Tom Dominguez
The AOCDS Board and Political Action Committee (PAC) met after the live broadcast of the AOCDS Sheriff’s Candidate Forum. Both candidates, Undersheriff Don Barnes and Aliso Viejo Mayor Dave Harrington, were interviewed by a panel of four and invited to share additional comments from a questionnaire they submitted.
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens will not issue another extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing the dual-agency approach to search and rescue missions in remote areas with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).
In the recent Marin and CalFire cases, the appellate court held that there is a vested right only to a “reasonable” pension and that no new comparable benefit must be granted in order for the legislature to reduce benefit calculations. Not only do these rulings undo the “California Rule” that protects our pensions, but they are also vague and leave pensions too easily reduced. Both the Marin and CalFire cases have been appealed and accepted by the California Supreme Court to be ruled on at a later date.
Today, Assemblymember Tom Daly (D-Anaheim), Chairman of the Assembly Insurance Committee, introduced AB 1749, a bill AOCDS is proudly sponsoring. AB 1749 would clarify 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.
As we wrap up 2017 and look forward to 2018, the AOCDS Board of Directors wants to say thank you for all your hard work and dedication. You put your lives on the line every day for the communities you serve and it’s important for us to let you know that you are appreciated. Being away from your families on Christmas is never easy, so we’d like to make it a little easier on you.
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.
The actuary, Paul Angelo, presented three recommended options to the Board and all of which included changing to generational mortality. AOCDS does not agree with the recommendations, based on a lack of credible data on the new generational mortality rate table and because of the sporadic changes in these rates. We believe we should remain with static mortality tables, but with the most updated version, until generational tables are more accurate on life expectancy and give us a better long-term prediction.
A wake for Sergeant Ronald Pfeifer (Ret.) has been scheduled for Monday, October 23rd at the Pfeiffer family home in Needles, California. Ron retired from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 2001 after 25 years of service. He completed his OCSD career as a sergeant in the city of Stanton. Ron passed away unexpectedly on August 31st at the age of 69.