Orange County’s top law enforcement posts changed hands on Monday, as Todd Spitzer was sworn in as district attorney and Don Barnes ascended to become sheriff.
One of our members has experienced the tragic loss of both his sister-in-law and niece in a multi-vehicle accident on the Garden Grove (22) Freeway. Deputy Anthony Alvarez and his family are mourning the loss of 33-year-old Jolene Castillo and her nine-year-old daughter, Payton Castillo. Jolene’s young son survived the crash and was not hurt but he and his older brother are now left without a mother and sister.
Tonight on NBC’s “Dateline,” correspondent Keith Morrison reports on the 2010 murder of San Juan Capistrano businessman, Chris Smith. Edward Shin, Smith’s then business partner, was convicted of first-degree murder one week ago today. Shin, who sent emails to Smith’s family and friends pretending to be the 33-year-old after he was already dead, was found guilty of special-circumstances murder for financial gain.
We regret to inform you that Deputy Terrence (Terry) M. Lundy (ret.) has passed away. Deputy Lundy joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department nearly 50 years ago in 1969. He worked South Patrol, Special Operations, Transportation and finally Harbor Patrol.
This is a tragic day, one that has become far too common. A gunman opened fire last night at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks. The shooter killed 12 people, including Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Sgt. Helus was a 29-year law enforcement veteran, who was set to retire soon. Helus entered that bar with the intention of saving lives and sadly lost his own life in doing so. He is a true hero and will always be remembered as such.
The general election is less than two weeks away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. When you cast your ballot, please remember to keep law enforcement in mind. Here is a list of the candidates and measures AOCDS is endorsing:
“We stand by our deputies.
The video released to the public by criminal attorney Scott Sanders shows an incident that occurred in the city of Stanton in August. Two deputies were responding to a citizen complaint. The brave actions of the deputies prevented the criminal defendant, who was obviously intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, from driving a 5,000-pound vehicle and potentially crashing into a family on their way to church on a Sunday morning…”
The AOCDS Pipe Band has been incredibly busy performing at all kinds of events. The band is currently looking for new members to help them accommodate all the requests. Do you have what it takes? Watch our recruitment video at https://www.facebook.com/AOCDS/videos/1964894493553769/ for what you need to know… and be sure to share it with all your law enforcement and civilian acquaintances.
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. has signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1749 into law. AB 1749 clarifies that fully sworn peace officers can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if, while in the midst of pursuit, apprehension, protection or preservation of life or property within or out of the state, the officer suffers injury, disability or death. This is a bill AOCDS proudly sponsors and has been fighting for in the legislature since the Las Vegas mass shooting nearly one year ago.
AOCDS member Artin Baron is running for the position of general member on the OCERS board of directors. This election is extremely important, because all positions on the board directly affect all county employees, including AOCDS members. The incumbent has voted with the anti-pension Lincoln Club appointee to raise your pension costs, not once, but twice. The AOCDS board of directors, including OCERS safety member Roger Hilton, strongly endorses Artin Baron.
The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs protects the interests and safety of our members. We are built on a strong foundation of unity, integrity, and leadership.
1600 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Parking and entrance on N. Sycamore Street
Phone: 714-285-2800
Fax: 714-954-1156
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We are closed on weekends and observe all county holidays.
FOP – Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #18
CCLEA – California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations
SCALE – Southern California Alliance of Law Enforcement
OC COPS – Orange County Coalition of Police and Sheriffs
PESO – Public Employee Staff Organization
CPOMF – California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation
SCOPO – State Coalition of Probation Organizations
