LASD Reentry

More on the LASD Deputy Who Vanished….. Heroin Use and the Rise in Numbers of Foster Kids…The Need for Civil Attorneys…& Prop 47



THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY WHO DISAPPEARED, & THE MEN WHO WOULDN’T GIVE UP ON HIS CASE

The LA Magazine story by Claire Martin about the disappearance of Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputy Jonathan Aujay is now online.

The tale as Martin tells it is long, very deeply researched, fascinating, and disturbing. It is also a must read for those with any interest in the workings of the LA County Sheriff’s Department.

Martin doesn’t solve the mystery of what happened to Jon Aujay after he took off for an all-day desert run in the Devil’s Punchbowl area of Antelope Valley on June 11, 1998, and never returned. Instead, she takes us through the investigations by the former department members who do not believe that Aujay killed himself as the LASD officially concluded. Nor do they believe he took off for Alaska, or rejoined the military as some other friends suggested. Instead, they believe he was murdered, and Martin delves into the reasons for their conviction.

One of those who became convinced Aujay met with foul play is Larry Brandenburg, a homicide detective who began investigating the case in early 2000. But when he wanted to search a fellow deputy’s house, his superior reportedly became furious and shut the investigation down, threatening to fire Brandenberg. When Brandenburg then appealed to the chief of the detective division and a commander in the homicide bureau, another detective was sent to collect all of his files.

Next there is former Deputy Darren Hager who was part of an interagency task force called “Operation Silent Thunder,” which was investigating the invasion of meth manufacturers and distributors in the Antelope Valley. In the course of delving into the drug action, Hager found what he believed were important leads into the Aujay case, and began digging. He came to believe a deputy named Richard Engels was involved and wanted to probe further. Instead, Hager was pulled off the case and ultimate terminated having to do with his investigating of Engels. Hager sued for wrongful termination and was award $8.5 million by a jury.

(It was when Martin attended Hager’s case trial that she first became fascinated with the story of Aujay’s disappearance. The trial, she wrote, “shed new light on the department’s handling of Aujay’s case as well as its approach to policing itself.)

Another haunted by Aujay’s disappearance was his former partner when the deputy was on SWAT, David Rathbun, now a reserve deputy with LASD search and rescue teams. Rathbun looked for Aujay for months with other friends after the official search ended.

Still one more man who couldn’t settle for the official story was Aujay’s last boss, retired captain Mike Bauer who now lives in Idaho. Bauer has devoted much of the past decade to hunting down new leads in the Aujay mystery, and believes he likely knows who killed the former sharp shooter turned K-9 handler.

Anyway, there’s much, much more to this well told Rashomon of a story.

To get you going, here’s a clip from one of the sections on Bauer’s ongoing investigation:

Last year Bauer wrote to John L. Scott, the interim sheriff, raising concerns about the department. When the captain of Internal Affairs called him, Bauer aired his theory; the captain vouched for the integrity of Bauer’s main suspect, he says, accusing Bauer of jumping to conclusions and then only seeking facts to support them. Bauer is still outraged. He could understand some skepticism, but he expected the sheriff’s department would take him seriously, given his background. This wasn’t the first time he felt rebuffed by the department over Aujay. Three years ago he spent half a day going over his evidence with deputies. “I expected a phone call from the captain of homicide a week later saying, ‘You know, we looked at your stuff and you might have something. Thanks for bringing this up. I’ll keep you posted on what we find out,’ ” he tells me. He heard nothing, but it wasn’t a total surprise. Bauer says he retired early, at 53, because of the corruption that flourished under Sheriff Baca, who wound up resigning in 2014 amid a barrage of federal indictments of staff who helped hide an informant from the FBI. That’s what led to Bauer’s second attempt, which wasn’t any more satisfying. Scott wrote him back that Aujay’s case “is disturbing to us all” and expressed confidence that the investigation had been thorough, noting that homicide detective Bob Kenney “continues to actively follow up on leads.”

Bauer was perplexed: If the department was sticking with the suicide theory, why was there an open homicide case? And if it was vigorously investigating, why hadn’t he heard about it from any of the dozens of people he has stayed in contact with in the course of his work? Debra, for one, says she has not been contacted by members of the sheriff’s department since 2001, when she was interviewed by Joe Holmes. Now that many of the players involved in the original investigations are retired and a new sheriff, Jim McDonnell, is in charge, Bauer and several others who knew Aujay have raised the question of whether the department would or should reevaluate the case. Aujay is still classified as a missing person with a possible suicide, according to homicide detective Larry Brandenburg. When I called Kenney in September to inquire about the status of the Aujay investigation, he replied, “I have no comment about that case at all.” Sheriff McDonnell also declined to be interviewed for this article.

The man serving as second in command to McDonnell is Neal Tyler, a 40-year department veteran and the former commander of the Antelope Valley region. Tyler was briefed on the Internal Affairs inquiry of Darren Hager, whose task force confidential informants had fingered Engels for murder, and he personally fired him….

Now read the rest for yourself.


HEROIN, PRESCRIPTION PAIN KILLERS…AND KIDS STREAMING INTO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

A report issued this past summer by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed that, after years of decline, the number of kids coming into and staying in foster care is on the rise. And one of the reasons for the increased numbers, according to some child welfare officials, is that an uptick in the use of heroin and abuse of prescription opiates, has rendered an increasing number of parents unable to care for their children.

According to a report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation released in May, thirty-four states saw an increase in the number of children in foster care, and California, Oklahoma, Indiana and Arizona were the states that saw the largest rise.

A new NPR story by Jake Harper takes a look at the phenomenon through the lens of foster care in Indiana.

Here’s a clip:

Between September of 2013 and September of 2015, Indiana saw the number of “children in need of services” jump by 40 percent. In more than half of new cases in which children had to be removed from their homes, substance abuse was listed as a reason. As in other states (such as nearby Ohio), officials in Indiana blame heroin and prescription painkillers.

The increase is taxing the child welfare system, officials say. Children of addicts often need special care and counseling, and they often stay in the system longer because it can take months or years for their parents to get clean.

“We have more children than we’ve ever had in our system in Indiana,” says Mary Beth Bonaventura, director of the state’s Department of Child Services. “That puts a stress on the staff, a stress and strain on providers.” And it’s increasingly a challenge, she says, “to find and recruit and train qualified foster families.”

If the Houglands hadn’t provided a home for their foster son, he might have ended up at an emergency shelter like the Children’s Bureau, a nonprofit in Indianapolis. The organization takes in kids from the Department of Child Services when a foster family can’t be found quickly.

“Kids come in here 24/7,” says Tina Cloer, who directs the Children’s Bureau. “So we accept kids all day and all night, and we get calls all day and all night.”

The shelter has been full more often this year, she says, as it has become harder to find kids foster homes. Last year, the average stay was just two days — now, it’s 10. “We have kids that have been here as long as 2 [or] 2 1/2 months,” Cloer says.


THE HIDDEN—AND IMPORTANT—NEED FOR CIVIL LEGAL AID

We know that Americans who are charged with a crime but who cannot afford to pay a lawyer have the right to legal representation paid for by the government. That right is enshrined in US law by the landmark Supreme Court ruling of Gideon v. Wainwright of 1963 that guaranteed everyone charged with a criminal act the right to counsel.

With civil procedures, there is no such guarantee. However, there is an increasing awareness of the need for some kind of system of civil legal aide. The need is particularly demonstrated among people being released from prison who, along with the many daunting challenges to reentry, often find there are lingering legal issues as well, most of them not criminal in nature.

For example, many returning men face debts in the tens of thousands of dollars in back child support that has been accumulating while they were in prison and had no ability to pay. Once out, even if they are able to get a job quickly, those positions are rarely high paying. Thus keeping up with current child support, while paying extra back payments is often completely defeating, and can lead to a return to prison. However, a civil attorney can help negotiate a payment system that both is practical for the recently incarcerated father, and fair to mother and children as well.

Civil attorneys can also assist in getting driver’s licenses restored, which can be crucial to getting and keeping a job, or helping to clear a former inmate’s criminal record, thus improving the likelihood of finding employment….and so on.

Writing for TalkPoverty.org Rebecca Vallas and Billy Corriher have more on the need for civil legal aide and what’s in the works to fill that need.

Here’s a clip:

Earlier this year, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed an appropriations bill that—while far from sufficient to meet demand—would boost legal services funding for FY 2016 by $10 million. Meanwhile, House appropriators have called for slashing legal services funding by $75 million—a staggering 20 percent below the current funding levels. While Congress has passed a stopgap measure to keep the government funded until mid-December, as it continues to debate the budget it should ensure that any proposal includes adequate funding for civil legal aid. Additionally, Congress should take swift action to reauthorize and boost funding for the bipartisan Second Chance Act. This legislation allows the Department of Justice to award federal grants to government agencies and nonprofit organizations—including civil legal aid programs—that provide services to support re-entry.

If the criminal justice reform legislation introduced this fall is enacted, many currently incarcerated individuals will have an opportunity to petition for reduced sentences or early release. Civil legal aid lawyers will be important partners in helping these individuals transition back into our communities and get back on their feet. Neglecting the back end of mass incarceration—including by failing to adequately invest in civil legal aid—is a recipe for ensuring that most people will end up behind bars again, and that many of the gains we see from criminal justice reform will be short-lived.


ANOTHER PROP 47 QUESTION: DO PROSECUTORS REALLY NEED THE “FELONY HAMMER” TO DEAL WITH DRUG OFFENDERS

Here’s the next in the LA Times series discussing Prop. 47. In this essay, editorial board member Rob Greene looks at the “felony hammer” prosecutors say they need to get drug offenders into treatment, that Prop. 47 has taken away. Here’s a clip:

In police and prosecutorial parlance, the hammer is the weapon of choice that gets drug defendants to go to treatment. The hammer is the felony charge, or in some cases, the “wobbler” that prosecutors could choose to charge as either a felony or a misdemeanor. With the hammer of a felony charge in hand, the prosecutor used to be able to tell the defendant that he was looking at three to five years in state prison on a drug possession charge. The defense lawyer might advise his client that his actual exposure was more like 18 months, but still — that’s real time in prison. Plus a felony rap sheet, which forever after would affect the defendant’s ability to get a job, get a professional license, go to school, get housing, adopt a child, become a foster parent, and interfere with numerous other aspects of daily life.

So the drug defendant could allow himself to get hit with that hammer.

Or, to avoid being hit, he could choose drug treatment. In some counties, even that meant pleading guilty to a felony, with the plea held by the judge but tossed out when the treatment program was completed, or reinstated when the defendant failed. Other counties had “pre-plea” programs, which allowed defendants to complete the program without first entering a guilty plea.

Yet defense attorneys and justice reformers say there’s also another way of dealing with the problem that doesn’t have to involve the felony hammer blow.

Read the rest here.

34 Comments

  • Good read that generates provocative thinking. Who was the the Homicide and Internal Affairs captains who were referenced in the article? I don’t know anymore about this case than what I’ve just read. But this I know, Major Executives of LASD would have done ANYTHING to protect Baca from this type of scandal. Now I’m not remotely indicating any brass was involved in Aujay’s demise, not at all. But what I am saying, if things looked like corruption and worse, would splash on Baca and result in bad press and yet another LASD scandal, oh I have NO doubt a cover up and stonewall was ordered. Assign this case to the “right people,” and you will get the results you are looking for. Tanaka has packed Homicide with “his people,” as well as IAB, ICIB, MCB, Narco, etc and those folks took their orders and followed those orders, I reference Pandora’s Box as Exhibit A.

    The only folks who I trust to do a clean investigation are (with a gulp) the Feds. I don’t completely trust McDonnell because Tanaka still call the shots, pulls the strings and MickeyD has done very little to reform LASD, just look at his inner circle, recent promotions and EPC. Good read, I’m not assuming anything regarding Aujay, I deal with facts, not a 10 theory hypothesis and make it true. We may never know, but there are certainly more questions than answers.

  • My humble suggestion is we stop dismissing these articles and people’s comments as hear say.

    Nothing ever mentioned or written about on this site ever impacted the department…. I guess a LA Magazine article will get limited circulation and no one will recognize the same cast of characters doing the same things.

    LASD and its current Executives: you will be the example of what not to do for years to come and that includes JIM McD. Please disregard my comments as baseless or unfounded. You will continue to make for great material.

  • Kudos to Homicide Detective Brandenburg for his due diligence and earnest efforts to consolidate clues for answers. Sad that the “higher up” Brass wanted to shut him down. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out…..cover up, exposure and embarrassment to LASD. Once again to Brandenburg. Thanks for being a “true” Detective.

  • Dennis Burns was the IAB captain at that time, 1998.

    I don’t have any use for Darren Hagar, because I don’t think he’s such a great guy, but as far as Neal Tyler (presumably) divulging that Hagar was terminated as a result of a administrative investigation, isn’t that revelation a violation of California Government Code 3304 (commonly known as Peace Officer Bill of Rights)?

  • Cover ups are the norm for LASD.
    Narco covered up an investigation for a money package and promoted that individual to captain. (TRAP captain)
    A Sergeant (Mr Pay 2 Play) covered up an investigation at Century where 2 detectives (partners of Ron Hernandez, he was not involved) were extorting cars from the local towyards. He is now promoted to captain at the ranch.
    Twin Tower captain covered up use of force incidents. That captain later retired when caught in sex scandal. He was promoted way above his abilities but was promoted due to an executives inability to practice gun safety.
    Cover ups go on and on.

  • Such a strange story. I am confused about so many things. How does one commit suicide without leaving a trace? Perhaps there was a confrontation. Unlikely he was abducted without putting up a fight. No blood anywhere, either way? What happened to the gun that one of the deputies saw in the truck? Was it ever checked to see if it had been fired? What about the female who said she knows where the body is? did anyone take her out to show them where? Even if she seemed unreliable you have to try. How did Bauer arrive at the theory the body may have been moved to Idaho. That was clear as mud. Sounds like their was some egos involved and a pissing match between investigators and supervisors as well and disagreement about how to proceed. But who would have benefitted from a cover up? How deep did this whole thing go? It is shocking that Mrs. Aujay became homeless! Don’t we have people to step in and take care of surviving family members of deputies in these situations? What happened to the “LASD family” that would let this woman live out of her car? Too bizarre.

  • @ Intheknow – Strange that you mentioned two former partners (detectives) of Hernandez were implicated at Century. Two more (detective) friends of Ron were caught on ALADS cameras damaging a POV in the parking lot. Monterey Park took report and forwarded an enhanced copy of video to ICIB. You can imagine the rest of the story….those two were previously in trouble in other shit files. Fair hair and connections help.

  • I don’t care for Baca and Tanaka but I can not see, even on their worst day, they would ever cover up the murder do a deputy sheriff.

    Corruption, cheating on exams, pay for play, unreported gifts, sexual harassment, and violence in the jails, yes to all that but the murder of a deputy sheriff…

  • Another rep, that’s pretty chicken shit of you to take a cheap shot at Ron. What is your theory, that Ron’s friends were involved in misconduct, so he must be as well? You’re going to have to do better than guilt by proximity. Is this you Dick Shinee?

  • Jack,
    I’ll dismiss with extreme prejudice the comment that “Sad to Say” made on the earlier thread on this topic. Here’s why.
    1. He/she provided NO references for the comment. Just saying “I heard”, “Rumor was” etc. I can present 10 truckloads of things that I’ve heard about LASD members/capers that turned out to be bullshit.
    2. Think about it. Do you realize how many people would have to be involved in the cover-up IF the rumor that “Sad to Say” presented on a previous thread on this topic about a 2nd DNA sample being recovered from the crime scene (coming back to Aujay) was squashed? Now he’s implicated crime lab personell in addition to homicide crews and execs. If you can present a plausible scenario as to how ALL these people conspired and kept that a big secret, all these years, thru two sheriff’s administrations, I’ll be more than happy to not only hear it, but to consider it. Yes, Baca and Tanaka have covered up a LOT of bullshit….. BUT…..OOPS…..Block and his boys were in charge when that DNA sample would’ve come back. Jesus H. Christ, in trying to drag Baca and Tanaka thru the mud some people who’ve previously commented on this topic have completely lost their fucking minds.

    Until somebody has a little bit more than “I heard” or “rumor was” or “it was said that” I’ve got no problem dismissing it as nothing more than a provocative rumor and bullshit.
    Also, until there’s something concrete that implicates Aujay as a possible 187 suspect, it’s as low as a person can sink to float that shit out there for the sake of keeping the rumor mill going. If it isn’t true, then wherever Aujay is, he and his loved ones deserve better!!!!!!!!!

  • @ “Intheknow” and “Another Rep”: You guys are truly pathetic. Do you feel so threatened by me running for the board that you’re going to try and dirty me up, by mentioning my name with investigations of which I’m not involved, because I’m friends with these guys.

    Since Celeste failed to warn you, I’m going to tell you, you’re are on the edge of slander. The only motive for your posts is to try and make me look bad.

    And, since you clearly have no investigative skills, your posts can be tracked back to an IP address.

    I think what is most embarrassing is that you guys most likely have a badge and gun! Scary!

  • Handicapper, there was a time I would whole heartedly agree with you. I do know there were people who filtered a majority of bad news from Baca, and at “their” direction, he was clueless, So the bigger question, just how hard and thoroughly was this case investigated? Was every single stone turned over? And I mean every stone. The article alludes to the fact it was not. So, if one for the sake of conversation, acknowledges that the direction was not given to pull out all the stops, the greater question is why not? So how did we get to all the points raised in this article? Termination, Civil Service hearings, incomplete interviews and follow up, search warrants not executed, Incompetence? I think not. The story reports and alleges without naming names, a great deal of management and executive interference to say the least. Why? The truth must be told, whatever it is. No one deserves to have these ghost allegations hanging over their head because all of the questions have not been answered or because of an incomplete investigation. They deserve to be cleared or proven by fact, otherwise. So Handicapper, there are more questions than answers. What say Sheriff McDonnell? He needs to hear ALL of the questions that were not asked/answered in the investigation, all the questions raised in this article and in the Civil Service hearing etc, and then direct they be fully answered. Aujay deserves nothing less.

  • Oh Well,

    My bad for making you work down there at HOJ. My comment was directed at “Humble Suggestion” who took the time to tell us all WLA and the people it writes about has zero affect on LASD.

    Two things: So Sad was an idiot and I didn’t defend his slander plus Celeste probably blocked the IP. #2) speak softly and carry a big stick in the headlines.

    You are an OG on the forum; you are better than that! Read, breathe, and have a sense of humor.

    Finally, spare me the lectures on Aujay’s family. Did you write a check or send support via the people still working this case? I doubt it, but I know someone who did….

  • Ron,
    Godspeed on your attempt to clean up ALADS. Saying ALADS is “dysfunctional” is like saying Baca was a “different” kind of sheriff. It’s the understatement of the decade.
    Good luck.

  • EDITOR’S NOTE:

    Dear InTheKnow

    I’ve been extremely busy this week so haven’t monitored the comments as closely as usual. Clearly that was a mistake.

    Ron Hernandez is absolutely right. You’re accusing people of crimes in writing on a public website. That’s exactly the kind of thing that can yet you slapped with a libel lawsuit. Which means you have just endangered WitnessLA along with yourself.

    Sad to Say did the same thing.

    In the Know, you compounded the problem, and you know better.

    I count on everyone here to be adults. If any of you persist with this nonsense, even in a borderline sense, I’m simply going to delete and block you. Since I have neither the time nor inclination to read every comment with the eye of an attorney, that means there will be a lot of comments trashed that likely don’t deserve it,

    If you don’t know the difference between criticism and slander, look it up. (By the way, the fact that you believe something to be true, does not remove it from libelous territory. If I don’t know it’s true, and you can’t prove it, it’s gone and so are your next several comments—-until I feel assured that I don’t have to be the playground supervisor/mom.

    Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

    C.

  • How did an article about John Aujay,whom many on the Department would have trouble being worthy enough to press his Class A, morph into an open forum to spew about the neighborhood “carnival act” known as ALADS and those that want to control it?

  • Wow……this is getting interesting. @ More Questions Than Answers: Your response for the most part is spot on.

  • Jack,
    Touché. Nice retort. I misinterpreted/misconstrued your comments. I not only have no problem with you setting me straight, I thank you for it. Like everybody else, I’m not right every time. I check my ego at the door.

  • Thank you Celeste for bringing light to the Aujay story, and for the many other storys that shed light on the corruption of the LASD. Unfortunately, the majority of the executive staff of the LASD was promoted under a culture of corruption. Its going to take many years to turn this ship around if it will ever be reformed.

  • Ron, it was my intent to omit you from the dirty deeds of your partners and bring to light the corruption from those promoted captains. You have my vote. My apologies for the mix-up.

  • @ Stuff
    Great call. I pray that Aujay’s whereabouts are answered and those who are responsible for it are held to answer. I am baffled that LASD has hampered it’s own personnel who have the inclination and wherewithal to delve further into Aujay’s disappearance.

    I concur with you as to bringing up ALADS on this thread (or any thread for that matter including those involved) is futile and a waste of time. ALADS is the “Lamest Show on Earth”

  • Hi all, been real busy fighting crime and haven’t had a chance to post. Who is this Aujay guy, never heard of him. Sounds like he was a character. May he RIP. As for me, just got off my shift and thought I’d stop by to say hey to all you grouchy, moldy, lazy Vets who cry on this blog regularly. Gotta rest up for the next battle, and guess what, oh yah, I’ll be on the line with my sleeves rolled up, ink showing, and chewing my favorite tobacco product.

  • TT Bad Boy,
    My suggestion is that when you get to SEB next week you ask one of the old, crusty, moldy vets at ESD who Aujay is. You’ll be at the bureau next week, right? With all the Bob Bitchin’ and Billy Badass shit you do on a daily basis I know they are in complete awe of you and your police work. No? Have you interviewed yet? Never mind. Stupid question on my part. Of course you haven’t interviewed. They would have snatched your bitchin’ self up In a minute. You wouldn’t have to deal with that gas man or long rifleman bullshit, you’ll be able to interview in the morning and be a team scout by that afternoon. Just show them your posts on this website and you’re in like Flynn. It’s completely obvious to everybody who’s ever read a single one of your posts that you’re truly one of God’s gifts to police work.
    The perplexing thing is, between you and Ithaca Boomer, how could the crime rate possibly be rising?

  • Oh, a bite. How ya doing there old fella (Oh well). If I apply, you’ll never know it. If I get a spot, you’ll never know it. So what are you trying to accomplish. Don’t be jealous that your youth is gone as well as your usefulness. We all get old Gramps. Just sit, knit, and enjoy your retirement (or the Courthouse if your still around).

  • Oh Well……..Coveted Testing buddy, TT Bad Boy couldn’t get snatched up by SEB like the good old days. Sadly, some east end loser, that is a “good test taker” will go, even though he doesn’t deserve to hold an SEB ram.

  • Whoaaa, “Sweetness” err umm I mean “Dulce” came out of her hole! She would be the first one pleading for help from an “East End Loser” if she was in need of assistance or help. Lets be straight up young lady, do you really believe you have the salt to hold a SEB Ram?? A few great men from the East End have held it??

  • Haaaaa, the “sweet” one has been smoked out. Let’s get things straight you octogenarians, I never claimed to be an “east sider” but respect all Deps that are out there working hard. As far as SEB, gotta love coveted testing. Now, myself, and others can test without having to be anyone’s “bro” to get a fair shake. Finally, a fair system. If someone gets to SEB and doesn’t fit in, they leave. Easy peasey. Don’t worry Sweet boy, I have a decent spot via coveted testing. I’m fine right where I’m at. Any other ole vets wanna comment?

  • TT Bad Boy,
    Don’t fall too in love with the Coveted Testing system. Next thing you know some octogenarian that’s too old to do the Lord’s work will be taking your coveted detective spot solving those white collar computer crimes.

  • For those of you that don’t know John Aujay let me enlighten you. He would be in his late fifties right now. In the early eighties he worked IRC. He did his patrol time at ELA, then went to SEB, where he was a very hard worker but a loner to the max. He loved going off on his own. He was a Team member of mine and was outstanding at SEB but was wrapped very tight. We all used to bet who could make him laugh, we all failed. He was an army ranger and a fitness junkie. He transferred to K-9 because he loved the company of a dog more than a regular partner. He was into running ultra 100 mile runs, and would run in the desert a lot on his own. John was very quiet about his life so no one really knows what happened. Detective Joe Holmes from Homicide had several ideas and we did several search warrants over the years acting on every tip. To say the department had some cover up is ridiculous. We at SEB, especially his Teamates would have never sit still for that crap. I heard the rumors from lying on a beach in Costa Rica to Bikers finding him and killing him all the way to a mountain lion eating him. Who knows, but someday it will come to life. He had a daughter that he adored and I don’t think he would have left his wife and kids to survive on their own. Where ever he is, God Bless Him, he served his country more than most and was one of the hardest working people I know. We miss him at SEB

  • TT, I think you misinterpreted my post. I meant in the “good ol days” a hard working Deputy like yourself would have been hand picked for a unit like SEB. Today, an east end desk jockey that scores high enough on a test is in. Not everyone that doesn’t fit in will be kicked out either, lawsuit city nowadays. Coveted testing is slowly but surely ruining many elite LASD units. Sad.

  • Dulce,
    Yes it is sad, VERY sad what coveted testing is going to do to homicide and SEB. And guess who we have to blame for that? That’s right. The guy that flagrantly, openly and arrogantly made it clear that if you weren’t a political pawn for him, you would never end up at those units, no matter your qualifications/experience.
    The repercussions of the pay to play scandal will result in the LASD’s homicide and SEB being no more elite than Cincinatti PD’s or Houston PD’s. The days of LASD’s elite reputation are over. That’s just the way it is. Right now we need to forget about trying to be considered elite by our LE brethren and just concentrate on not being considered a joke.
    Thanks Leroy. From first to worst while you were at the helm. That’s your legacy.

  • Been retired for a long time. can someone explain to me what this coveted testing is as I have never heard that term..

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