Day in and day out our deputy sheriffs, investigators, sergeants and district attorney investigators go to work with the sole purpose of protecting the public. That commitment largely goes unnoticed; faded into the background of assumed safety. That’s how it should be, because you are there doing your job.

The manhunt for three fugitives who escaped from the Central Men’s Jail was one of those rare occasions when the enormity of professionalism and dedication of so many law enforcement officers are on such public display.

The public depended on you and you delivered. Sleepless nights, the stress of the unknown, and days after days of not seeing your families wore on you, but you refused to let up, relentlessly pursuing these three fugitives until they were back behind bars where they belong. Justice was done and not a single innocent person was harmed.

Your diligence and solid police work, in the jail and on the streets, made that possible. And the majority of that police work was done far out of view of news cameras. From top to bottom, the men and women of this association and our law enforcement partners pounded the pavement and got the job done.

As the investigation continues, we are reminded that evil will always be overpowered by good, good which is embodied by the men and women of law enforcement who come together every day to protect all of us and ensure justice is served.

The spotlight of scrutiny will now be pointed at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. It is never easy to be scrutinized or second-guessed. As law enforcement officers, that scrutiny comes when you pin that badge over our hearts and do the work we are sworn to do.

Despite the outside speculation and assumption, we know that you will continue to do your job day in and day out keeping the residents of Orange County safe.
The AOCDS Board of Directors would like to thank you.

With Respect,

Tom Dominguez, President – Roger Hilton, 1st Vice President
Juan Viramontes, 2nd Vice President – Ray Wert, Treasurer
Ed Yee, Secretary