S A N D I E G O C O U N T Y S H E R I F F S D E P A R T M E N T YEAR Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men. ~ Seneca c. 3 B.C. A.D. 65 FIRESTORM 2003
M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T In partnership with our communities, we provide the highest quality public safety services. We are confident in the integrity, the ability and the good character of others. TRUST CORE CORE VALUES We affirm our allegiance to our community, to our Department and to our Core Values. LOYALTY We are people of character and principle. We do what is right, even when no one is looking. INTEGRITY FAIRNESS We are just and impartial in all of our interactions. Our decisions are made without personal favoritism. C O R E V A L U E S We are truthful in our words and in our actions. HONESTY RESPECT We treat each other with dignity, honoring the rights, ideas and opinions of all individuals.
A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E S H E R I F F Sheriff William B. Kolender Little did anyone know when our ASTREA helicopter crew reported a plume of smoke in the Julian area on the evening of October 25th that it was the beginning of what turned out to be the biggest fire emergency in California history. The October Firestorms were the largest single incident and challenge this department has ever had to face, and I could not be more proud of the way the men and women of this department rose to the challenge. I m proud because the heroic and extraordinary actions of so many of our deputies most certainly kept the death toll from being much higher than the 16 who did perish in the fires. I m proud of the deputies who drove or ran through walls of smoke and flame with no regard for their own safety to rescue people from their homes. I m proud of the deputies who risked their lives to evacuate neighborhoods even as the flames engulfed some of the houses. I m proud of our personnel who worked on through the firestorms even as their own homes were damaged or destroyed and their neighborhoods evacuated. I m proud of the deputies from our courts and detentions bureaus who went into action, often without vehicles or proper equipment to work with our patrol deputies in the fire zones. I m proud of the many volunteers who worked right alongside our deputies, including our Reserves, Search and Rescue Volunteers, The R.A.C.E.S. unit and our Senior Volunteer Patrol to help protect lives and property. I m proud of the Communications Center staff who worked around the clock during the emergency, communicating with our units in the field and answered thousands of phone calls from anxious citizens. I m proud of the people who worked the entire week in our Department Operations Center to coordinate every aspect of our emergency operations. I m proud of the professional support staff who were willing to do anything to protect our department s buildings and operations and especially to provide support to our deputies in the field any way they could. I m proud of our Command Staff and how they provided calm, competent leadership at all times during the emergency. I m proud of every man and woman in this department because when we faced the biggest challenge in our history, we met that challenge. It was our finest hour. There were many other proud achievements in 2003 as well as some events which saddened us all, as you will see in this Year in Review. We opened a new Sheriff s substation in Julian; we peacefully concluded a tense hostage situation at the Lakeside Post Office; we cut down more than $1.1 billion worth of illegal marijuana plants in the county; and we conducted a memorial service for Canine Urk who was killed in the line of duty. 2003 was a year none of us will ever forget.
FIRESTORM 2003 We had deputies literally going through walls of flames and smoke to save people from the fires. The Firestorm of 2003 Sheriff Bill Kolender Headlines courtesy of the Union Tribune and the North County Times
If I had a thousand fire engines I couldn t have stopped this fire. CDF Battalion Chief Kelly Zombro... and our flag was still there.
It burned like a blowtorch. Undersheriff Jack Drown
CEDAR FIRE 280,000 acres burned 2,820 structures burned 14 lives lost Cost: $27 Million Stephen Rucker Novato Fire Department 1965 2003 Medal of Honor recipient Deputy Alvin Vasquez with Angela & Mike Cook The Vasquez story: PARADISE FIRE 57,000 acres burned 413 structures burned 2 lives lost Cost: $10.3 Million
F A C T S A B O U T U S The San Diego County Sheriff s Department was founded in 1850, the same year California became a state. We are the fourth largest Sheriff s Department in the United States, and we provide law enforcement services to nine contract cities and the unincorporated areas of the county. We serve more than 800,000 citizens. Sheriff s Communications Center Sheriff s Crime Prevention specialists We have nearly 4,000 employees both sworn and professional support staff. Our nine contract cities
2 0 0 3 C O M M A N D S T A F F Barry Zuniga Assistant Sheriff Law Enforcement Services Dennis Runyen Assistant Sheriff Detention Services Paula Robinson Assistant Sheriff Court Services Lynne Pierce Assistant Sheriff Human Resources John Chuck Gaines Executive Director Management Services William B. Kolender Sheriff Scott McClintock Commander Northern Command Alan Truitt Commander Law Enforcement Support Robert Apostolos Commander Southeastern Command Brian Roberts Commander Detention Operations Area 1 John Falconer Commander Detention Operations Area 2 Lori Bird Commander Detention Operations Area 3 Jack Drown Undersheriff Mary Walsh Senior Executive Assistant Marla Marshall Special Assistant Legislative Affairs Robert Faigin Legal Advisor John Madigan Legal Advisor Sanford Toyen Legal Advisor
L A W E N F O R C E M E N T S E R V I C E S B U R E A U Assistant Sheriff Barry Zuniga Mission Statement: Working in partnership with our communities we provide the highest quality law enforcement services. Statement of Operations: 2003 LESB Highlights: LESB commits hundreds of deputies to the Firestorms. Regional Records Management System request for proposal released. Sheriff s Crime Lab is accredited. The Law Enforcement Services Bureau patrols 4,200 square miles in 9 contract cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego County. LESB includes several special divisions, including Central Investigations, Special Investigations, Community Operations, Emergency Services, Communications, Crime Lab, Community Oriented Policing (COPPS), Law Enforcement Reserves and Licensing. LESB also operates the Sheriff s Aerial Unit, ASTREA (Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies). Facts & Figures Total Service Population:.... 812,558 Unincorporated:.......... 418,616 Nine Contract Cities:....... 391,713 * Crime Rate:.............. 26.2% Violent Crime Rate:........ 3.1% Property Crime Rate:...... 23.1% *FBI Index Crimes per 1,000 pop. LESB in the Firestorm: In 2003 the Communications Division handled 174,268 911 calls with an average answering time of 2 seconds.
C O U R T S E R V I C E S B U R E A U Mission Statement: To provide a safe and secure environment that enables the Judicial System to serve the community effectively. The Jucenas & Tamayo story: Medal of Honor recipients Deputies Jake Jucenas and Juan Tamayo Assistant Sheriff Paula Robinson CSB in the Firestorm: Statement of Operations: The Court Services Bureau provides bailiff services and security for ten San Diego County Superior Courts courthouses, with 171 courtrooms. CSB also includes fugitive and warrant services divisions as well as serving civil processes, subpoenas, eviction notices, and restraining orders.
D E T E N T I O N S E R V I C E S B U R E A U Mission Statement: Working together, we provide professional detention services in services a safe, humane in a safe, environment. humane environment. Assistant Sheriff Dennis Barry Zuniga Runyen DSB in the Firestorm: 2003 DSB Highlights: Number of Overtime Hours/Dollars saved: 176,426 / $4,928,253 Average Daily Inmate Population: 4,850 Number of Inmates Booked: 89,635 Set up Toll-Free Inmate Visitation Hotline: 1-800-WE-VISIT Las Colinas Kitchen Remodel completed Flames forced the evacuation of Descanso Detention Facility Statement of Operations: The Detention Services Bureau operates seven detention facilities, providing a full range of inmate services. Included are medical & mental health services, vocational and educational programs, food servicing, counseling and religious services. Otay Fire flames came very close to the George Bailey/East Mesa complex
H U M A N R E S O U R C E S E R V I C E S B U R E A U Mission Statement: To ensure public confidence in the Sheriff s Department by hiring good people, training them well, and monitoring their performance on an on-going basis. HRSB in the Firestorm: Assistant Sheriff Lynne Pierce The Human Resource Services Bureau, under the leadership of Assistant Sheriff Lynne Pierce, manages the most valuable asset of the Sheriff s Department, OUR EMPLOYEES. As a support function of the Sheriff s Department, the Bureau s sworn and professional staff have the task of supporting and managing our employees from the hiring process to career development, and ultimately through the retirement process. San Diego Regional Firearms Training Facility, Otay Mesa HRSB units: 2003 HRSB Highlights: Provided over 34,000 hours of professional training to Sheriff s Department employees in support of new technical advancements, on-going training mandates, expanded training requirements, new employee training and mandated training. Implemented a department-wide Automated External Defibrillation (AED) program, and placed AED devices in each Sheriff s facility. Expedited the employee hiring process and ensured the selection of qualified candidates through a timely testing and background investigative process.
M A N A G E M E N T S E R V I C E S B U R E A U Mission Statement: Provide quality business-related support and expertise to our customers: law enforcement and the public. Under the direction of Executive Director John Chuck Gaines, the Sheriff s Management Services Bureau impacts every division and employee within the Department. The Bureau includes: Executive Director John Chuck Gaines DATA SERVICES RECORDS AND IDENTIFICATION FISCAL SERVICES FACILITIES AND SPECIAL PROJECTS WIRELESS SERVICES The Sheriff s Records and Identification section MSB Highlights: MSB in the Firestorm: View of the fire from the Sheriff s Administration Center at Ridgehaven.
S P E C I A L S E R V I C E S & V O L U N T E E R U N I T S SAN DIEGO SAR S H E RIFF Search and Rescue turns 40! Search and Rescue Highlights: ASTREA Highlights: Law Enforcement Reserve Highlights: Off-Road Enforcement Highlights: Senior Volunteers Highlights: Special Enforcement Highlights: Special Enforcement Detail was given Sheriff s Unit Citation for its performance during the Firestorm.
B O A R D O F S U P E R V I S O R S Greg Cox District 1, Board Chairman Dianne Jacob District 2 Pam Slater-Price District 3 Ron Roberts District 4 Bill Horn District 5
D E P U T Y S H E R I F F S A S S O C I A T I O N President Lt. Jim Duffy Mission Statement: The promotion of professionalism in law enforcement by providing service to the community, working with the Department and County to represent deputy sheriffs of all ranks in negotiating and protection of their rights. Ron Cottingham, DSA s immediate past president, was elected president of PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California) in November of 2003. Jim Duffy was elected as the new DSA president. President Fred Grand H O N O R A R Y D E P U T Y S H E R I F F S A S S O C I A T I O N Mission Statement: Initiate, sponsor, promote and carry out plans, policies and activities and development of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department specifically, and law enforcement generally, for the benefit of the public in lessening the burdens of government; to erect and maintain buildings for law enforcement education and training; to combat community deterioration by strengthening law enforcement and promoting the social welfare of the community. The Honorary Deputy Sheriffs Association is a prestigious organization of business and community leaders dedicated to supporting law enforcement countywide. Since its inception in 1974, HDSA has donated more than $3.5 million to the Sheriff s Department and other agencies.
The Department faced the biggest challenge in its 154 year history. 2 0 0 3 H I G H L I G H T S Canine Urk was killed in the line of duty on January 18, 2003 October 25-31 st Deputy Dan Settle and Urk Sheriff s Deputies working with the Narcotic Task Force confiscated 280,000 marijuana plants in 2003. Canine Urk Memorial Service January 31, 2003 Crime Stoppers Light the Night 2003 Suspect Alberto de Santiago surrendered after the SWAT team delivered a 6-pack of Dr. Pepper. His hostages were released unharmed. More than 700 Sheriff's Department personnel and family members participated. SWAT Team at Lakeside Post Office May 28, 2003
2 0 0 3 H I G H L I G H T S, C O N T I N U E D The Sheriff s Crime Lab earned accreditation in 2003 Under the direction of Greg Thompson (r), the Sheriff s Crime Lab gained accreditation from the American Society of Crime Lab Directors, and began a complete modernization and remodeling of its facilities. The Law Enforcement Expo 2003 Julian Substation Ribbon-Cutting & Open House May 2, 2003 The Sean O Kane story: SAR and ASTREA played a vital role in recovering the helicopter and body of Sean O Kane, which crashed off the coast of Encinitas in August. The Sheriff s Museum and Educational Center in Old Town celebrated its second anniversary in November 2003 and hosted more than 1,200 4th graders from San Diego city schools under a special program. The Sheriff s Museum & Educational Center
S H E R I F F S 2 0 0 3 A W A R D S Medal of Honor recipient Deputy Anthony Radicia and Medal of Valor recipient Deputy Cliff Cutrell, with the Sheriff. The Radicia and Cutrell story: 2003 AWARDS PRESENTATIONS Among the numerous awards presented during 2003, many Deputies, professional support staff, volunteers and civilians were honored for their extraordinary actions during the Firestorm, which was the largest emergency in San Diego County history. There were more than 1,100 recipients including: Three Medals of Honor, the Department s highest award, were given for heroism during the Firestorm; thirty-seven Medals of Valor were given to sheriff s deputies for their courageous acts performing rescues and evacuations; Medal of Honor recipients Deputies Jake Jucenas and Juan Tamayo (for full story, see page 10) one Distinguished Service Medal; ten Sheriff s Unit Citations; sixteen Meritorious Unit Citations; thirteen Certificates of Commendation; six Letters of Commendation and three fire-related civilian awards. Also in 2003 a Medal of Honor and a Medal of Valor were awarded to two deputies involved in a shootout at Harrah s Rincon Casino in April, and Medals of Valor were awarded to the deputies involved in the shootout with the suspect who shot and killed Canine Urk in January, and a Medal of Valor was awarded to a detective involved in a shootout at an Encinitas gas station in March. Sheriff with Medal of Honor recipient Deputy Alvin Vasquez (for full Vasquez story, see page 6) The Encinitas, Fallbrook, Poway, Ramona, Rural, San Marcos, Santee and Vista Senior Volunteer Patrols received Meritorious Unit Citations for their outstanding service during the Firestorms. Search and Rescue Volunteers received a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors for their actions during the Firestorm
2 0 0 3 O P E R A T I O N A L F A C T S & S T A T S 34.0% San Diego County Sheriff s Department Budget 33.5% Adopted FY 2003 2004 0.1% 1.6% 0.6% 0.4% 0.5% 9.2% 7.6% 3.2% 9.3% CALLS FOR FBI INDEX ANNUAL CRIME RATE SERVICE PART I CRIME PER 1,000 POPULATION % change from 2002 % change from 2002 Detention Services......... $150,556,632 Law Enforcement Services... $148,295,465 Court Services.............. $41,073,896 Human Resource Services.... $14,039,925 Management Services........ $33,544,300 Sheriff s ISF/IT............. $40,824,165 Office of the Sheriff.......... $2,314,975 Asset Forfeiture Program...... $1,600,000 Sheriff Jail Stores ISF......... $2,875,700 Sheriff s Inmate Welfare Fund.. $6,956,800 Countywide 800 MHz CSA s...... $843,340 Grand Total............ $442,930,198 DEL MAR 3,481 3.5% 3.1% ENCINITAS 30,794-4.4% -6.6% IMPERIAL BEACH 17,233-19.5% 18.7% LEMON GROVE 17,448-0.8% -1.3% POWAY 19,810-3.6% -4.3% SAN MARCOS 30,185 14.3% 9.0% SANTEE 26,991 5.4% 5.1% SOLANA BEACH 5,494-20.7% -21.3% VISTA 45,494-6.3% -7.3% UNINCORPORATED AREAS 166,551 2.8% 2.0% TOTAL 363,481 1.6% 0.4%
Our thanks to all of the members of our department who contributed the unforgettable firestorm photos for this year s Year In Review. Produced by the SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT Public Affairs Division Chris Saunders, Editor Susan Plese Susan Knauss Adriana Uribe Sara Curry, Intern Design & layout by Steve Jonas COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS CARTOGRAPHIC SERVICES Photo credits include County of San Diego offices of the Board of Supervisors Tom Keck Photography The Union Tribune The North County Times Dan Megna, SDSO Ernie Cowan Rick Barton, USFS Dennis Lymons DPW Carto Services Santa Clara Fire Department Encinitas Fire Department