Memorial

We are saddened to tell you that one of our own and his family are going through a very difficult time right now. Sixteen-year-old Timothy Schwitters, son of OCSD Sergeant Shawn Schwitters and his wife Michelle, was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin Lymphoma last December.

We are extremely proud to let you know that the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs has its very own pipe band and is currently recruiting new members. Are you an experienced bagpiper looking to be part of a team and take on a fun, exciting and rewarding new hobby? The AOCDS Pipe Band would love to speak with you!

Today, we are grieving the tragic loss of Captain David Rosa, a 17-year veteran with the Long Beach Fire Department. He and other firefighters responding to an early morning report of an explosion and smell of gas at a Long Beach senior housing facility were fired upon soon after they arrived on scene.

Matt Gabrino ran the full 160 miles across the state, starting at the Fallen Heroes Monument in Oakland County and working his way west, ending Thursday at the Protectors Monument in front of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office in West Olive.

We have been working tirelessly for many months to bring you a new website that is among the best in the law enforcement field. We are very excited to announce that it is completed and has been officially launched.

Several Orange County sheriff’s deputies were honored Friday with awards for their courage in 2017, including some who helped victims and were wounded during the deadly Las Vegas shooting in October.

The Medal of Valor ceremony was held at the Hotel Irvine where 27 deputies were honored, 14 of whom got the Medal for Lifesaving and six who received the Medal of Merit.

The deadly deputy shooting on Sunday in Douglas County, Colorado hits closer to home than we first realized. Deputy Zackari Parrish, the deputy killed, was actually the area partner of former Orange County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Steve Maracine.

It is with deep and profound sadness that I inform you that recently retired Sergeant Steve Torres, 54, a beloved member of AOCDS and OCSD, passed away unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. Steve and his wife, Jeanette, are close personal friends of mine and my family. Steve retired a little over a year ago after nearly 31 years of service with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The 5.11 Tactical/AOCDS Discount Week and Fundraising Event is in full swing and continues through this Friday, November 10th. 5.11 Tactical features clothing, gear and accessories for law enforcement, public safety and military personnel. Its wide selection of merchandise for men and women has expanded to include fitness, footwear, backpacks and more.

You are invited to A Celebration of Life service in remembrance of Deputy Ronald Howard Dunlap. Deputy Dunlap passed away peacefully earlier this month after a five-month battle with an extremely vicious form of bile duct cancer. Please join his wife, Ellen, and adult daughter, Erin, as the family celebrates Ron’s 65 years of joy, honor and strength.