanding
of what special people our SAR volunteers truly are.
Of course, you're welcome to join them .... and find out
for yourself.
2003 Sheriff's Review 115
Domestic Violence Team
By Detective Shirley Pursell
e Domestic Violence Team of the Fresno County
Sheriff's Department is comprised of three fulltime ] detectives, one community service officer, two
victim advocates and a supervising sergeant. This team
works closely with Crime Stoppers, the Vertical
Prosecution Team of the District Attorney's Office, the
Probation Department and with State Parole to ensure
that offenders are held accountable for their actions.
The goal is not to just incarcerate offenders, but to
break the vicious cycle of domestic violence that affects
everyone. In particular, children that might be locked
into these unfortunate circumstances, are significantly
affected. Statistics have shown that domestic violence
is a "learned behavior" that is often passed down from
generation to generation to generation. Early intervention
is the only possible solution.
The DV Team tries not only to provide a time of
separation of the persons involved in the domestic
violence, but also direction and" counseling for the
victims enabling them to see other alternatives than to
remain in a caustic and violent situation that often
increases in severity, up to and including death.
Repeat offenders get "special treatment". Their repeat
actions signal that earlier attempts to deal with the
co
situation and circumstances have not been
are
erad,'->ullII,col
has
pu
Viol
successful
and that the efforts of all involved must be ratcheted up.
Without such prompt action, predictable conseq
are demonstrated again and again and
Intervention, action and follow-up assistance
very important components towards
domestic violence.
The Domestic Violence Team currently
Community Service Officer whose primary responsibi
is to work proactively countywide providing
awareness training through Domestic
prevention presentations to parent groups,
groups and businesses. The team works closely with
Marjorie Mason Center, (battered women and child
shelter) who provides two grant funded Victim
to provide victims with crisis intervention and s
including on scene advocacy, safety planning,
referrals with domestic violence education.
Collectively the Domestic Violence Team works 1Oe,leme.
to better serve our citizens of Fresno County
as
by \"a\.Ianli~
and public awareness training, swift response
investigation of criminal acts, intervention,
of suspects, along with victim and family ass
This team's dedicated service qualifies them
Sheriff Departments' Homicide Prevention Team.
116
FugitiveWarrantsjExtraditions
and Transpor1ation Unit
By Sergeant Jack Sparke
Fugitive Warrants/Extradition and Transportation
Unit is a small very specialized unit now assigned
to the Detention Custody Bureau under the
mand of Capt~n Jose Flores.
unit is responsible for extraditing fugitives from
the country and the apprehension of out of state
.......,n-'~. local warrant service is also part of the job
time and man power permits. Unfortunately, that
pretty rare with the schedules we keep. As a result,
of the patrol areas receive copies of all of the
for service. Our day begins usually before
am. With the time difference on the east coast and
the country we have to start very early. Anyone
is arrested out of state and meets the extradition
II'Il1illom£lntc and prosecution if possible will be handled
our unit. The unit is also responsible for the
of sentenced prisoners to state detention
as well as high risk or special needs movement
where that it is called for. We work very closely with
our Detective units, records and correctional staff.
attended patrol briefings when necessary to pass
information regarding fugitives. We also
very closely with the U.S. Marshall Service.
Deputies assigned to the unit are, Detective Earl
Detective Paul Baker, Detective Dwight
Perry, Detective Kevin Fitzgerald, Fresno Police Officer
Detective Nick Ponamarinko and Office Assistant Peggy
Waters. The unit supervisor is sgt. Jack Sparke. Peggy
Waters has been dOing this job for over 25 years and
is without a doubt the back bone of the unit. Every
morningat 6:00 a.m. she has to read the minute orders
that come over from the courts. She then must be able
to decipher the handwriting. Several hundred a day is
normal. The paper work volume and process is
unbelievable.
Our unit is one of two in the organization til at is totally
self sustaining with respect to funding and generating
funds for the Department. All of our sentenced prisoners
as well as all out of state expenses incurred on
extraditions are reimbursed by the state. Between five
to six thousand prisoners are transported by this unit
each year.
The days can be very long and the hours countless but
it is well worth the effort. Mean, dangerous evil people
are being locked up and or brought back to face justice
when on the run. As they say, "you can run, but you can't
hide forever". We are coming to get you.
2003 Sheriff's Review 117
By Detective
use of the elder'ly ,is not a new thing, but the laws
governing this abuse ar'e new, tough, time~onsuming to investigate, and currently the "sour'ce
of funding" in Sacramento.
PC368 has five sections. That doesn't sound tough,
only five sections. It's not tough if you are; fluent in Real
Estate Law, Probate Code, Dept. of Corporation Law,
accounting pratices; have expert witness in Dementia,
Alzheimer's Di~ase, Undue Influence, the difference
between self abuse and neglect, and have been trained
in the difference between" it's a civil matter", and" it's
Elder Abuse". Oh, and it doesn't hurt to be up to da~e
on conservatorships, LPS conservatorships, Power of
Attorney, Power of Health Care, Wills, Trusts, Living
Trusts, and Holographic Wills. And that's just for the
financial abuse side of PC368.
On the physical Abuse side you need to bone up on
nutrition, starvation, most prescription drugs now
taken by the elderly and their side effects, stages of
decubiti (bed sores), how diabetics affect the elderly,
stages of maggots and when and how they grow, and
how the HIPPA law doesn't mean YOU can't have that
information from: the hospital, the Doctor, the ambulance
folks, the Psychiatrists, and Fresno County Mental
health.
If you haven't run screaming from the room and
begging for a simple homicide, you may be material for
the coveted title of Elder Abuse Detective. It's a job for
the futur'e as the population is aging and new ways "to
get gl'andpa/gl'andma's money" are being cr'eated as
you read this ar'ticle. The job is r'ewar'ding, interesting,
and certainly challenging.
Here's a simple test to see if you have a real interest in
Elder abuse.
1.Grandpa is in a mental care facility. His daughter is
receiving his social security, pension, and medi-cal
payments, from which she pays for his care. She is not
paying for his care. In fact she has forgotten to pay for
his care for the past 10 months or so. Is it a civil case,
or elder abuse?
Cynthia Knight
Those of you who said Elder Abuse are correct. She is
in violation of PC368 (d) Financial Abuse of an Elder' by
a non-car'etaker. She accepted a fiduciary r'esponsibility
to pay his bills with his money she receives and has
failed to do so. Doesn't matter what she did do with this
money, it was not what she was supposed to do. Of
course if she spent it on her bills you can also go with
PC 487 Grand Theft.
2. Dad is found lying in bed soaked with urine, has bed
sores to the bone, has maggots swarming and hatching
all over his groin area, has had both legs amputated (in
the past by Doctors), and there is spoiled food by the
bed. Neighbors say a son lives there but left a few days/
weeks ago. Do you have PC 368(b)(l)/ Abuse of Elder
likely to cause great bodily harm 01' felony neglect or
wOl'se?
I would have said yes, if all I had was the above
information. The answer in this case was, NO.
Investigation showed "Dad" was mentally capable off
making decisions, a tough guy to live with, and had
ordered his son and daughter in law out of the house
a few days ago because he "didn't want anybody telling
me what do any more". Dad is diabetic and has refused
to use insulin or eat proper food for years. Both of
legs were amputated one at a time, by Doctors on
emergency basis over the years because of his
to take care of himself. He has been placed in
facilities, but has checked himself out to go home
time because he is mentally able to do so. You
argue W&I 5150 Gravely disabled, unable to care
self. I tried it, but County doesn't agree and he
have been sent home again. No happy ending to
case.
3. Mr. X lost his wife a few years ago and has been I
alone since then. His children cometo see him, but
everyday. Lola calls him, says they are old friends,
she come to see him? Within a few weeks Lola and Mr
are married. She moves in, along with her
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118
children, and has MI'. X go live in the back room. In the
next month or two Mr.. X buys his wife a car, mink coat,
trips to nice places, things for the non-working children.
lola has him sign over the deed to the house. His
natural children say he has dementia and Lola is
bleeding him of all his money. Do we have a PC 368 (d)
Financial Abuse by a non-caretaker?
This is a composite of several cases we have worked.
The answer is YES. Here is the undue influence
oomponent of many of our cases. Lola made Mr. X
DEPENDENT on her for everything; she ISOLATED him
his real family and from her family by making him
in the back mom alone; she MANIPULATED him by
to sleep with him if/or' scr'eamed at him until
complied with her wishes; and GAINED CONTROL of
money and estate for her' gain.
Grandma is cantankerous and cr'ippled in the hands
feet. She is an alcoholic and likes to tip a few. She
aperson to clean her' house and fix her meals. The
I' fixes TV dinners, cleans occasionally, buys
booze and food from the store up the street. The
locks grandma's house when she leaves and
the key under the pot by the door. The only other
hidden in the freezer compartment in the top of
. The caretaker signs a few checks and
her self some money from Grandma's account.
takes a few tools and pipes from Grandma's
and forgets to come over to help Grandma a few
on her assigned days. Do we have a crime?
PC368 (e) Financial abuse by a caretaker, PC
false imprisonment of an elder and PC 459
IDToII,..,r:., when she was arrested on an FPD case
did worse than this to another elder, said
loaned her the money, said she could sign
gave her the tools, and "well, she could
out of the house through a window" .
......,.".. " Grandma died before a trial was started
we hadn't videotaped Grandma before she
couldn't use any of the testimony from the
when she was alive. Thankfully, the FPD
a living victim and this serial abuser was
Recent court cases have upheld the videotaping of
fragile Elders for' use in later court cases where the
Elder may become deceased 01' deeper into dementia.
This is a powerful tool that should be used in most Elder
Abuse cases. It's impor'tant that the questions used in
the interview show the victims mental state at the time.
There is a list of fluestions that is designed to show the
current status of the victim's short term and long term
memory. The taping must be of professional enough
quality for any court room and the sound quality must
be transcribable and clear enough for a judge and jury
to hear and understand. This is no easy task, as many
tapings will be done in hospitals, nursing facilities, and
with elders who have hearing difficulties as well as
speech difficulties.
The baby boomers have aged and are due to retire in
the next two to ten years. Fresno county's population is
now mor'e than 20% over the age of 65 and that number
will gl'Ow in the next few years to mor'e than 30%. The
majority of the wealth in our' nation is held by "retirement
age" persons. As medical advances allow us to live
longer, it also creates larger numbers of elders who
need assistance with their daily life as advance in age.
We may not like it, but our mind also ages and our
decision making skills decline with age. We become
more vulnerable to those who may take advantage of us .
Data collected in the r'elatively new science of Elder
Abusers shows that those who abuse once, will do it
again until caught. We owe it to the generation who
built most of the structure we stand on today in this
country, to protect them in their vulnerable years.
2002 Sher'iff's Review 11 9
Homicide lJnit
By Sergeant Bob Moore
"No greater honor will ever be bestowed on an officer or a more profound duty imposed upon him than
when he is entrusted with the investigation of the death of a human being."
e Homicide Unit, is housed under the umbrella of
the Central Field Services Bureau. Lieutenant]I
Robert Kandarian is charged with overseeilJg not
only the Homicide Unit, but also the Sexual Assault
Team, Elder Abuse Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, Sex
Registrant Unit and Court Liaison Office.
.
sgt. Bob Moore is the current supervisor of the Homicide
Unit, having recently taken over the reigns from now
Lieutenant Rick Hill, in August 2003. Thel'e are cUI'rently
eight detectives assigned to the unit and they work a 4
10 schedule; half are off on Mondays, the other half are
off on Fridays. The unit also is assigned an Office
Assistant, Ruby Garza. All personnel are on 24-hour
callout and respond when summoned by the Sergeant.
On "a typical Homicide, there are three detectives who
are called out; a primary and back-up investigator, and
one investigator designated as scene detective.
Types of crimes investigated
The Fresno County Sheriff's Department Homicide Unit
has been primarily tasked with the investigation of all
Homicides, in which one human being is responsible for
the qeath of anothel' human being. Additionally,
detectives in the unit are assigned to investigate all
Questionable Deaths, In-custody Deaths, Officer-Involved
Shooting incidents, Terrorist Threats cases, Assaults
with Deadly Weapons cases, Batteries with Serious
Injuries and certain weapons charges. They also
investigate all Adult Missing Persons cases.
Breakdown of cases In 2003
Since January 2003, there have been approximately
767 cases assigned to the Crimes Against Persons unit.
The breakdown of assigned cases include the following:
11 Homicide cases involving 12 victims; 5 remain
open at this time.
46 Questionable deaths.
164 Missing Persons cases.
120
200 Assault with Deadly Weapons cases.
6 Officer-Involved Shooting Cases.
105 Terrorist Threats cases.
1 Officer-Involved death, Deputy Joshua Lancaster.
This year, we lost one more Deputy Sheriff in the line of
duty. Deputy Josh Lancaster was killed while working a
crime pattern in the south county area. He was killed
when a suspect in a reported stolen vehicle crashed into
Deputy Lancaster while being pursued by another law
enforcement agency. The suspect's passenger was also
killed in the collision. Although the case was primarily
invesliigated by the CHP Major Accident Investigation
Team (MAlT), several detectives and crime scene
technicians were assigned to assist.
Cold Cases
In ttle fall of 1998, then-Deputy Scott Morrison was
commissioned by Capt. Gattie to research, and log, all
homicides occurring in the Fresno county area. The
initial research involved cases back to 1931. Since the
initial project, however, Scott Morrison has taken it
upon himself to research and log cases as far back as
1856.
A
or Forensic Examination of evidence. Most you
with whom we speak invariably say they want to do thai
"Crime Scene stuff". They rarely understand the
To date, there are approximately 266 "cold cases".
These consist of cases that have been investigated and,
for various reasons, all leads had been exhausted, but
the case has not yet been solved by arrest. When new
information becomes available, the case is re-opened
and re-investigated to see if suspects can be developed.
Distinct from other crimes, in the case of Homicides,
there is no statute of limitations precluding prosecution.
The public's perception:
It seems as though the most popular shows on television
this past year have dealt with Homici~e Investigations,
Cold Case Investigations and Crime Scene Investigation,
voluminous hours of academic study that goes into
such a vocation to make the jump to such a career. And,
of course , none of them expect to do the menial tasks
which lead up to being a Crime scene investigator; they
simply want to start with the iCing!!
While it's interesting to watch these cases unfold on TV,
one can't help but cringe at the down side. Investigating
a homicide is not anything like what you see on TV; we
rarely ever solve our investigations in on~-hour
Increments. It's a slow, methodical, tedious process.
Andthe public, under such a steady diet of these crime
shows, sometimes gets the unrealistic impression that
we should be no different. Typically, the average
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the first 72 hours. After that, leads begin to dry up and
the investigators begin preparing themselves to "settle
in for the long haul." It's usually a matter of making sure
all the evidence is analyzed and everyone is interviewed,
often-times more than once. It's much like a puzzle; as
the pieces begin to fall into place, you get quite excited
seeing what the picture looks like. But, you can't take
a puzzle with missing pieces into court and expect the
District Attor.ney to file charges. You work each case to
an airtight conclusion, no matter how long it takes. No
matter how long it takes. We owe this to the victim and
to the victim's family.
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2003 Sherilf's Review 121
Criminal & E.mployme.nt
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24 Hour SenJice • Se habla Espano/
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The Sheriff's Foundation for Public Safety would like to
thank the following businesses whos donations made
the 2003 publication of The Sheriff's Review possible:
Anlin Industries
Corporate Aircraft Inc.
Dick Snlith Bail Bonds
Fresno Lincoln Mercury Volvo
McLeod Ford Inc.
Orchard Supply Hardware
Sears, Roebuck & Co.
Timothy A. Wilkins 0.0.
Wright Oil Co. Inc
Santellan Concrete
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122
MAGEe
Multi Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium
By Sean Quinn
MAGEC DA Prosecution Team
MAGEC was created in December of ~997 with the
endorsement of Governor Pete Wilson. Ifwas
formed with the cooperation of the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department, Fresno Police Department,
California Highway Patrol, Fresno County District
llnnlrna,,/c Office;and approximately thirty other law
'"Anf/IY't],rna,ntagencies throughout Fresno County. MAGEC
has been the largest combined long term law enforcement
to come together to combat gangs in the state of
is currently made up offour separate investigative
and one District Attorney Prosecution Team.
teams are the Rural Investigations, Metro
IlVestigaltiOils Rural Tactical and Metro Tactical teams.
four of these teams network together to combat the
against the growing gangs and the crimes that they
against our citizens in the City and County of
Each individual team is set up to work different
areas where gang members reside. With
teams we can effectively investigate, combat and
these dangerous gang members.
Captain Cal Minor is the current Commander of
and has overseen its overall operations since
MAGEC consists of FSD Lieutenant Santos
FPD Lieutenant Greg Coleman, two Shel'iff's
John Retherford and Ian Barrimond, two FPD
John Jensen and Bill Grove.
Tactical and Metro Tactical teams are made
uniformed officers that patrol high gang activity
areas. The Rural Investigation team is
with one full time Sanger PO Officer and
time Kingsburg PD Officer. These teams
gang members and their associates and gain
on the ongoing activities of these active
The Rural and Metro investigation teams are made up
of non-uniformed detectives. Both teams conduct
investigations regarding gang homicides, gang
shootings, assaults and drug activity conducted by
known gang members.
The District Attorney Prosecution team lis made up of
three Deputy District Attorney's and three investigators,
one Sheriff's Detective, one Fresno PO Detective and
one DA Investigator. The prosecution team has had
great success in prosecuting gang members and the
crimes that they commit. They have prosecuted and
gained convictions of gang members regarding the
PC186.21 S.T.E.P. (Street Terrorism Enforcement and
Protection) act for criminal activities ,involving criminal
street gangs in the City and County of Fresno.
Since its inception in 1997 MAGEC has been instrumental
in the arrest and convictions of many high profile gang
members in the City and County of Fresno. MAGEC
continues to be one of the leaders in the fight against
gang crimes in the State of California.
MAGEC was recently reviewed by the Fresno County
Grand Jury and was found to be one of the model
agencies for gang suppression and identification in the
United States.
We are saddened to announce the retirement of our
current MAGEC Commander Captain Cal Minor. As of
July 30lh 2003 Captain Minor will retire after 33 years
of service with the California Highway Patrol. Captain
Minor has been a true leader as the Commander of
MAGEC. He has taken MAGEC to an elite level in the fight
against gang crime in the City and County of Fresno.
You will be truly missed by all of us tn MAGEC and we
wish you good luck in your retirement.
2003 Sheriff's Review 123
Narcotics
By Detective John Reynolds
Wth the assistance of state and federal funding,
the Fresno County Sheriff's Department
narcotics unit has developed several specialized
teams to address narcotics problems. These problems
ranging from street level possession and sales of
narcotics to the manufacturing and large-scale trafficking
narcotics. The five teams are commanded by one
lieutenant, five sergeants and twenty-nine detectives
and comprised of personnel from the Sheriff's
Department, Probation Department and Reedley Police
Department.
The Majors Narcotics Unit consists of a Sheriff's
Department sergeant, ten-deputy sheriff's and one
deputy probation officer. This unit works closely with
the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and
California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic
Enforcement, as well as other narcotics task forces
throughout California. The goal is to identify and
investigate large-scale narcotics traffickers.
In 2001, an investigation led the unit, along with DEA,
to the largest cocaine bust in sheriff's department
history. A trucking outfit, well known to the Sheriff's
Depar:tment and operaUng out of Mendota, was ,packing
4
kilos of cocaine in with crates of table grapes for
shipping to the eastern United States. The unit uncovered
twenty-five kilograms (55 pounds) of cocaine.
This year, the unit shut down a drug trafficking
organization operating out of Parlier, California. This
organization was rumored be exporting hundreds of
pounds of narcotics to other regions of the United
States. Their luck ran out when investigators arrested
two individuals with ten kilograms of cocaine and two
pounds of "ice" methamphetamine concealed in their
vehicle's hidden compartment.
Two of the detectives with the Majol' Narcotics Unit are
assigned to investigate marijuana-related crimes. The
valley's climate and isolated landscape continues to
make marijuana the main crop. Investigators are not
only finding marijuana flourishing in the mountains,
but have discovered Asian vegetable gardens used to
disguise marijuana growing on the valleyfloor. Marijuana
in these grows are trained to grow horizontally, concealed
under bitter melon, squash, lemon plant and other
vegetables. This makes the crop difficult to detect from
air surveillance.
Beginning in 2000, investigators were trained in and
began using a procedure known as "STABO" (Short·
Term Air Borne Operations) to access marijuana gardens
in difficult to reach areas. During STABO, investigators
are suspended from a 100-foot steel cable under a
helicopter and flown into each marijuana garden.
In addition to the Majors Narcotics Unit, the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department has other units designed
to focus their attention on street level narcotics. The
Southwest Street Narcotics Unit was created in 2001 to
investigate narcotics related crimes in rural Fresno
County communities. This unit is supplemented by
manpower provided by local law enforcement
such as the Reedley, Selma and Coalinga
Departments.
With the inception of the CAl-MMET (California
jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement T
the Fresno County Sheriff's Department created
Northeast Street Narcotics Enforcement Team to
the metropolitan and mountain areas of Fresno
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124
The Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force
By Detective Tim Herzog
f e Central Valley California (CVC) High Intensity
Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) was established
under the direction of the Office of National Drug
Control Policy (ONDCP). The CVC HIDTA consists-of nine
counties, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced,
Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. The
eve HIDTA consists of an Investigative Support Center
located in Fre no and four initiatives established
throughout the Central Valley. The initiatives are the
cramento Area Intelligence Narcotic Task Force
NT), Southern Tri-County Drug Task Force (STC),
!ianlislaIJS-S,al Joaquin-Merced Task Force (SSJM) and
Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force (FMTF).
I .IIUIIHU..., of 2000, The Fresno Methamphetamine Task
was initiated with a Board of Directors, chaired
Fresno County Sheriff, Richard Pierce, and lead by
of Narcotic Enforcement Commander, Robert
. Representing the Fresno County Sheriff's
1ftII~lmOnl were sgt. Rick Hill (recently promoted to
Detective Rick Lyons, and Detective Joe
covers Fresno, Madera, and Merced Counties,
on and targeting major methamphetamine
and trafficking organizations, chemical
, . ..,U'LlUII rings, production support organizations,
Illrumhjll1rine tablet distribution rings, and money
organizations in Fresno, Madera, and Merced
and other areas of the country as necessary.
Methamphetamine Task Force is a Multi
ask Force consisting of Task Force Agents from
Ulfnll'nial Department of Justice/ Bureau of Narcotic
, United States Drug Enforcement
ion, the United States Department of
Security/ Bureau of Customs and
VL""LlUI, California Highway Patrol, Fresno
iAn!'lll'lmlont Merced County Sheriff's Department,
Madera County Sheriff's Department, and the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department.
In March of" 2002, the California Multi-jurisdictional
Methamphetamine Enforcement Team (CAL-MMET) grant
formally provided State funding for additional positions
of a Lieutenant, a Sergeant and five Detectives. The Task
Force now includes 26 Investigators with 8 Detectives
and 2 Sergeants from the Fresno County Sheriff's
Department.
As of December 2002 there were 46 methamphetamine
laboratory related dumpsites and 15 methamphetamine
laboratories seized in Fresno County. Madera County
had 51 methamphetamine laboratory dumpsites and 8
Methamphetamine Laboratories seized. In Merced
County there were 107 Methamphetamine Laboratory
dumpsites and 31 Methamphetamine Laboratories
seized.
Statistically speaking, roughly 80% of the
methamphetamine in the United States is produced
here in the Central Valley, which is then distributed
throughout the United States. With approximately 10,000
square miles between the three counties, most of which
is rural agl'iculturalland; the Central Valley is a prime
target for methamphetamine manufacturing rings. These
organizations utilize remote locations to manufacture
methamphetamine and then dispose of the hazardous
waste in orchards, canals, or other locations, causing
environmental hazards and costing the California
taxpayer, millions of dollars in clean up costs alone.
In 2002 the entire State of California paid out$4,97 4,517
to clean up hazardous waste associated with
methamphetamine laboratories. The CVC HIDTA area
alone cost $2,014,485 with Fresno, Madera, and
Merced Counties accounting for $895,739 of the nine
county total.
2003 Sheriff's Review 125
Sex Offender Registration Enforcement Unit
By Detective Art Ybarra
l e Sex Offender Registration Enforcement Unit
(PC 290 Unit) is responsible for tracking and
enforcing the registration requirements of all
convicted sex offenders residing within the jurisdiction
of the Fresno County Sheriff's Department.
The PC 290 Unit currently has two Detectives assigned
to the unit. In addition to their annual registration, a
Detective from he unit also verifies each one of their
residencies with a home visit. If an offender is found to
be "Out of Compliance" an arrest warrant is reque ted.
We track and monitor the movement of a number of
registrants moving into or out of our jurisdiction on
continuous basis. We interact and work closely with the
Department of Justice and other law enforcement
agencies around the United States to accomplish this
goal. Updated information is then submitted to the
Department of Justice for input into the "Megan's Law"
computer.
California has had a sex offender registration law since
1947. This law was the first in the nation that required
convicted sex offenders to notify local law enforcement
agency's of their whereabouts, but seldom was it ever
enforced. Sadly, It was the death of seven-yeal'-old
Megan Kanka in New Jersey that prompted "Megan's
Law".
At last check there were over' 90,000 sex offenders
residing in California, of which approximately 2,028
reside in Fresno County. Trying to locate and keep track
of this many people can be a challenge.
Given the fact that since California's version of "Megan's
Law" is retroactive to 1944 the task of locating the many
of the "Out 01 Compliance" offenders is quite difficult.
Many of these past offenders are either deceased,
residing in other states or have not been heard from
since their original convictions. This is because no one
was ever assigned or involved in tracking these offenders
until "Megan's Law.
126
Thanks to modern technology we now are able to better
track and locate numerous offenders, some of whom
have been confirmed deceased, or are now residing in
other states, .or were simply keeping a very low profile.
We are slowly making progress in accounting for all
~convicted offenders, who reside within our jurisdiction.
o
IiThe purpose of "Megan's Law" is not to further punish
offenders, but to keep track of their whereabouts. n
Certain reqUirements are in place to ensure their
compliance.
A convicted sex offender is required to register with-in
the jUI'isdiclion they reside:
1. Annually, within five days of his/her birthday.
2. Within five days of coming into or changing
addresses within any city or county.
3. When moving out of state.
4. If the offender does not have a place or residence,
he/she must update their registration every 60 days,
addition to their annual registration.
"Warning"
"I'm a convicted sex offender"
Some common public misconceptions of registered
offenders are,
-They must post a sign stating they are a convicted
offender.
-They can not live or work near a school.
-They may not reside in a residence were there
children.
This simply is not the law. They only time such
can be placed on an individual is by court ordel',
condition of parole or while on probation for the
requiring registration.
Each state has their own laws and version of "
Law", so not all laws are the same. A minor (rnlc'nOI'l'lll<JM
offense in California may not necessarily be a I'pdii~tjlr~1II
offense in other states.
Some states allow public access of their state sex
offender registry through the Internet. California is one
of a few states that does not have public access through
the internet. Information on Registered Sex Offender's
is available to the public through the use of the "Megan's
Law" Computer, located in the lobby of the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department Headquarters. A search of
the system can be done by either the registrant's name
or by zip code.
This information provides a means for members 'Of the
public to protect themselves and their children from sex
offenders. Information released on Serious and High
Risk Offenders is generally made through public
ons, on/(} case by case bases.
Information on Registered Sex Offender's is available to
the public through the use of the "Megan's Law"
Computer, located in the lobby of the Fresno County
Sheriff's Department Headquarters. A search of the
system can be done by either the registrant's name or
by zip code.
This information provides a means for members of the
public to protect themselves and their children from sex
offenders. Infprmation released on Serious and High
Risk Offenders is generally made through public
notifications, on a case by case bases.
2003 Sheriff's Review 127
Runaway Juveniles ~
01 By Detective Linda Lenton Ci
II of us have taken reports on runaway juveniles. ~You may think that you have had to handle more
han your fair share of these reports, and some of
the names become familiar to you. In the year 2002 The
Fresno County Sheriff's Department received about
564 reports of runaway juveniles. What happens to
these reports after they are approved and sent on to the
detective that must handle these reports?
A majority of too reported runaways return within the
first month of the initial report being written. All
runaway reports are assigned and put into a case log.
The assigned detective maintains the file and matches
it up with all the entries that Teletype operators enter
into the Missing and Unidentified Person System (MUPS).
As the reported runaway is located or returns the
assigned detective conducts a follow-up, makes sure
the person is removed from MUPS and in some
circumstances files criminal complaints with Juvenile
Probation.
Some of the children who runaway do not return within
the thirty day time frame. These children run a greater
risk of being injured, abused, or murdered. These are
the ones who cause us and their loved ones to worry for
months and years.
This is why we take all the required and necessary steps
to make the public aware or these missing children.
Internet web sites, pictures on grocery bags and milk
cartons, and even on PGA tour golf Pro golf bags keeps
these children in the public eye.
California Department of Justice has given out
procedures based on current law and Police Officer
Standards and Training guidelines. Missing / runaway
children are broken down into three categories. Child
at risk, child not at risk under sixteen years of age and
child not at risk16 years and over.
Child at risk: Must be entered into MUPS wif.h in 4 hours.
-A bulletin to "be on the lookout" must be issued without
delay
-Dental/photo release form is to be sent to DOJ within
24 hours.
-The child's school is to be notified in writing along with
a photo within 10 days.
-Dental x-rays and photo are to be sent to DOJ within
24 hours.
Child not at risk under 16 years: Must be entered into
MUPS within 4 hours.
-A bulletin to "be on the lookout" must be issued without
delay.
-Coroner check must be done immediately after 14
days.
-Dental/photo release form is to be sent to DOJ after 14
days within 24 hours.
-The child's school is to be notified in writing along
__....,'''hftll
safe.
a photo within 10 days.
-Dental x-rays and photo are to be sent to DOJ after
days within 24 hours.
Child notal Risk 16 years and over: Must be entered
MUPS immediately.
-A bulletin to "be on the lookout" is suggested
DOJCoroner check must be done immediately after
days.
-Dental/photo release form is to be sent to DOJ after
days.
-The child's school is to be notified in writing along
a photo within 10 Dental x-rays and photo are to be
to DOJ after 45 days.
There are many support groups involved with mi
or runaway children.
TlJe National Center for Missing and ExplOited
assists in parental and stranger abductions and
They will help in getting fliers together so they can
distributed. The web site has a lot of 'useful i.,t"
for parents to help keep their children
additional information go to www.ncmec.org
fo
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128
. 11lJ1lnpr 'Center for Missing and Exploited Children
originally founded in 1988 as the Amber Swartz
Foundation for Missing Children. What started
as a grassroots volunteer effort in Contra Costa
nty, California has grown into a nationwide service
missing children and their families across America.
Amber Alert is a critical missing child response
The criteria to enter the program is:
Hie missing child is of a pre-determined age.
The law enforcement agency believes the child has
kidnapped. /
The agency believes the missing child is under the
threat of serious bodily harm or death.
,/
American Crime Prevention Unit
5493 North 10th Street #106
Fresno, Ca. 93710
Mike Eagles
e-mail: petecobb@pacbell.net
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Fresno, CA 93711
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After this information has been received radio and
television stations interrupt their programs to notify the
public that a child has been kidnapped. To learn more
about this program go to www.ambercenter.org
Polly Klaas Foundation assists in family services parental
and stranger abduction and runaways. The Klaas
foundation will respond to families with missing children
and adults. They give education/training in safety and
violence prevention to children and adults. For more
information see web site, www.klaaskids.org
r~~~~~
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~f38 tJf. fIJaIw«z, §uom;, ~.A 93122
(559) 21G-8381 fo-z (559) 21G-02G~
C--uI: ~.«HIJ 1'Jf~ fl'ik: ~.u;m 9'~ <9fUf1
Perry Wong, D.D.S.
33033 Auberry Road Suite 105
Auberry. CallfomJ.a 93602
(559) 85f5-8804
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Marker"'g RtpresenraclVl!
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P(559) 434-6444 . F (559) 434-383 1· C # 107201156
2003 Sheriffs Review 129
l
Fresno Sheriff Explosive
r
r
[Ordnance Disposal
(
y
By Captain Tom Gattie
e origin of the Fresno Sheriff's Department
] Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team can bfltraced
back to when locall ATF agent Bill Mallory brought
a post-blast investigative training class to Fresno.
Assisting Mallory was Fresno's 144111 ANG sgt. Louie
Fierro and Master sgt. Doyle from the 49111 Ordnance
Detachment, Fort Ord, CA. This training was attended
by then Sheriff's Sergeant William "Bill" Cunningham
(Lt.-ret.) and Detective Claude "Butch" Hoy (deceased).
The class included approximately 20 students from the
local area. In 1971, a large explosive device was
detonated in the Fresno County Courthouse during
normal business hours, and a subsequent explosive
incident at the Fresno City Hall, marked the emerging
need for both additional trained investigators as well as
trained explosive technicians.
In 1975, then Deputy Mike Cunningham (Sgt.-ret.) who
is Bill Cunningham's son, was the first Fresno Sheriff's
deputy to attend Redstone Arsenal training for bomb
technicians. His attendance at this school in Huntsville,
Alabama was secured by Captain Ron Woods (ret.).
lIpdn Mike Cunningham's return, he teamed up with
Fresno Police Officers Weldon Griffith (ret.) and Larry
Mcintyre (ret.) as the only local law enforcement bomb
technicians in the area besides military personnel
assigned to the Air National Guard 144111 at the Fresno
Airport. Around 1981, Deputy Tom Johnson (deceased)
joined Cunningham as the second Redstone gmduate.
Subsequently, Deputy Tom Lean (ret.) joined Tom
Johnson as the department expl'osive technicians, with
then Lt. Tom Gattie assuming team command
responsibility. As a side note, during the late 1970s
and the early 1980s, both Deputy John Burge (ret.) and
then Deputy Ron Wiley (Captain) were pressed into
action to assist wit'h explosive recovery and disposal
calls, withoul any real formal training. Yep, that's how
we did it in the otd days!
F
In the early 1980s, sgt. Cunningham retired from b
team, and Deputy Jim Kerns (Sgt.-ret.) and Depu Ir
Chris Osborn joined the team. Tom Johnson stayed a
with the team for awhile during the transition as e)
mentOl' for the new technicians and earned the be d~
title as the "SAPL" (Special All-Purpose "Leroy"). a«
team worked diligently to "procure" necessary eq . in
including a response vehicle, a Hurd's custom W4
bomb trailer, x-ray capabilities, a bomb suit and At
modified 12 gauge shotgun to serve as a remote Wl
disruptive tool. Many, many pipe bombs succumbed re
this crudely made disrupter, but it worked time and an
again. It is now a Fresno Sheriff's Department mu wt
piece. An Alcohol, tobacco and Firearms
bomb storage facility was obtained in the Auberry Wi
due to the efforts of then Public Works Engineer De
Perch, who later went on to became a member of de4
Fresno County Board of Supervisors. wit
In 1989, when Tom Gattie was promoted to
command of the team transferred to then Lt.
Greening (Captain). In 1992, the team was
disbanded with the exception of Deputy Osborn
acted as the Sheriff's Department liaison officer to
Fresno Police Department Bomb Squad, who took
all explosive responsibilities in Fresno County.
In late December 1999, the Auberry explosives
site (that was turned over to FPD) was found b
with a large amount of high explosives and
detonators stolen. This was just days before the
1, 2000 Millennium celebrations and the county
the country was in a frenzy that the explosives may
been stolen by those bent on anarchy during
upcoming national events. This theft definitely
Fresno a nationally recognized city. Within a
days ofthe burglary, then Chief of Police Ed
turned over to the Sheriff's Department all
countywide (including in the City of Fresno) for
130
related activities until his agency could SOl't out a
number of issues. The Sheriff pressed back into service
capt. Tom Gattie, who along with sgt. Kerns and ASU
pilot Chris Osborn reactivated the Fresno Sheriff's
Department Explosive Ol'dnance Disposal Team. This
was January 3, 2000.
From the moment of the discovery of the magazine
burglary, the Fresno Sheriff's Department Special
Investigation Detail went to work al'ound the clocK, in an
attempt to determine who had forced entry into the
explosive magazine, stolen the explosives, and to
ine what they had planned for their newly
ired "materials". The support dUl'ing this
.lnVeliug;:ltlon from all local, state, and fedel'al agencies
an inspiring thing to witness, and within days, four
area suspects had been identified, arrested,
what was believed to be most of the explosives
.,.nlllor£.t1. Subsequently the suspects plead guilty
IIIl1u.loro sentenced to local time, absent one suspect
was killed in a car accident while awaiting trial.
this infamous event concluded, the Fresno Sheriff's
Iftll..,m£.nt EOD Team forged ahead to restore its
dlcalted services to the department and the county
updated trainingat Redstone by Kerns and Osborn,
the use of both asset forfeiture funds and grant
anew Freightliner response vehicle was acquired
new digital x-ray equipment and an impressive
of state of the art equipment for rendering safe
devices and rendering ordnance safe.
2003, sgt. Kerns and Capt. GaUie traveled to
and took possession of a grant funded
Remotec F6A Andros Robot, along with Allof
and accessories available at the time. The
known as "leroy" now resides within the
heart of the department response vehicle along with all
of the other rendering safe equipment. The unit has
handled approximately 500 explosive related events to
date since being reactivated in January of 2000.
The futUl'e of the FI'esno Sheriff's EOD Team was
recently selected. The future of the team will soon be
in the hands of newly assigned Deputy Kevin Draughon,
Deputy John, Reynolds and Deputy Jimmy Robnett.
These exceptional officers' applications have been
accepted by the FBI and they await assignment of a
training date for Redstone's Hazardous Device School
five week training adventure. Upon their return they
will be fully certified HDS bomb technicians. sgt. Kerns
who recently I'etil'ed, has agreed to work part-time to
both assist in training and mentoring the new technicians,
along with responding to explosive calls for service as
needed and available. Deputy Osborn when not flying
the department helicopter, can be always be relied on
to respond to explosive calls also and assist with the
training of the new technicians.
The Fresno Sheriff's Department and the Clovis Police
Department's Explosive Materials Unit train together
each month and provide cooperative and collaborative
assistance to each other. The Clovis Explosive
Technicians are Officers Dean Menard and Drake
Hodge.
With the continuing concerns of Homeland Security, the
Fresno Sheriff's Department EOD Team must remain at
"ready alert" for the foreseeable future. To this end,
realistic training, state of the art equipment, and most
importantly, quality people will help to keep us out of
harm's way. To the members of this team, past, present
and future ... your skills and abilities are only exceeded
by your dedication to duty, the team, the department,
and the community we serve.
2003 Sheriff's Review 131
Fresno County Sheriff's Department
Court Services Unit
By Lt. Neil Dadian
WII ovel' a centul'Y ago, the nearest court of
general jurisdiction to what is now Fresno
County, was about fifteen hundred miles away
in San Rosal'io, Mexico. When California entered the
union in 1850, current day Fresno County residents
had access to a district COUl't in Mariposa, only a two
day ride by horseback. On June 9, 1856 the residents
of newly formeH Fresno County elected its first County
Judge, Charles A. Hart. The newly elected sheriff,
William C. Bradly, among his other duties, served as
bailiff.
The population of Fl'esno County in 1856 was well
under 10,000 people. Today, the population is well over
850,000 people and is one of the most culturally
diverse counties in the nation. A significant number of
that diverse population has business with the courts in
some fashion. In an effort to better provide access to
the courts by the community, the judiciary in Fresno
County has been consolidated into the Fresno County
Superior Court.
The Fresno County Superior Court has 46 judicial
positions, including judges and commissioners, as well
as a host .of Pro-Tern judges and Juvenile Traffic
Referees. The court serves the county with branches in
Clovis, CoaJinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Kerman, Kingsburg,
Reedley, Sanger, and Selma. The main courthouse i
located in t.he county seat in Fresno. Because of
need for more space, various components of the
are housed in other facilities in or near
Fresno. There is a separate facility for J
Dependency Court, Juvenile Delinquency Court,
Family Support Court. Fresno County has one of
busiest court systems in the state.
As the enforcement arm for the court, the Sheriff
responsibility to staff all of these courts and
assigned a staff of over 80 employees. A
!Lieutenant commands the Court Services Unit and
four Sheriff's Sergeants, 73 Deputy Sheriffs and
Community Service Officers. Several Reserve
Sheriffs and a steady number of field deputies
back on overtime, also augment the force. The
Services Unit is the single largest unit in the d
132
Fresno County Sheriff's Department Court Services Unit Management Staff.
Pictured left to right: sgt. Gregg Andreotti, Lt. Neil Dadian, Lt. Allen Gaad, Captain Don Burk, sgt. Dan
Cervantes and sgt. Steve Wilkins.
responsibilities include providing deputies
to act as bailiff, transportation and deliver'y of
defendants from the jail and other state and
facilities, perimeter and interior security, entry
weapons screening, and the full range of law
--omoln'services. Deputies and Community Services
in partnership with County Security, screen
3500 entries a day, just at the main
alone. Entry pOints weapons screening
at all court facilities.
investigate numer'ous crimes committed in
facilities and make dozens of arrests each year.
Services deputies also transport and maintain
of an ever increasing number of in custody
averaging about 300 daily, for all court
In addition, between two hundr'ed to three
persons are remanded by the court each
and taken into custody for booking and
In an effor't to keep an ever-blossoming system from
grinding to a halt, the Court Services Unit's complement
of Community Services Officers provides support staff
to keep the wheels of justice tuming. In a dynamic and
creative approach for career development, 10 CSO's
were recently assigned to cover .duties pr'eviously
tasked to deputy sheriffs. The Unit's CSO's serve as
radio dispatchers, scheduling duty officers,
classification/calendar analysts, site control operators
in security stations, entry point weapons screeners, and
administrative aides to the supervisors and unit
commander. These dedicated men and women provide
the support for the deputies to work in a safer
environment, and focus more resources to criminal
investigation and apprehension, as well as other' law
enfOl'cement responsibilities.
The deputy sheriffs and CSO's provide a safe and
fr'iendly environment for the court staff, judiciary and
the public we serve, in the administmtion of justice.
2003 Sheriff's Review 133
01
aThe Training lJnit T
F
esgt. Fred Johnson and sgt. Mike Henkle
SI
l e Fresno County Sheriff's Department Training
Unit is one of the largest training units in the state
dedicated by the Sheriff to train its department
members. Training is one of, if not the most impol'tant
units in any law enforcement agencies in the nation.
Keeping law enfor'cement member's up-to-date on tactics
and information only improves the community's law
enforcement services. U. Leonardo and U. Blohm
head the Training Unit. Sergeant Fred Johnson
supervises enforcement training and Sergeant Mike
Hen~le supervises custody training.
~
This year the Training Unit began the first year of the
new tl'aining system, Tactical Skills COUl'se (TSC) for
the department members working enfor'cernent. TSC
is a 40-hour intensive format of the hands-on basics of
law enfor'cement tr'aining. Within the course, there is
specialized scenario instl'Uction cover'ing the following
topics just to name a few: Weaponless Defense, Driving
Simulators, Officer Rescue, Down Officers, Open Area
Searches, Tactical Building Searches, Patrol Building
Searches, Active Shooter Training, High Risk Stops,
Unknown Vehicle Stops, Handling Disturbances Calls,
Tactical Suit Training, of which most of the scenarios
are using Simuintions weapons, Training Batons and
Inert O.C. Spray. Reserves from the CSUF 108 Reserve
Unit ar'e used as role players for realist subject/suspect
encounter's.
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theThe training also included live fire courses
required the use of all the issued weapons (4 JOIl
MirlCS45, Shotgun, AR-15 Rifle and Less Lethal S IU~UlI""
The firear'ms cOUl'ses related to: Barricade
Shooting from the Vehicle, Moving Targets,
Based Targets, Alternative Shooting Positions
Nighttime Shooting using flashlights or available I
These shooting drills incorporated movement as well
stationary styles. This course was extremely
received by all of the line personnel.
Besides the TSC format, the Tr'aining Unit has i
the number of officers assigned to the unit to
serve its department member's. Retir'ed members
also been br'ought back into the Training Unit with
past exper'ience they hold to work part-time.
members of the Tr'aining Unit work not only in front
the classroom, but behind the scenes as well,
the latest training law enforcement tactics.
mandates are maintained throughout the d
due to the effective production of courses, videos,
Call Training Bulletins and written material.
The depulies assigned to the enforcement side are:
Paul, Coburn Bayer', Ed Mayo, Jon Pino, Chris T
Jim Stokes and Jill Bissett. Civilian tr'aining
are Rod Craig, Gary Martin and John Tilley.
pr'ojects for' supervisor training is Merr'ill Wright
Mike Mosier. 134
The custody side of training has implemented some new
and creative ideas for training within the Detention
Facilities. The six-minute brief,ing model adopted from
CHP Captain Gordon Graham was implemented to
supplement in-service training. The officers receive 6
tes of training during their briefings. Each block
instl'Uction covers a topic related to policy and
procedure or a specific perishable skill technique. The
of instruction change each month. The main
for the month is broken down into sections of
and procedure, nomenclature of equipment,
issues, question and answer interaction with
, and proper techniques. This information has
made available to all correctional staff via personal
and de}Jartment network.
Training Unit also conducted a 40-hour block of
for all Correctional Officer IV's and Deputy IV's,
no"'JICfl,rC, managers, and executive staff from all
of the department. A committee was formed at
direction of the Sheriff and comprised of Lt. Scott
Lt. Joe Blohm, Lt. Susan Leonardo, Lt. Margie
Retired Lt. Merrill Wright, Retired sgt. Mike
and sgt. Mike Henkle. The committee worked
for several months to create and prepare a
productive training week. The course included
topics including Ethics, Leadership, Incident
System (ICS), Duties and Responsibilities of
participants, and Personnel Issues. Personnel
included Discipline, Worker's Compensation,
Procedures, Internal Affairs and Peace Officer
Rights (POBAR). The course also included an
1I1K:)tl~SIUl with the Sheriff covering his expectations
for the department, as well as a closing
with the Sheriff covering questions and answers
during the week of training. Lt. Scott Jones and
Mosier facilitated the course. Outside
with expertise in the areas of ICS, Ethics,
ip were brought in to teach these specific
The training was well received by lhose that
Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants from
Bureaus received perishable skUls training
Munitions with the shotgun, pepperball,
stingballs, and chemical agents. Also
into this training were 4506 qualifications,
and scenario based training with all of the
topics. This tr'aining was conducted in
a 12-hour format that was fast paced and interactive.
In an effort to partner with other County and City of
Fresno entities training is provided on "Inmate
Supervision". The training is primarily for non-security
staff such as Fleet Services, Building Maintenance,
County Parks & Recreation, Fresno City Parks and any
other departments that utilize inmate labor. This
training is required for any of these various department
staff members to utilize inmate labor to assist them
within their scope of duties. The training includes the
rules and regulations for inmates, discipline procedures
and notifications, classification of inmates working, con
games played by inmates, security issues and
responsibilities of non-security staff while supervising
inmates.
The Correctional CORE Academy is another facet of
training that is conducted through the custody side of
training. This is a jOint effort between the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department and Fresno City College.
The majority of the instructors for this 240-hour course
come from the ranks of the Sheriff's Department.
Several different agencies throughout the state send
their officers here to attend this course. In recognition
of this, I would like to take this moment to remember
one of our allied agencies officers who was tragically
killed this year in an off-duty vehicle accident. Deputy
Art Schneider from Mariposa County was a cadet and
an influential part of Correctional Academy class #39.
He died on 9/2/03 while driving on Highway 49. He
will be greatly missed.
2003 Sheriff's Review 135
Communications Dispatchers
Lashell Aldredge Jack Bailey Elizabeth Bejar Roshawanda Braggs April Butterbredt
C/O III C/O Specialist C/O UI C/O Specialist C/O II
Theresa Chacon
C/O III
Oenise Oepew
C/O Specialist
Antoinette Gumbs
C/O III
Farisa Ikner
C/O III
Linda Kahn
C/O III
Jessica Layfield
C/O Specialist
Terrilyn Myers
C/O III
Norma Jay
Supervising C/O
Tina Oritz
C/O Specialist
136
Communications Dispatchers
Diana Rosales Dory Rousseau
C/O Specialist Supervising C/O
Karla Solis Stacy Souza Judith Stuart Valerie Vasquez
C/O III C/O III C/O III C/O III
2003 Sheriff's Review 137
Offender Programs
Terry Ashmore Toni Saltzman Mark Schroeder
Vol. Services Coordinator Recreational Therapist II Recreational Therapist II
Office Assistants
138
Marina Alvarez
O/ A II
Jennie Anaya
Supervising O/A II
Rosalinda Gomez
O/ A III
Jean Ishimoto
O/ A III
Lynda Key
O/ A III
Sharon Ball
O/ A III
Nancy Blajos
O/ A III
Viviana Lamas
O/ A II
Pao Lee
0/ A III
Bonnie Horg
O/A III
Office Assistants
Teresa Socie Sharon Strecker Carol Terry-Nickel
O/A III O/A III O/A III
Catalina Valdez Peggy Waters Kristal Wilson Linda Wright
O/A II O/A III O/A III O/A III
2003 Sheriffs Review 139
Process Servers
Miguel Arias Robin Bailey Yvonne Holt Olinda Mateo Roger Smith
Process Server Process Server Process Server Supervising Process Process Server
Server
Erik Telen Highway Dedication
140
Officers In Training
2003 Sheriff's Reveiw 141
lJniformed Field Division
Reserve lJnit
By Reserve Art Salas
e Fresno County Sheriffs Department's lJniformed
Field Division Reserve lJnit is an active group of ~sworn law enforcement volunteers. Their main
purpose is to support the Patrol Division in I'ouline
police operations and through pecialty units such as
horses, bikes, AlV's, snowmobiles and even in airplanes.
They also assist during speCial events throughout the
county,
Reserve Deputies orne from a broad spectrum of the
community in terms of background and employment.
They have a common love of law enforcement and a
desire to do something good and worthwhile for the
community. Many times, Reserves are on call to assist
during special circumstances and/or natural
emergencies. These Reserves are civic-minded and
public-spirited men and women who devote their time,
effort and resources to the furtherance of law and
order.
The requirements to be a Reserve Deputy Sheriff are
stl'ingent and demanding on a person. A Reserve officer
must complete the Police Academy pl'ior to taking a
written entrance exam, oral interview, background
investigation, medical examination, and a psychological
exam. Once these steps have been completed, the
Reserve officer must volunteer at least 200 hours
throughout the yeal' and attend continuous month~
training meetings and periodic weekend training sessions
throughout the year to maintain theil' Reserve status.
The Fresno County lJ.F.D. Reserve lJnit is compl'ised
thirty-nine dedicated, hard working citizens
contributed over eighteen thousand hoUl's of service
the Fresno County Sheriff's Depar'tment and the cilize
of Fresno County in 2002.
142
Reserve
Brandon Green
Reserve Sergeant
Reserves
Wayne Easley
Reserve Lieutenant
Nick Harrison
ReserveLieutenant
Don Brillsan
Reserve Ser'geant
Randy Easley
Reserve
David Hatch
Reserve
Peter Dal Pezzo
Reser'Ve Sergeant
Hakim Eslami
Reserve Sergeant
Layne Hayden
Reserve
2003 Sherifi's Review 143
Reserves
Art Salas
Reserve Sergeant
Keith King
Reserve
Rick Moore
Reserve
Secretaries
Cathy Bundy Della Sandoval Charlene Wylie
Secretary IV Secl'etary IV Administrative Secretary
I
Peace Officers Memorial
2003 Sheriff's Review 145
Systems and Procedures
Hobby Ballard
Information Tech
Analyst IV
MichaelOix
Network Systems
Engineer III
Robert Engellenner
Systems and
Procedures Analyst III
Colleen Hamel Stanley Ruppel Kip Hal'Oldson
Information Tech Information Tech Senior Networ'k Systems
Analyst III Analyst III Engineer'
Jail Identification Staff
Lawrence Hendri,ckson
10 Technician II
Tracey Lopez Joyce Smith
10 Technician II ID Technician II
Lisa Weaver' James Whitton Susan Willefor'd
10 Technician I ID Technician III 10 Technician III
146
Forensic Laboratory
Teresa Cruz Jackie Fox Elizabeth Galindo Vicente Guerrero
10 Technician III ID Technician IV ID Technician II 10 Technician IV
Patrick O'Brien Guy Patterson Hector Tello
10 Technician IV 10 Technician IV ID Technician IV
Senior ID Tech John Bawcom demonstrates proper safety techniques to 10 Tech III Scott Stacey and
Intern Kazuko Suzuki
2003 Sheriff's Review 147
I.T. Services
TmelY, accurate, and accessible data is critical to for crime mapping, reporting, and analysis. (effective law-enforcement. The Information Systems View, an intranet GIS application, allows staff to
applications used by the Sheriff's Department are CAD data from their desk to see what has happened
interdependent and utilized extensively by all County
law enforcement and Corrections staff.
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) is a system that gives
dispatchers the ability to track public and officer
initiated calls-for-service and allows 9-1-1 call-takers to
route patrol cars to citizens in need. Dispatchers can
query various focal and State databases to provide
Deputies with DMV data, warrant information, location
history, etc. Automated Field Reporting (AFR) software
provides Deputies a tool to enter incident details into a
database, which are later transferred into the Records
Management (RMS) and Corrections Management
Systems (CMS) to track criminal cases, warrants, and
inmates in custody. This information captur'ed by a
deputy days, weeks, even years earlier can be relayed
by the Dispatch Center to another deputy today to
prevent or solve a current or unsolved crime.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) makes further
use of the incident data to create visual representations
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theil' beat in the last 24 hours, or view a historical
of crime problems in an area.
The staff of IT Sel'Vices supports, develops, implem
coordinates and manages systems to make data aVUllitlIJII. I!24/7. Network administrators maintain lalinfrastructure and servers for the Sheriff's Wide
Of1Network (WAN), connecting the several S
Department sites with over twenty regional
enforcement agencies, the Fresno County 1
Enforcement (FCL.£) network, and Emergency lnPlr!:llill .... 2
Centers. Programmers develop, update, and mai 3
applications, while other specialists create reports 4
verify the quality of data within the various systems. 5
6The IT Services group also manages .and
Sheriff's email and internet transactions, and
and mobile data terminal support for a staff of 1
patrol officers, corrections officers, command staff
administrative support.
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Fresno
(559) 233·7151
(559) 438-1011
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Nation Wide Service
24 Hr. Service
Dick Smith
Ucense #1215692
YNIW.srnittysbailbonds.com
Home OffICe:
P.O. Box 12964
Fresno. CA 93779
Now in our 48th year in Business 148
The Fresno County Sheriff's
partment Forensic Laboratories
By Michael W. Giberson
Supervising Criminalist
June 2003, the various units that provJde
nsic services to the Sheriff's Department
consolidated into one unit, the Forensic
. The Forensic Laboratory now consists
the following lJIlits:
1. Property and Evidence
Crime Scene
Crime Scene Reconstruction
DNA/Serology
Firearms/Toolmark
Narcotics Analysis
Director of Forensic Services executes overall
"''''',0>,,,,,,, of the Forensic Laboratory and reports
to the Central Field Services Bureau Captain.
Senior Identification Technicians supervise the
Scene Unit and the Property and Evidence Unit.
Supervising Criminalist supervises the DNA/
, Firearms/Toolmark, and Narcotic Analysis
Crime Scene Reconstruction is a collaborative
by all sections in the Laboratory, and supervi
these cases will be assigned according to the
needs of the case.
terms, "Identification Bureau" and "Tech-
Services," with respect to the Crime Scene
ofthe Forensic Laboratory, no longer exist.
Identification Unit has been detached and
under the administrative authority of the
OF FORENSIC SERVICES
idation of forensic services is best
in context with the history of forensic
services in th~ Sheriff's Department.
Prior to 1986, sworn deputy sheriffs who bore the
title of "Criminologist" staffed the Identification Bu
reau, or "I Bureau," and processed all major crime
scenes. In that year the first civilian Identification
Technicians were promoted from the Jailldentifica
lion Unit as the first phase of transitioning from sworn
to civilian crime scene personnel. This was done
primarily as a cost saving measure. As each Crimi
nologist retired, he was replaced with a civilian
Identification Technician. The last sworn p~rson, who
was the Senior Criminologist in charge of Technical
Services, retired in March 2003.
The Forensic Laboratory started with one Criminal
ist in 1973. It was housed in the basement of
Headquarters, directly across the hall from the
Identification Bureau. The complementary duties
of the Forensic Lab and Technical Services meant
that the two units had to work closely together. This
was aided by their close proximity. The Laboratory
ID TechniCian Hector Tello examining clothing with the aid of a
Allernale Light Source
2003 Sheriff's Review 149
nngerprints on a doorknob al Ihe poinl of entry
gradually added staff until it had one Supervising
Criminalist and three Criminalist Specialists. The
Forensic laboratory outgrew its quarters in the
basement of Headquarters and in 1998 it moved
into new quarters at 1256 Divisadero, sharing the
building with the Sheriff's Department Training
Unit. The Forensic Lab and Technical Services
continued to work together, but the physical
separation of the two units inevitably made com
munication and mutual support more difficult.
The retirement of the Supervising Criminalist and
the Senior Criminologist within a span of two years
provided a perfect opportunity to incorporate the
two units under one director to resurrect the close
physical and professional relationship they once
enjoyed. The Sheriff approved this action and it
took effect on June 9, 2003. The Director of
Forensic Services manages the Forensic Labora
tory at the level equivalent to lieutenant, reporting
directly to the Captain of the Centralized Field
Services Bureau.
MISSIONS AND OBJECTIVES
The stated mission of the Forensic Laboratory re
mains the same: to provide for its clients the timely,
accurate, and reliable scientific examination of physi
cal evidence, followed by the clear, unbiased and
objective interpretation of analyl:ical findings.
The objecUves of the Laboratory are:
1) To provide forensic analYSiS, interpretation,
and testimony to law enforcement agencies
and courts within Fresno County;
2) Establish a system of case prioritization,
which takes into account the needs of the
Sheriff's Department and the Criminal Justice
System;
3) Provide an unbiased, SCientifically objective
work product that is responsive to the Sheriffs
Department and the Criminal Justice System;
4) Maintain an integrated approach to the
ation of case material.
The incorporation of crime scene investigation
other duties provided by the former Tech
Services Unit enhances the Forensic Labo
efforts to pursue its missions and obj
Budgetary issues, training standards, d
ment of standard methods and procedures,
munication, proficiency testing and quality
ance, common certification, all serve to further
goals and objectives of the Forensic
and of the Sheriff's Department. In addition,
Laboratory is actively striving toward
by the American Society of Crime Lab Di
(ASCLD), necessary for obtaining various types
federal and state grant funding.
150
n entering dala into (he integrated Ballistic
Identification Syslme (IBIS)
AND EVIDENCE UNIT
1986, the Property and Evidence Unit was
under the supervision and control of the
Criminologist, where it remained until the
merger of the Forensic Lab and Technical
The Property and Evidence Unit is re
e for the custody, documentation, and
ion of all physical evidence seized or
by the Sheriff's Department. The place
of the Property and Evidence under the
of the Director of Forensic Services makes
sense when one realizes that all physical
collected by the Crime Scene Unit and
for analysis in the Forensic Laboratory
first be booked into Property. The best
evidence in the world becomes useless if
documented, preserved, and stored cor
The Property and Evidence Unit provides this
-accurately, completely, and without fail.
n TechniCians, supervised by a
Id Technician, staff the Property and Evi
it, which is located in the Headquarters
. This unit is, frankly, understaffed and
, particularly when one considers that
of items of evidence and property are
over thirty locations throughout the
area. A testament to the efficiency of
the Property and Evidence Unit is that it has never
(permanently) lost a single piece of physical
evidence. The care and nurturing of the Property
and Evidence Unit is of vital role for every person
in the Sheriff's department because the unit
provides direct and critical services for every
employee who deals with physical evidence and
property. Got a couple of found bicycles? Call
Property. Got, a ton of recovered agricultural
chemicals? Call Property. Seized a hundred thou
sand dollars in cash? Call Property. Stereos,
drugs, computers, firearms, rape kits, bloody
mattresses, tons of marijuana, thousands of items
of property of every conceivable description, etc.,
etc., are all documented, secured, and stored by
the Property and Evidence Unit, to be safely
preserved until it is needed for court or returned
to its rightful owner. And the Chain of Possession
is always right ...
CRIME SCENE UNIT
The Identification Technicians of the Crime Scene
Unit are the front-line troops of the Forensic
Laboratory. Virtually every piece of physical evi
dence from every major crime is identified, col
lected, documented, preserved, packaged and
booked into the Property and Evidence Unit by an
Identification Technician. But this is not all they
Director of Forensic Services Michael Koop fires into a bullet capture
device 2003 Sheriff's Review 151
do. Every Identification Technician receives hun
dreds of hours of specialized training in crime
scene investigation, latent fingerprint compari
son, footwear and tire impression comparison,
serial number restoration, crime scene photogra
phy, and crime scene reconstruction.
Nine ID Technicians staff the Crime Scene Unit,
working three shifts to provide around-the-clock
crime scene response fOl' the entire department.
A Senior Identification Technician supervises them.
In addition to field calls, the 10 Technicians
provide expert services in the following areas:
I
-latent fingerprint processing and examination
(including entering fingerprints into the Cal 10
automated fingerprint identification system),
-the restoration of obliterated serial numbers
on firearms and other serial number-bearing
devices such as stereos, televisions, and appli
ances,
-photography and physical evidence collection
at post-mortem examinations,
-examination and identification of shoe and
tire tracks collected from crime scenes,
-processing, packaging and preserving fragile
or easily destroyed evidence such as biologi
cal materials destined for examination by the
DNA/Serology Unit,
-separation and packaging of expended bullets
and cartridge casings collected from shooting
scenes, readying them for examination by the
Firearms/Toolmarks Unit,
-lifting latent fingerprints from narcotics pack
aging prior to analysis by the Narcotics Analy
sis Unit.
A specialized unit within the Crime Scene Unit is
the Video and Electronic Services unit, which
provides a host of services, including crime scene
videography, video surveillance, the production of
training tapes, and public service videography for
department staff.
In addition to providing the services described,
members of the Crime Scene Unit are always
ready to respond instantly to homicide and other
major crimes at the request of detectives from the
Persons Crimes Unit. They also respond to re
quests for crime scene investigation assistance
from other police agenCies in Fresno County.
All these tasks are performed at professional
levels that qualify the Identification Technicians as
expert witnesses in court. It seems almost impos
sible to do with only nine technicians.
DNA/SEROLOGY UNIT
The fastest growing and potentially most useful
forensic tool in the Forensic Laboratory is the
science of DNA analysis. Conventional typing of
genetic markers such as the ABO blood group
system, and ofthe polymorphic blood enzyme sub
systems such as PGM, have given way completely
to the typing of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). The
only exceptions are the identification of the se
men-specific protein P30 in semen stains,
species identification of bloodstains.
The conventional biological fluid typing is
are generally limited to the typing of blood, of
and semen. DNA analysis is much more ve
and can be pel10rmed on virtually any
containing nuclear DNA material: blood,
Lab Technologist Robert Benavides operates the drug analyzer 152
muscle tissue, semen, vagiRal secretions, bone,
skin tissue, feces, urine, and hair. In addition, the
DNA methods currently in use in the Forensic
Laboratory utilize a DNA amplification technique,
making them extremely sensitive. DNA analysis,
unlike the old enzyme systems, requires only small
amounts of evidence material.
Because DNA analysis is so sensitive and complex,
requires extraordinary skill and training on'"ihe
of the Identification Technician who collects
biological material at the scene, as well as the
inalist who analyzes it in the laboratory. The
" Pnl'IT'£'Cnion Tlchnicians in the Crime Scene Unit
specifically trained in the collection tech
.The two Criminalists who specialize in DNA
hold Masters of Science degrees, in
to the Bachelor of Science degree nor-
required of a Criminalist.
DNA analysis system, called STR (for Short
Repeat), is currently undergoing valida
and is scheduled to go on line in 2003. This
allow the conclusive identification of
persons; the chance of finding two
with the same DNA type in the STR system
ately one in a trillion, or the equivalent
one million planet earth populations.
development of the ability to conclusively
a person by their DNA is comparable to the
leap made in the science of identification
early 1900s, when the science of finger
supplanted the Bertillon measurement sys-
In fact, DNA typing is potentially even more
than fingerprints; the estimated probability
two persons having the same fingerprint
is 1 in 67 billion, or the equivalent of only
ten earth populations.
LMARK UNIT
of firearms related evidence is one of
ofthe Forensic Laboratory, with two
Senior ID Technician Mary Tigh
Criminalists specializing in this unique area of
expertise. In addition to conventional firearms
comparison examinations, the Laboratory admin
isters one of the five National Integrated Ballistic
Information Network (NIBIN) sites in the Central
Valley, and provides research and testing services
of duty ammunition for the Shel'iff's Department.
Toolmark and Firearms Comparison Examination
Conventional firearms evidence comparison and
examination consists of the familiar identification
of bullets and cartridge casings collected at crime
scenes by Identification Technicians in the Crime
Scene Unit. This type of identification is as power
ful in identifying a firearm as latent fingerprints
are in identifying a person.
Firearms comparison is actually a specialized area
of the science of tool mark identification. The
identification of a screwdriver used to pry open a
door may seem mundane when compared to the
identification of a homicide bullet, but it can be just
as important in the prosecution of criminal cases
such as burglaries.
Improper collection and handling of firearms and
tools can diminish their usefulness for identifying
impression evidence made by them. Toolmarks
and expended bullets are particularly susceptible
to damage if handled improperly. The Identifica
tion Technicians of the Crime Scene Unit are
2003 Sheriffs Review 153
DNA Analyzer
trained to col(ect firearms and tools, as well as
expended bullets and cartridge casings. and
toolmarks, in a manner that does not damage
them. Other common forensic examinations in
volving fi.'earms are:
-Distance determination of a firearm from the
target;
-Terminal ballistics (gelatin testing),
-Function testing (useful in accidental shoot
ing determinations), and
-General Rifling Characteristics (GRC) deter
mination, which provides the probable identify
of a firearms model based on the measure
ment of class characteris(,jcs found on fired
b1Jllets and cartridge cases.
NIBIN IBIS Services
The National Integrated Ballistic Information Net
work (NIBIN) is a jOint FBI-ATF-Local resource
program that enables partiCipating law enforce
ment agencies to store shooting-related data and
test-fire exemplars from recovered firearms in one
common system capable of performing compari
sons and producing probable matches. Using the
automated ballistics imaging technology of the
Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS), a
network of repositories for all crime guns has
been developed .that paraJlels the Automated Fin
gerprint Analysis System (AFAS) system main
tained by the FBI and used by CaIiD.
Images of bullets and cartridge casings from a
crime scenes, as well as test-fired bullets and n
cart"idge cases from firearms seized by law en
forcement, are entered into IBIS, which then T
compares them to similar images in a database r,
maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and 0
Firearms. Probable matches, or "cold hits," from vi
other IBIS sites in California are automatically a
reported back by ATF. Several thousand "cold hits" lJ
have been achieved nationwide by the system
since its inception in the early nineties. TI s.
The Forensic Laboratory possesses one of the five o
IBIS terminals in the valley. The other three are
located at the California Department of Justice o
Laboratory in Fresno, Stockton Police Depart·
ment, the Kern County District Attorney's Crime o
Lab in Bakersfield, and the Sacramento County F(
District Attorneys Crime Lab in Sacramento. The St
IBIS site in Kern County is connected to the NIBIN tic
network in the Los Angeles area. The other four liE
IBIS sites in the valley, as well as others in the Bay all
Area and Reno, share a common netWork adminis~
istered by the ATF Laboratory in Walnut Creek, ur
California.
The Forensic Laboratory currently test-fires and
enters into IBIS every firearm seized by Fresno
Police Department and the Fresno County Sheriff's
Department. Other Fresno County law enforce
ment agencies submit their firearms and related
evidence to the DOJ Fresno Laboratory for entry.
NARCOTICS ANALVSIS lJNIT
The Forensic Laboratory provides continuous
routine controlled substances analysis service
every law enforcement agency in Fresno Cou
with the exception of Fresno Police Depart
The controlled substance analysis program
unique within the State of California, in
virtually every drug sample submitted to
Narcotics Analysis Unit for analysis is an
and a report issued to the requesting agency,
the same day it is submitted. A conclusive
of analysiS accompanies virtually every "", ...9""'111111
substance complaint submitted to the
Attorney's office for filing, freeing the i 154
and the prosecutor (as well as the defense attor
ney) to concentrate on other probative issues.
The controlled substance analysis program is so
rapid and streamlined that in 1998, the Director
of the Forensic Services Section of Scotland Yard
visited the Forensic laboratory to see how it was
accomplished! In 2002, the Narcotics Analysis
Unit analyzed approximately 2500 cases.
.
The two Criminalists who perform controlled sub-
lance analysis are currently funded under the
Drug Suppression and CAl-METT grants.
nsolidation of all forensic services into the
nsic laboratory provides many benefits to the
Department and the laboratory. Eleva
of the Director of Forensic Services to the
level gives him a solid ability to manage
facets of forensic science and evidentiary
. and provides for equal voice with other
in matters regarding budget and planning.
Elimination ofthe vague and sometimes confusing
dicotomy between the laboratory and (former)
Technical Services helps to define and clarify the
role of the Forensic laboratory within the Sheriff's
Department. Placing the Identification Techni
cians and the Criminalists in the same unit
provides the opportunity to standardize methods
and procedures of physical evidence collection,
preservation and analysis, as well as training in
those procedllres. It also increases the scope of
flexibility of the Forensic laboratory, eliminates
duplication of effort, and strengthens communica
tion and support between field and laboratory
personnel, thereby broadening the knowledge
base and expertise of the Forensic laboratory and
the Sheriff's Department as a whole.
For the present, the Crime Scene Unit and Prop
erty and Evidence Sections are still housed in the
basement of headquarters. The DNA/Serology,
Firearms/Toolmark, and Narcotic Analysis Sec
tions are located at 1256 Divisadero, Fresno, next
to the Training Unit .
Supervising Criminalist Michael Giberson at the Forensic Comparison Microscope
2003 Sheriff's Review 155
Fresno County Sheriff's
Department Explorer Post 459
West
By Explorer Advisor Deputy Ramiro Rodl'iguez
Meet the Area One Explorers, f!'Om left to right, Esten Bulla, Armando
Covarrubias, IV Abraham MajalTes, Marisol Guzman, Lt Burton Cantu,
Adam Perez, Juan Ramirez, not pictured Eric Martinez.
It has been a busy year for these Explorers. They are required to attended
meetings twice a month, volunteer 16 hours a month, assist Deputies on Patrol,
assist the Community Service Officers and assist the D.A.R.E Deputies. These
young Explorers al'e very dedicated and loyal to the Fresno County Sheriff's
Department.
156 l Placeholder
Fresno County Sheriff's
Department Chaplains
f e Fresno County Sher'iff's Department has a
Chaplaincy Program that consists of 43 volu~_teer
men and women who are dedicated to serving
people in our County no matter the need, the hour, or
the distance traveled. They are made up of different
faiths, and they are trained to make sure that all faiths
are equally serv~ no matter what the circumstances,
the crisis, or the challenges posed. We have Chaplains
who are committed to serving our patrol units, our
dispatchers, our correctional staff and other support
services in our Department. And, we as Chaplains, are
aU committed to serving the citizens of our County that
our law enforcement agency is sworn to "protect and
also have another dedicated unit of Chaplains that
been especially trained to serve our schools
ut the County. They are known as School
urce Chaplains (SRC). These specially trained
ains work with our School Resource Officers and
I Administrators for the purpose of reaching out
the students who may need some additional
nra""tnn.rnn, extra support and referral, or' Simply a
ear. These SRC are dedicated to being
, on and off the campuses, for the purpose of
the vast resources of both the secular agencies
the faith community to the aid of the schools, the
and their' parents. They have been trained in
areas of Domestic Violence, Suicide Prevention,
and Affects of Youth Violence, and many other
ines. As such, these SRC ar'e well equipped in
solving, resource and referral, and bridge
The response from the School Super'intendents
and their School Principals in Central, Caruthers,
Raisin City, an~ other Unified School Districts, has been
outstanding. Many more School Superintendents are
requesting that we supply their schools with SRC. We
also have other' law enforcement agencies, along with
their Chaplains, who are Signing on to this progl'am to
facilitate SRC in the schools in their communities.
The Fresno County Sheriff's Department's Chaplains
core has additional trained volunteer Chaplains who
are now completing their background checks and
others are signing up for training on a regular basis.
We are also looking for other areas in which the broad
based faith community can serve alongside our
Department and community. We will soon be joining
forces with another' proven community organization
called Care Fresno to help establish learning centers in
multi-family units that have been plagued by high calls
for service and poor quality of life. Law enforcement,
neighborhood schools, churches, businesses, property
management and neighborhood associations are all
stakeholders who will equally serve these multi-family
complexes throughout the County for the purpose of
br'inging long-term stability to these multi family
complexes. The challenges are many; and in collaboration
with many other community-minded people in OUl'
County, the Chaplaincy will continue our efforts to
support those men and women in our Department who
put their lives on the line each and every day. We
continue to solicit your prayers and support for our
Chaplaincy family and the member's of the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department.
. J."
R Placeholder 157
School Resource Chaplains. Fronl row. Ron Gooier, Bonnie Slryhanyn, Lee Slryhanyn, Ali Umar, Roberlo Arce, Debi Ames, Carol Hickman. Back row. Gary
Weslra, Jerry Floralos, Henry Pauls, Janis Bizer, Aaron Keller, Lloyd Collrell, Robbie Cra\\iord.
158
Ron Gooier
County of Fresno Sheriff's Department 2002
Chaplain of the Year
/
Ron Gooier was our first School Resource Chaplain (SRC) in Fresno County. He has been
serving the Raisin City School District as a SRC for the last three years and has developed
a highly respected working relationship with the Superintendent and his staff in his dealings
with the students in their school. He makes himself readily available to counsel both students and
staff. He has aided in promoting feeding programs and the disbursement of school supplies to
children of parents who could not afford to get their children these supplies. Ron is always available
to help where needed. Ron and his wife, Linda, perform as professional clowns; and this has added
to his ability to relate positive values to the children on their level. He and his family attend the
Riverdale First Assembly of God Church, and he has been active in numerous ministries in that
church for a number of years. The Fresno County Sheriff's Department and its Chaplaincy are proud
to have chosen him to be our Chaplain of the Year for 2002. Thank you, Ron; keep up the good
work!
2003 Sheriff"s Review 159
Fresno County Peace Officers
Asso,ciation
By Robert C. Smith-retired FSO Life time member
T:e Fresno County Peace Officers Association is a
non-profit organization comprised of members of
the law enforcement community in Fresno County.
The Association was formed in 1936 as an
unincorporated organization, finally incorporating in
1954 Fresno County Sheriff's Department personnel
have been very ~ctive members in the association since
its beginning.
The purpose of the association is to promote the welfare
and improve the standards and skills of law enforcement
officers and to operate and maintain training and
recreational facilities for the benefit and use of its
members. Toward this end, the association provides
one of the best law enforcement ranges and training
facilities in California.
The Fresno County Peace Officers Association's opened
the first shooting range at Furlong airstrip an unused
airfield donated to the association by Frank FUI'long. It
was located at West Shaw and Golden State Boulevard.
In the early 1970's the range was moved to Riverview
Park located on North Weber Avenue, which is nOl'th of
Herndon Avenue. The plan and design for the range and
training facilities was developed by Under-sheriff llim
Long The inmates from the Fresno County Honor Farm
pl'ovided provided labor to develop the park under the
direction of Sheriff Mel Willmir'th. Many Fresno
businesses donated material required to build the
range.
Many law enforcement organizations jointly use and
support the facilities of the association through a very
inexpensive assessment. In addition, dues paid by
individual member's helps to covel' a large part of the
maintenance expense. All of this adds up to an excellent
training facility which does not cost Fresno County
taxpayers as much as the same facility would if owned
and maintained strictly at county expense.
The association provides three pistol ranges for pistol
and shotgun training and qualification, a range building
to house range training operations and supplies, a
canine training area for training and evaluation, and
classrooms in both the range building and the mult~
purpose hall. In addition, the area and structures of the
picnic grounds are used for instruction and role-playing
exercises.
The current association dues are $50 pel' year;
member'ship includes privilege to use the range facility
and picnic area. Board members are:
President of the Association Tom Klose (retired FSO)
and now the Sanger Police Chief and ""~""",IIJUIJI'
Secretary Ester Boranian (559) 222-3588.
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160
I
Central Valley Desperadoes:
The Story of Sontag and Evans
By Scott Morrison
n the annals of 191h century banditry in the Valley,
Joaquin Murrieta's renown stands above all others.
The redoubtable Tiburcio Vasquez also raided, r-obed
and spread fear across the plains. But, no outlaw band
took a greater toll among the ranks of Valley lawmen
then the deadly duo of John Sontag and Chris Evans.
Evans was orn in Canada in 1847, and claimed
10 have served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
arrived in the Valley around 1870, turning his hand
a series of laboring occupations. In 1874, he married
Byrd, a fifteen-year-old farm' girl from north of
ia. Over the next fifteen years Evans was known
as a hard working family man, who farmed
.took laboring jobs to support his growing family.
1887, Evans met and became friends with John
26, a transplanted Minnesotan. Sontag (born
Contant, he took his stepfathers name) had
for the Southern Pacific Railroad until he was
injured in a rail yard accident in Fresno. Sontag
a grudge against the company.
the summer of 1890, Sontag and Evans returned to
three-acre piece of the northern outskirts of Visalia.
traveled back to Minnesota to see his family.
there, Sontag told his younger brother, George
, that he and Evans had committed train robberies
Pixley, Goshen, and Ceres. In November 1891, the
brothers held up a train together outside Chicago.
afterwards left, returning to California.
and railroad detectives in California did, in
have unsolved train robberies in Pixley, Goshen,
Ceres. The crimes had been pulled off by two
men, and in the Pixley case, in February, 1889,
Deputy Constable Ed Bentley and a citizen had
shot, and killed by the suspects when they got off
train to investigate the unscheduled stop. In the
robbery, in January 1890, a tramp was shot
killed by the suspect.
In the summer of 1892, Chris Evans arrived in Minnesota
using the alias, Charles Naughton. Evans and George
Contant soon" teamed up on an unsuccessful train
robbery in Minnesota. Contant, who had served a prior
prison term, quickly fell under suspicion, but there
wasn't enough evidence to charge him. Evans and
Constant split up and made their way to California
separately. Constant was trailed by railroad and express
company detectives to Fresno where he took a room at
Tulare and "I" street on July 14th. Constant remained in
Fresno until July 22nd , when he checked out of his room
and dropped out of sight.
Just before midnight on the evening of August 3, 1892,
the Southern Pacific's Los Angeles Express # 17, heading
from San Francisco to L.A. through the Valley, made a
brief stop at Collis (Kerman). As the train was pulling
out for Fresno, passengers and crewmen observed two
men, possibly tramps, jump on the back of the tender.
A few minutes later, the engineer, the firemen and a
laborer saw two men crawling towards the engine
across the top of the water tank. The men were pOinting
guns at them. The railroaders stood with their hands
up as the masked men climbed down to the engine. The
bandits passed out cigars for the men to smoke and
informed them that they wouldn't be hurt if they
followed directions. At Rolinda the engineer obeyed
their command to brin the train to a halt.
2003 Sheriffs Review 161
GeOI'!~e Conlanl
The engineer was ordered by the bandits to walk east
down the tracks for a distance and he gladly complied.
The robbers then walked the firemen back to the
express car, where the Wells Fargo safe was located.
Passengers, wondering about the unscheduled stop,
stuck their heads out their windows to see what was
going on. One of the bandits discouraged theil' curiosity
by fir'ing his shotgun at them over the fireman's
shoulder, sending the passengers diving beneath their
seats. The express messenger, Louis Roberts, alerted
by the gunshots, turned out the lights in the express car
and took cover with his .45, ready to blast anyone
attempting to enter. The .45 offered Roberts no
protection against the dynamite charges the bandits
used to blow open the door. Stunned and with a
dislocated shoulder, he could offer no resistance and
surrender. Roberts was hoisted in front of Lhe safe and
ordered to open it. He lied to the bandits, telling them
that the safe had a time lock. A blow across the head
with the barrel of a shotgun and a threat of immediaLe
death convinced Roberts that the men meant business.
He dialed the combination, and three bags of silver and
gold (valued at $2000) were quickly removed from the
safe.
Before departing, the bandits lit a disabling charge of
dynamite on a piston rod on the engine, ensuring that
the train would not be able to reach Fresno and raise
alarm until they were well out of the area. They then
walked off into the darkness
The engineer made emergency repairs in twenty minutes,
but it took over an hour for the train to slowly creep the
remaining distance into Fresno. Sheriff John Hensley,
several Deputies and railroad detectives responded to
the scene, and in the course of the morning determined
that the bandits had fled the area in a buggy or wagon
pulled by two horses. The tracks of the suspect's vehicle
we!'e lost on heavily traveled White Bridge Road.
Though only two bandits had been observed, tracks
where their horses had been waiting the local
schoolhouse led officers to believe that additional
suspects we!e involved in the plot.
Contant, Sontag and Evans were immediately suspected
in the case . On August 5th , Contant was picked up at
Chris Evans' house in Visalia, by Railroad Detective Will
Smith and Tulare County Deputy George Witty. He was
questioned a the Sheriff's office in regard to the crime,
and after giving inconsistent statements he was arrested
and booked into the county jail.
Later that afternoon, Smith and Witty returned to Evan's
place to pick up John Sontag and bring him in for
questioning. The officer observed Sontag entering the
front of the house as they arrived, and they followed him
in moments later. Inside they met Evans, who
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that Sontag was not there. Smith stated that he
Sontag was there and pulled aside a drape covering
bedroom doorway. In the bedroom he observed
with a shotgun. Stepping back, Smith and Witty saw
Evans had also armed himself with at shotgun.
officers quickly fled out the front of the house with
suspects in pursuit. Smith, who vaulted the fence,
chased and fired on by Sontag. Witty ran out of the
gate with Evans on his heels, firing, Smith
minor pellet wounds in his back and hands, but With
posse members dead, shot up and in disarray,
had time to bandage Sontag's arm before the
dangerous men retreated from the scene at a
pace.
m
John Sontag 162
Jim Young's Cabin eplember, 1892
escaped. Witty was brought down with serious wounds
to the back afld face. As he lay bleeding, with
Evansstanding over him, Witty begged the bandit not to
shoot him again, advising that he was already fatally
wounded (he did, in fact, survive). Sontag and Evans
immediately fled out of town to the north, taking the rig
that Smith and Witty had arl'ived in.
Alarge posse was formed and took in pursuit of the
Late that evening, a small squad of men was
led to stake out the Evans home on the off chance
the men might return. Shortly after the officers
at the Evans place, they heard a noise in the
Shooting broke out and while trading shots with
Tulare County Deputy Oscar Beaver, aged 34 was
\y wounded. Sontag and Evans' horses were
ed in the affray, and they had to make their
on foot.
and Evans fled to the Sierra foothills and a
for $10,000 was placed on their heads. The
rn Pacific brought in lawmen searching for the
but for a month there were a few indications of their
uts. Evans owned a mining claim at Sampson's
(located a few miles N/ of the current intersection
Millwood/Hwy 180), and was very familiar with the
ns of Fresno and Tulare County.
September 12"1 , one of the posse rested at the Sans
Ranch (Sans Baker Rd./Ruth Hill Rd) above
Among the posse were Deputy U.S. Marshals
Coke Wilson from Arizona and Andy McGinnis
Modesto, Yuma County (Arizona) Deputy Frank
two Indian trackers, Pelon and Cameno, AI Witty
of the wounded Tulare Deputy), Railroad
Detective Will Smith and Sanger Constable Warren Hill.
On the morning of the 13"\ the posse started fOl'
Sampson's Flat, where they had previously found signs
that the killers had camped.
When they reached Sampson's Flat, the posse pulled up
outside the gate at Jim Young's cabin to leave a note for
a posse member due to rejoin the party the next day.
Wilson and McGinnis dismounted and started up the
path for a caQbin, while Burke wandered into Young's
watermelon patch looking for a ripe melon. When
Wilson and McGinnis went down, wounded by Sontag's
fire. The gunman rushed out. Wilson fell fatally
wounded with a load of Evans' buckshot in the neck and
shoulder. Smith and Hill's horses bolted with their
rifles, and they had little choice but ,to run for cover.
Pelon and Came no took cover behind rocks next to the
gate and briefly exchanged fire with the outlaws before
fleeing.
At that pOint, just when Sontag and Evans believed the
battle was over, they came under fore from the rear.
Sontag was wounded in the right arm and Evans was
grazed over the left eye. The ambushers wheeled
around, discovering that the wounded Andy McGinnis,
down, lying on his back, was f'iring at them. Evans
quickly finished McGinnis off with a round to the head.
With the posse members dead, shot up and in disarray,
Evans had time to bandage Sontag's arm before the two
dangerous men retreated from the scene at a measured
pace
r-------------------------------~
US Marshall Wilson
2003 Sheriff's Review 163
The debacle at Sampson's Flat didn't stop the officers
from combing the hills for the killers, but their efforts
went unrewarded. Either through friendship with the
bandits, or because of a well-rounded fear, the officers
received little information of their movements from the
hill people.
In an October, 1892, interview with a San Francisco
reporter, the bandits denied involvement in the train
robberies, denigrated the officers who survived the
Sampson's Flat ambush and portrayed themse'!ves as
victims of the unpopular Southern Pacific Railroad.
Sontag's brother, George Contant, went on trial in
Fresno for the Rolinda train robbery in late October.
The chief pieces of evidence were a cloth mask recovered
from a trunk in Evans' barn and $1,000 worth of
Peruvian coins (part of the loss in the robbery) found
buried under a grapevine on the Evans property.
Contant was convicted of the robbery and sentenced to
life in prison early November.
Through the winter the posses continued their fruitless
tl'eks across the hills for the bandits. In December,
Sheriff Hensley arrested Clark Moore, a Sampson's Flat
resident and avowed friend of the killers, on a charge
of harboring and aiding the pair. On April 19, 1893,
Tulare County Sheriff Eugene Kay received information
from neighborhood children that Sontag and Evans
were at the Evans house in Visalia. Kay gathered nine
men and set them in ambush positions on roads around
the house. At about 10:45 that evening, discerning
movement outside, the wanted men jumped into a
buggy and fled through a hail of fire towards Goshen.
One advantage authorities had over the bandits was the
resource of the business interests which were determined
to run the pair to ground. In October 1892, Samuel
Black of the Morse Detective Agency infiltrated the hills
in an undercover'capacity. Black set himself up at Camp
Badger (Badger, Tulare County) in the guise of a
carpenter. From there, Black learned what he could
about the killers, pass.ng on his intelligence to authorities
in the Valley.
Somehow, Sontag and Evans became aware of Black
and his true purpose of being in the hills. The killers
sent people to Black with solemen warnings that he
should get out of the hills. They were warnings that
Black ignored. On May 26th , at 9 PM, Black was
returning to his cabin at Camp Badger with an associate,
Tom Burns. As they reached the cabin they were
ambushed. Burns was able to flee unscathed, but Black
was hot gunned in the legs and hand. Black managed
to make it inside his cabin, reach his gun, and return
fire through the walls at his attackers. After a short
firefight, the assailants fled into the night. In a
newspaper interview after the ambush, the
Fargo
group
stalwar1
Black announced his intention to return to the hills as
soon as his wounds were healed.
Discouraged by the lack of progress in the hunt, the new
Fresno County Sheriff, Jay Scott, and Wells
Detective John Thacker selected a small
experienced officers to go after the killers. U.S.
George Gard from Los Angeles headed the posse, wh
was made up of Fresno County Deputy Sheriff Hiram
Rapelje, Nevada lawmen Fred Jackson and Tom
(who had been with Black during the Camp
ambush).
The men sneaked out of Fresno at night to avoid
chance that the bandits would receive reports of a
posse being in the field.
They also used different tactics than the earlier
To remain unobtrusive, the men made camps
fil'es and fed on crackers, sardines and water. I
of wearing out themselves and their horses tearing
and down hills, the new posse laid ambushes on
used by the bandits.
On the afternoon of June 11, 1893, after a week on
trail, the posse was resting in a cabin at a place
164
as Stone Corral, eighteen miles northeast of Visalia.
Before dusk Rapelje observed two men approaching on
foot. When the men closed within range the lawmen
recognized them as Sontag and Evans and opened fire.
The desperadoes were at a great disadvantage, having
only piles of manure and straw for cover against the
posse's rifles. Both bandits were seriously wounded
during the fight, but kept up their fire on the posse,
wounding Fred Jackson in the left leg.
When it grew dark the firing died down. Evans had-been
wounded in both arms and the right eye. Sontag had
been wounded several times, most seriously in the
chest and shoulder. Evans asked Sontag if he could
move, Sontag refJlied that he could not, and asked Vans
10 finish him off with a bullet to the brain. Evans refused.
Making Sontag as comfortable as he could, Evans
covered his partner with straw and then began crawling
away. As he moved off, Evans suffered a further wound
10 his back from "Hi" Rapelje's rifle, but he jumped up
ran off, disappearing into the darkness.
Evan's escape, Rapelje loaded Fred Jackson into
wagon and hurried off towards Visalia to get his
d treated (Jackson's left leg was subsequently
below the knee). Meanwhile, Gard and
took positions to prevent Sontag from crawling
into the darkness. After rushing Jackson to a doctor,
contacted Tulare S.O. to get more men to return
the scene. He also wired Sheriff Jay Scott in Fresno
respond with a posse to track down Evans.
At dawn, Gard, Burns, Rapelje and the Visalia
reinforcements moved in and took the seriously wounded
Sontag into custody. He was loaded into a wagon and
transported to the Tulare County Jail.
After leaving his comrade, Evans made his way six miles
east to the home of Elijah Perkins (a relative of Evan's
wife) in Wilcox Canyon. As his wounds were dressed
Perkins suggested that Evans turn himself in. Evans
refused and ~ent to bed for some rest.
As Evans slept, a nervous Perkins decided to I'id himself
of his uninvited guest. He rode into Visalia and
contacted Under Sheriff Will Hall of TCSO and informed
him of Evans whereabouts and condition. Hall gathered
a couple of men and hurried in buggies towards Wilcox
Canyon.
Fresno County Sheriff Jay Scott had arrives in the area
with a posse, meeting Deputy "Hi" Rapelje. The posse
observed the buggies of Under Sheriff Hall hurrying
east towards Wilcox Canyon and suspected it might be
someone going to assist Evans. The fresno posse
pursues the buggies, but they arrived at the Perkins
ranch house a couple of minutes before the Fresno
officers.
Chris Evans wounded at Tulare County Jail
2003 Sheriff's Review 165
While hiding in the hills, and while in custody after the
Stone Corral fight, Sontag and Evans freely gave
interviews to big city reporters. The theme of these
interviews was that they had nothing to do with the
Rolinda train robbery, that the initial shooting at the
EvanS home. It occurred because Railroad Detective
Will Smith spoke roughly to one of Evans daughters, and
that the bandits had nothing against the sworn officers
who were chasing them, only against "blood money"
men in the employ of the railroad. "...
The Southern Pacific was very unpopular with typical
Valley residents at that time primarily for two reasons.
Firstly, the railroad charged struggling farmer
unconscionable' rates for transporting their crops to
market. And secondly, the raill'Oad had played a pivotal
role in causing the Mussel Slough Massacre of May,
1880, in which five farmers I'esisting evictions were
shot and killed a couple miles south of Laton.
With a view towards raising money for Chris's defense
and influencing the public's perception of the case,
Molly Evans and her daughter, Eva, accepted a promoters
offer and took to the stage in the summer of 1893, in
a production titled, "The Sontag Tragedy." The play
opened in San Francisco to great success, with good
reviews for the fifteen year old Eva Evans. In the play
the villain, "Wily Smooth" (Det. Will Smith) makes
ungentlemanly advances to the virtuous Eva, who is
then protected by gallant John Sontag. The innocent
Sontag and Evans are eventually brought to bay by the
hounds of the evil railroad robber's barons. The
Ed /,lorl'ell
production played up and down the state, including
successful performances at the Barton Opera House in
Fresno. Theater owners in Visaila and Hanford refused
to present the play. A performance was put on in a barn
in Hanford.
Evans came to trial in Fresno in November, 1893, on the
sole charge of murdering U.S. Marshal Vernon Coke
Wilson. At that tine, defendants separate tr'ials for each
specific coupt. To Evans' consternation, the star
witness in the case was his erstwile partner, George
Conlant.
Contant, after his conviction in the Rolinda train
robbery, had been sent to Folsom Prison. On June 26,
1893, he had taken part in a doomed prison break. The
guards shot three of his companions dead, and Contanl
was seriously wounded. After John Sontag's death al
the Fresno County Jail, Mrs. Sontag traveled to Folsom
to visit her other wounded son. She apparently
informed George that she had been treated shabbily by
Molly Evans. For that reason, and clearly to bring his
parole date closer, George Contant offered to testify
against Chris Evans.
Content told all at Evans trial, detailing the train
robberies he'd pulled with his brother and with Chris
Evans. On December 14th , Evans returned a verdict
and
of 1
pt degree murder in the death of Wilson, I
recommended a life sentence.
Evans was returned to the jail to await his sentence.
visited each day by his faithful Molly. The D.A. did not
proceed with trials for the murder of Dep. Marshal
McGinnis or the Rolinda train robbery.
On December 28th , Moly arrived at the jail at 5:30
informing Jailer Ben Scott (brother of Sheriff Jay
that a waiter from a local restaurant wou1d be
with a dinner she had purchased for Chris. At 6 PM
waiter arrived with a tray and was locked in the cell
Chris and Molly. Ten minutes later Scott responded
the waiter's call and unlocked the cell door to let
out. After the door opened, Scott found himself
down the barrels of revolvers wielding by Evans and
"waiter," a recently released convict named Ed
166
Evans and Morrell for'ced Ben Scott to accompany them
as they made their way out of the jail, and across a
darkened 'M' St. They turned eastbound on Mariposa
(in front of the current day FPD), heading for a buggy
and team of horses Morrell had left of Mariposa & '0'
st. On Mariposa they ran into Stephen Cole, a former
mayor of Fresno, and forced him to join their band.
While Evans escorted Scott and Cole, Mor'rell moved
ahead towards the waiting horses. At Mariposa & '0'
8t. Morr'ell had the misfortune to bump into Fresno City
Marshal John D. Morgan (later the 1st Chief of FPD) and
another man. Morrell pulled his gun OJ] them, but
Morgan jumped him and quickly gained control of the
smaller man. Evans ran to the aid of Morrell, leaving
Scott and Cole, .who immediately fled. Before Morgan
was able to disarm MorTell, Evans arrived on the scene
and shot the Mar'shal in the r'ight shoulder'. During the
struggle with Mor'gan, the waiting horses spooked and
ran off to the north.
unlucky duo then ran south across Tulare St. At the
of Monol'O' St. the pair came across a newspaper
boy returning home with his horse and cart.
relieved him of his tr'ansportation, shooting at his
and brother' who tr'ied to interfere, and headed
on the Centerville Road (Ventura).
stolen horse wandered into Sanger the next day.
and Morrell had made their way to the Pine Flat
(no lake then) where they were outfitted and
by friends and those too afraid to say, "no."
Evans was arrested for' arTanging the escape of
husband, but as was very common when women
arrested for' crimes in that era, was later released
embarrassed Sheriff Jay Scott responded to the
Flat area with Deputies L.P. Timmins, P.F. Peck,
White, and former' Sheriff O.J. Meade. Though the
people were fed up facing a second round of Evans
few ignor'ed the threats Chr'is made about
would happen to anyone who informed on him.
Jay Scott was determined, and he kept his deputies
ally on the hunt in the hills. On February 4,
, Deputies L.P. Timmins and C.M. Boyd traded
with Evans and MorTell at a place called Slick Rock,
Badger. Scott's men combed the area, and on
Chris Evans as an old man
February 7th, a posse consisting of Deputies Henry,
Mills, Rapelje, Timmins and Peck discovered tracks
leading into heavy manzanita brush south of Badger.
Dep. Henry crept in and observed a small hidden cabin
surrounded by rocks and brush. Timmins and Peck
were sent to close off an avenue of retreat on the far side
of the cabin surrounded by rocks and brush, but noise
brought the cr'iminals out of their lair: Will Henry
whistled a round past Evans' head, and the two bandits
ran odd into the cold in their shir'tsleeves.
In the small cabin, which the posse dubbed "Camp
Manzanita," the deputies found clothes, a two-month
supply of food, 500 rounds of ammunition and the
artificial arm which Evans had been fitted with in the
county jail. After seizing the bandits' supplies, the cabin
was burned down to deny them shelter'.
On the mOl'ning of February 1911\ Sheriff Kay of Tulare
County received word that Evans and Morrell were back
at Evans' house. Kay surrounded the house with a large
group of deputies and waited. Kay eventually made
contact with Evans and negotiated their surrender'. The
tattered and word Evans admitted that the pr'essure by
the Fresno deputies had driven them from the hills.
Kay wired Jay Scott information of the arrest and he and
his deputies arrived on the Fresno train that evening.
Visalians were fed up with Chris Ev~ns, and the mood
of the townspeople was ugly. Talk of a lynching was in
the streets. After letting it be known that Evans would
be moved to Fresno the next day, Scott huddled with
Kay. After dark, Evans and Morrell were bundled into
a buggy by Scott, Kay and Dep. Geg~&~h~ilt~h~,t1d 167
spirited towards Fresno. Irate Visalians who had
learned of the lawmen's ruse gave chase unsuccessfully.
At 10 AM the next morning Sheriff Scott had Evans in
Fresno County Superior Court to receive his sentence
of life imprisonment. At noon a heavily guarded Evans
was placed on a northbound train. He slept that night
at Folsom Prison. George Conlant was paroled March
20, 1908, and wrote a book, "A Pardoned tifer," in
which he detailed his experiences. In 1914~ he
produced a well-received
Morrell was tried and convicted for his involvement in
the escape and sent to prison. He was paroled March
14, 1908 and 1ater became a great friend of Jack
london, the writer.
George Conlant was paroled March 20, 1908, and
wrote a book, "A Pardoned lifer," in which he detailed
his experiences. In 1914, he produced a well-received
moving picture on the Sontag and Evans saga entitled,
"The Folly of a life of Crime."
During his time in Folsom, Evans wrote a book, "Eurasia,"
about an ideal society. Early in the 20th century, Eva
Evans began a campaign for the release of her aging,
disabled fathtw. The campaign failed, but she would re
new it every couple of years. Finally, with the support
of many of the men who tracked him down, the 64 year
old Evans was paroled on May 1, 1911.
Evans moved to Portland, Oregon, where his family had
re-Iocated, and worked as a nightwatchman'. Against
all odds, Chris Evans died a quiet death surrounded by
his family on Februal'Y 9, 1917.
Camp Manzanita after the cabin was burned
168 L Placeholder
The Wyllie Law
The Sheriff and The Cave
By Scott Morrison
R·II Jones was the shel'iff on the morning of
January 17, 1920, when Fresno County, along
ith the rest of the United States, woke up
18thofficially "dry" as a result of the Amendment
imposing prohibition. Over the next thirteen years, until
prohibition's repeal, the enforcement of the liquor laws
took up much of {he time of Fresno's deputies. Bill
Jones, however, was not the first Fresno County Sheriff
kept busy fighting illegal liquor trafficking.
The temperance movement has been working across
the country for half a century to impose a liquor ban.
Anti-liquor elements had partial success in many states
and localities long before the national prohibition took
effect in 1920; and much of the country was already
"dry," including most of Fresno County. In 1911, the
California Legislation had passed the Wyllie Local
Option law. The Wyllie Law allowed cities and counties
to decide for themselves whether or not they would
licensed premises in their jurisdictions.
over the issue took place all across Fresno
unty. City after city... Sanger...
..Reedley...Fowler... Kingsburg ... Clovis... went "dry."
May 14, 1912, the residents of the unincorporated
of Fresno County voted on August 12th , 39 saloons
roadhouses closed down in unincorporated areas
the county. At that point, the only "wet" cities in
County, where a legal drink could still be
, were Fresno and the oil boomtown of Coalinga
course, not everyone was pleased when their locality
"dry." Forebaugh is one of the few places, which
claim that it's love of liquor led to the incorporation
city. Firebaugh residents (and bar owners) were
unhappy with the closure of their nine saloons that
ration was proposed, and in September 1914,
. The new city was born "wet."
Though incorporation was a novel approach to solving
the problem ofe being in a "dry" area, the more typical
solution was to purchase a bottle of bootleg booze or to
patronize a "blind pig" (an unlicensed bar).
And so, in the summer of 1916, Sheriff Horace
Thorwaldson found himself spending large amounts of
his time tracking down bootleggers and blind piggers.
His great success in this activity led to a shortage
storage space for the booze he'd seized. In August,
1916, Thorwaldson had to apply to the Superior Court
for an order of destruction, allowing him to dump 50
gallons of whiskey and 100 dozen quarts of beer down
the sewer.
Thorwaldson was a supporter of prohibition, but
apparently not an unreasonable man. When he received
information of an establishment dispensing booze at
Biola Junction, he contacted the operator about the
activity and warned him to Junction, he contacted the
operator about the activity and warned him to stop
............ several times. However, the proprietor continued
with his business and sheriff eventually had no recourse
but to take action. An undercover operation was sent to
the place and a purchase of beer was made.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 26, 1916, Sheriff
Thornwaldson and Deputy Ray Johnson traveled to
Biola Junction and conducted a raid on the resort,
seizing beer and wine and arresting the owner, B.
Forest. Mr. Forest pleaded not guilty when the DA
charged him with violating the Wyllie Law and he came
up for trial in Superior Court on October 5th • During the
trial, the undercover officer, C.A. Blackburn, testified to
the purchase of a boUle of beer for $1.00. Sheriff
Thornwaldson testified to the warnings he had given the
defendant and the seizure of alcohol during the trial.
The suspect took the stand in his own defense, admitting
to possession of alcohol, but denying that he sold any
to the officer. The suspect stated the officer had
2003 Sheriff's Review 169
purported be interested in purchasing the property,
and he had given the beer' to the man (which was
per'missible under the Wyllie Law). The jury deliberated
the case for over an hour before advising Judge H.Z.
Austin that they were deadlocked 6-6.
Cases ending in hung juries were frequenlly dismissed
without re-trial in those days; and, that is appar'ently
what occurred in this case. No evidence of a second
trial, or of further violations by the suspect has been
discovered.
Oh, and by the way, back in 1916, Biola Junction was
the name for the area of Fresno that is now known as
Highway City. And, "B. Forest" was actually an anglicized
version of the suspect's real name, Baldasar'e Forestiere.
And, the blind pig where the illicit activity took place was
then called "The Cave," but it's now known as the
"Under'ground Gardens."
(For the tour schedule of Fresno's last known blind pig
call 271-0734
Military Service
Eric Broughton
Deputy Eric Broughton was recalled to active duty from
November 1,2001 through October 31,2002. During that time,
he was the senior investigator' assigned to the Joint Drug
Enforcement Team at Edwards AFB, CA. Those investigations led to
serving feder'al search warrants throughout southern California
and intercepting a drug courier at LAX. He is currently assigned to
the 95th Security Forces Squadron tl'aining section (Edwards AFB)
-
Gilbert Lopez
Li pez was assigned to the 40th Military Police Company at
Fort Lewis, WA. In support of oper'ations Noble Eagle and
nduring Freedom, he learned the sacrifices that all soldiers go
through when they are called for active duty. As a Patrol Supervisor and
company trainer, Lopez learned that the nation today needs men and
women who think in terms of service to their' country and "not" in terms of
what the country owes them.
170
duly during the Gulf War.
nation on. e
Scott Brown
Deputy Scott Brown was r'ecalled to active duty to the 144th Security FOI'ces
Squadron, Fresno Air National Guard Base, Fresno, Califomia on Sept. 11 th,
2001. That was the day all hell broke lose in New York and other' parts of the
East Coast. The base is located on McKinley Ave. between Clovis and Peach in
Fresno. He worked there as a Technical Sergeant in the Security Forces Squadron.
There he is a Flight Chief and Fire Team Leader or Supervisor. During his recall he
was stationed at the base in Fresno for one year and then in Sept. of 2002 he was
sent to the 405th Air Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, 405th Expeditionary
Mission Support GI'OUP, 405th Air ExpeditionaryWing, Sultanate of Oman as a Force
Protection Cell Team member. He worked 6 days a week for 12 hours a day and
some times more. He had 24 hour duty once every three days. Brown ensUl'ed
(Jommer'cial vendors and Third Country Nationals were authOl'ized entry into the
initiated an ent~authority list-training program for all wing user's, improving the effectiveness of the submission
processes and validation of this high profile program. Brown also enhanced the off-base dr'iving program,
conducting training sessions during on-dUty and off-duty hours. He volunteered to participate in the wing Force
Protection Driver Program, escorting and providing security for unit personnel required to travel, on occasion
great distances from the base, for mission essential tasks. He improved base-wide force protection awareness
by designing wing force protection graphics for posting throughout the base. In a nut shell, Brown made sure
all security measures were adhered to so that all personnel would go home alive and in one piece. During the
time he was recalled to active duty Brown received from the 144th Fighter Wing Commander, The Air Force
Achievement Medal, was nominated for' Outstanding NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) of the year for Super'ior
Performance and received the California Accommodation Medal for Outstanding Achievement. He received from
lieutenant General Moseley, Commander, USCENTAF, The Air' Force Achievement Medal for my achievements in
Oman. And also received my 2nd National Defense Service Medal for this campaign. For those of you that don't
know, this was his 2nd war while working for the Fresno County Sheriff's Department. I was also r'ecalled to active
Jasvir Mattu Robert Cerda
Ii PI Cerda was involuntarily
Squadl'On(144th Fighter Wing) California Air
altu is a member of 144th Security Forces
activated along with his
National Guar'd, which is located in Fr'esno. He arine Corps reserve unit,
been in this unit for about twelve years. Mattu was MWSS 473 Det A. they were called
in the early morning of 09Sep01. Most of my to fill in for MWSS 373 MCAS
moths on activation he was stationed in Fresno. Mil'amar and MWSS 372 Camp
spent six months overseas(Qatar) to support OperaPendleton . While he was in Camp
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pendleton he was qualified as an
also got the opportunity to go to Pakistan, Oman and explosive handler/hazmat driver'
Mattu also served in the Marine Corps for six years and licensed to drive a M4900 ARC (Aircraft Refueling
active duty prior to joining the Guard. He has been Capable) fuel truck. He and 3 other drivers were
the service for about eighteen years. assigned to work with MCAS Camp Pendleton fuels
division, defueling Cobra and Huey helicopters. While
on active duty he r'eceived the Armed Forces Reserve
Medal with a mobilization "M", the National Defense
Service Medal, and the Selected Marine Corps reserve
Medal.
2003 Sheriff's Review 171
•
Charles Flores
Correctional Officer FlOI'es served with the 1/1851h
infantry, 40th Division as a sniper, then later as
a Mortar Man with the Army National Guard. After
9/11, he was activated and sent to Fort Lewis, Washing
ton, near Seattle. There he was trained in chemical
warfare and police procedUl'es, which included car
stops, search and seizures, building entries and sniper
lI'aining. After this training, Flores was sent to Fort
Hunter Leggett. He r'eturned to work on October' 16,
2002.
Cor,r,ectional Officer Daniel Encinas joined the
Ar'my National Guard in 1988. He attended
training at Fort Knox, Kentucky for Calvary
reconnaissance scoul. After' boot camp, he was
assigned to the 40lh division 1/185 (mech.) Infan
try, Battalion, Scout Platoon. While being a member
of the 1/185, Encinas was activated in Operation
Garden plot (LA riots) in 1992, Operation Millen
nium (y2K) in 2000, and Operation Noble Eagle/
Enduring Freedom from October 1,2001 to October
of 2002. After Operalion Noble Eagle, he was then
18thtransferred to the Calvary H-troop out of
Merced.
Daniel Encinas
172
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Autosound lab 45 Pacific Marine Center 110
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Curtis Towing 72 Presley's Military Supplies 121
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Dick Smith Bail Bonds 122 Raney Saddlery 121
Eleventh Hour 121 Reedley Flower Shop 34
Evercom Systems Inc. 92 Richard's 26
Eye-Q Laser Center 173 Sam's Party Rental 129
Fairwinds 129 Samos Kitchen 45
Fresno County Federal Credit Union inside front cover Santellan Concrete -122, 45
Fresno County Human Services System 92 Scoops Soups and More 34
fresno Lincoln Mercury Volvo 122 Sear's, Roebuck & Co. 122
Harl'is Ranch back inside covel' Semper Truck Lines 34
Herb Bauer Sporting Goods 26 Smitty's Bail Bonds 148
J's Communication 24 The Ed Jones Co 70
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176
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