San Diego County Sheriff - June 2016
San Diego County Sheriff
Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
 
  
  
The men and women of the Senior Volunteer Patrol donate their time and talents to support deputies out in the community.  In this month's newsletter, you will learn some of the many things Senior Volunteers do to keep you safe.  From FREE vacation checks to visiting homebound seniors, the Senior Volunteer Patrol is dedicated to making a positive difference in San Diego County.  
    
One of our Senior Volunteers even had the great honor of personally working for President Ronald Reagan.  In this newsletter, you will get to watch a fascinating video about Senior Volunteer Patrol member Joe Ruthenberg's time with the President and how he continues his life of service with the Sheriff's Department.  
    
Stay safe,   
   
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County

A Life Of Service 


June 23rd is Public Service Day.  We would like to thank our nearly 2,000 volunteers who give so much to help us keep San Diegans safe.  They bring career experiences from various backgrounds to make a difference. 
 
One of the volunteers who keeps serving  his community is Senior Volunteer Joe Ruthenberg from the Vista Sheriff's Station.  He served 23 years in the Marine Corps flying planes and helicopters. 
 
One special assignment took him to the White House as a co-pilot of President Ronald Reagan's helicopter crew.  Click on the above video to watch a story of how the retired Lieutenant Colonel is living a life of service. 
 
Joe was also featured in a news story on CBS News 8.  Watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO If you would like to volunteer, visit www.sdsheriff.net/volunteers
 
Senior Volunteers To The Rescue
It's a free program that saves lives. The Sheriff's You Are Not Alone (YANA) program offers daily phone calls and weekly visits to seniors and disabled people who live alone. 
 
On April 20th, Senior Volunteers David Lieras and Ernie Bonanno checked on the welfare of an 86-year-old YANA member in Lakeside.  When they didn't hear back from her, they asked deputies to respond. 

The deputies climbed through an open window and found the woman on the floor in need of medical help.  It was later determined she had been there for three days and doctors said she would not have made it another day.  She was treated for severe dehydration and now lives in a group home. 

For their quick action, we want to salute David Lieras and Ernie Bonanno.     To learn more about the YANA program, watch our video on VIMEO.

Free Vacation Checks

Senior Volunteers & Vacation Checks - San Diego County Sheriff's Department
On this National Safety Month, make sure your home is safe and secure while you're on your summer getaway. 
 
Click on the above video from CW6 News to learn about what the Senior Volunteer Patrol does to make sure your home is safe and secure while you're away. 
 
You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO.
 
Let us know when you're leaving and Senior Volunteer Patrol members will perform security inspections outside your home Monday through Friday.
 
They will check if your doors, windows and garage are locked. They will also hide your newspapers and packages in your side fence or back patio.
 
Before you leave for your summer getaway, simply fill out a form and bring it your nearest Sheriff's Station or Substation.

Wanted Fugitive             

                                                
Every month, the Sheriff's Department works with the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force (FTF) and Crime Stoppers to find and arrest people wanted for committing crimes. 

Be on the lookout for 21-year-old Michael Zepeda Mejia.  He is wanted on numerous charges, including robbery, carrying a concealed dagger, resisting arrest and possession of stolen property.    

Michael Zepeda Mejia is known to frequent Escondido, Oceanside, Vista and Riverside. 
HE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
 
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Michael Zepeda Mejia is urged to call  Crime Stoppers You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.  Call  
 
To learn more about wanted fugitives in San Diego County, visit www.sdsheriff.net/wanted/ .  
Put A Star In Your Future
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is hiring.  
    
Recruitment for sworn positions opens during the first business day of each month.  If you have questions about the hiring process, you can chat with a Sheriff's recruiter on: 
Friday, July 1
10:00 a.m. to noon 
Follow us on Twitter@SDSheriff 
 
Just type your questions on our Twitter page and a recruiter is available to explain the application process to you.
    
  
Click on the above video to hear a deputy explain why she loves working for the Sheriff's Department.  You can also watch the video by following us on VIMEO.  
    
Are you ready to put a star in your future?  Visit www.joinsdsheriff.net
or email recruit@sdsheriff.org.   
Become A Sheriff's Dispatcher
What It Takes To Be A Dispatcher
        
24 hours per day, seven days a week, Sheriff's Dispatchers answer emergency calls from all across San Diego County.  They stay calm under pressure and save lives by getting help out to those calling 9-1-1.
 
Click on the above video from CW6 News to see what it takes to become a Sheriff's Dispatcher.
  
You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO.

The Sheriff's Communications Center is hiring for the following positions:
  • EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCHER TRAINEE (Entry level position)
  • EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCHER (Lateral position)
Applicants will be required to undergo a comprehensive background check.
For more information and to apply for these positions, visit: www.joinsdsheriff.net/dispatcher.   
    
Never Forget
Since the Sheriff's Department was created in 1850, nine deputies have given their lives protecting San Diego County. 

Their memories were honored during a special ceremony outside Sheriff's Headquarters last month. 
 
The month of May has been dedicated to honor law enforcement personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 

Click on the above photo to watch the video tribute or follow us on VIMEO.
 
To learn more about our fallen deputies, visit our In Memoriam page.


 
Stay Safe San Diego
Issue: 64
Sheriff Bill Gore
In This Issue
A Life Of Service
Senior Volunteers To The Rescue
Free Vacation Checks
Wanted Fugitive
Put A Star In Your Future
Become A Sheriff's Dispatcher
Never Forget
  
Join Our Mailing List
Follow us on Twitter
View our videos on YouTube
  
   Reading Day
 
Reading is an important part of a child's life.  It teaches them everything from their A-B-C's to incredible stories filled with fun and wonder.
 
The North Coastal Sheriff's Station invites children of all ages to attend a special "Reading Day" event on:
 
Wednesday, June 15
Reading starts at 10:00 a.m.
Barnes & Noble
1040 N. El Camino Real Drive,
Encinitas
For a flyer, click here.
  
A Sheriff's Deputy will read to children and teach them the importance of reading. There will also be a Q&A with the deputy after story time.
 
Come out and join us for this family-friendly event!
  
Coffee With The Community   
Coffee With The Community
Community outreach is a top priority for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
  
You're invited to join us at the following Coffee with the Community event:

            Wednesday, June 15            
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Lemon Grove Community Center
3146 School Lane,
Lemon Grove
  For a flyer, click here.
          
            Wednesday, June 22            
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Valley Center Library
29200 Cole Grade Road,
Valley Center
  For a flyer, click here.
  
Coffee with the Community gives the public a chance to chat with deputies in a casual setting and exchange ideas and concerns over a free cup of coffee.
  
Come out and make a positive difference in your community.  For tips on how to stay safe, visit:
  
Meet Wishbone the Beagle
  Wishbone
The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) K-9 Team plays a valuable role in locating missing people across San Diego County.
 
When he's not busy assisting Sheriff's Deputies and SAR Volunteers, Wishbone the Beagle loves meeting children.
 
Join Wishbone and SAR K-9 Team Leader Pam Medhurst for a special reading of a short book on this talented dog: 
 
Saturday, June 25
2:00 p.m.
Fletcher Hills Branch Library
576 Garfield Avenue, El Cajon
For a flyer, click here.
  
In "Wishbone The Beagle: The Smell And Tell Game," we learn about Wishbone's special talents and how he became a member of the Sheriff's SAR K-9 Team. 
 
It's a story children of all ages will love.  To read a PDF copy of Wishbone's book, click here.
 
During this event, children will be able to meet Wishbone and get their own free copy of his book.
 
Come out and say hi to Wishbone on June 25th in El Cajon!
  
   Homicide Detective Honored
 
Recently, Crime Stoppers honored Sheriff's Homicide Detail Detective Brian Patterson for his outstanding work in a murder case.

In April 2012, Brittany Killgore was reported missing in Fallbrook.  Days later, her body was found in Riverside County. 

Detective Patterson led the team of deputies, detectives and crime lab personnel that led to the arrest of three people.  He also collaborated with prosecutors to prepare the case in court resulting in guilty verdicts. 
 
Those responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Brittany Killgore were brought to justice because of his incredible work ethic and dedication.
 

   Deputy Recognized For Bravery
   Alvin Vasquez Honored    
Deputy Alvin Vasquez patrols the rural areas of the county. In January of last year, he received a call  of a fight between two men in Borrego Springs.
 
Deputy Vasquez urged a man suspected of stabbing a neighbor to surrender, but the suspect brandished a knife toward the deputy.
 
The suspect ran out to a backdoor tripping over a gasoline can dousing himself and the mobile home with the fluid. At some point the gasoline ignited setting the suspect and home on fire.
 
With little regard for his safety, Deputy Vasquez tried again and again to rescue the suspect until he was able to pull him out of the home. 
 
The suspect died from his burn injuries the next day. Deputy Vasquez put himself on danger to rescue someone who just moments before had threatened him with a knife.   
 
For his bravery, the Burn Institute recognized Deputy Vasquez with the Spirit of Courage Award.

 Alzheimer's Awareness Month
  Kolender Memorial Wall
June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.  Alzheimer's San Diego is honoring the memory of Sheriff Bill Kolender who died of Alzheimer's Disease last year.  Sheriff Bill Gore was present for the unveiling of a tribute wall for the law enforcement legend at Alzheimer's San Diego Headquarters in Kearny Mesa.
 
TMH GPS Tracker

With 60,000 San Diegans living with Alzheimer's, the Sheriff's Department has been called out to search for patients who have wandered away. We are working in partnership with Alzheimer's San Diego to give away 100 GPS tracking devices to eligible families.  Families who have had previous incidents of wandering will get priority. For more information, call (858) 492-4400.
 
Take Me Home

You can also sign up for the Sheriff's Take Me Home Program.  It's a free and confidential service that can help and find a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer's and other physical or mental disability in case they get lost or wander away. For more information, click here.

  Jan Caldwell, Media Relations Director

Melissa Aquino, Media Relations
Sammy Castanon, Media Relations 
San Diego County Sheriff's Department  

"Keeping the peace since 1850"