Family, friends and law enforcement personnel gathered Aug. 20, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bishop, then later at the East Line Street Cemetery, to bid farewell to Bishop Police Officer Richard “Rich” E. Perkins.

Perkins, 51, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, when a semi-truck struck his patrol car as he made a U-turn to assist in a pursuit. He was responding to the call of a possible DUI driver when the accident occurred on Highway 395. Truck driver, Jose L. Marquez, a 42-year-old El Paso, Texas, resident, was not injured during the crash. Perkins died of his injuries at Northern Inyo Hospital, police said.

State Attorney Gen. Bill Lockyer and California Highway Patrol Commissioner Dwight Helmick were in attendance at the services, as was the director of the California Office of Criminal Justice Planning, Frank Grimes.

During the eulogy Perkins was remembered as a man of faith and family. “Everything he did was for God’s glory,” said one speaker. “He realized there was more to life than work and hobbies.”

Lockyer called Perkins a “hero who served the people of this community well. We can never repay the debt we owe him, but we can vow never to forget him.”

“‘Perk’ was a good officer,” said an emotional Bishop Chief Bruce Dishion. “Even after 11 years on the job, he had not allowed the work to take its toll as so often happens in the law enforcement field. Richard always maintained his sense of moral duty, his commitment to serve the people of Bishop and his sense of humor.

“He was always able to enforce the letter of the law while balancing that with a compassion for the people he came into contact with. That ability is a gift. I will deeply miss him.”

Bishop Mayor Frank Crom, described Perkins as a “wonderful man, a compassionate person and an outstanding police officer. He was the kind of police officer that communities like Bishop need and desire. He always listened and did all he could to help those in need. I know that when he went home after a day’s work, he had the satisfaction of knowing that he’d done a good job.”

Crom also praised Perkins’ work with the Bishop Mural Society. A board member and participating artist, Perkins contributed in some capacity to nearly all the historical murals established in the community.

Crom continued, “He was a wonderful artist and a real asset to this community.”

Perkins was credited with the idea, concept and completion of the “Dangerous Arrest” mural on the east side of the police station. Barbara Williams, president of the Bishop Mural Society, stated that a memorial plaque honoring Perkins would be placed at the site of “Dangerous Arrest” in the upcoming weeks.

Inyo County Sheriff Dan Lucas said, “Our law agencies are so small that even though Richard worked for the Bishop Police Department, our department feels this loss as if he was one of our own. I’m sure the CHP feels the same way.”

Bishop Police Officers Phil West and Steve Day also recalled Perkins’ dedication to family, friends, church and community. He was one of the founders of the Bishop Police Mounted Unit, along with West and Day.

“He was a person so steadfast in his values to his family, to his friends and to his co-workers,” West said. “He was a true blend of God, of values, of work ethic and love.”

Day called Perkins a “courageous guardian of the innocent and the right.” He also recalled that when one asked Perkins how he was doing, he would often reply, “I’m looking forward to the challenges the day may bring.”

The funeral service ended with Perkins’ children placing some of their father’s personal effects in with his remains. One such item was his pipe, familiar to all who knew him. Before coming to the Bishop Police Department, Perkins had worked for the Mono County Sheriff’s Department and the Mammoth Lakes Police Department. He also had been a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.

He was the first officer in the department’s history to die in the line of duty, according to Bishop Police officials.

Perkins’ survivors include his wife, Cheryl; son, Andrew; daughter, Pauli; daughter and son-in-law, Kati and Ken Gray; grandchildren, Katelyn and Hannah Gray; parents, Eugene and Barbara Perkins; sister and brother-in-law, B.J. and Bob Hayner; niece, Heidi Hayner; brother and sister-in-law, Patrick and Lisa Perkins; and nephews, Jason and Alex Perkins.

Donations in Richard Perkins’ memory may be made in his name at Union Bank of California, 362 North Main Street, Bishop, CA 93514. The funds donated to this memorial fund will be given to the Bishop Mural Society at the request of the Perkins’ family.

CHP Officer Stephen M. Linen Jr.’s funeral at New Venture Christian Fellowship on Aug. 16, bore many resemblances to the somber gathering of 1,500 last fall for Officer Sean Nava who was killed in a similar accident. Up to 2,000 peace officers, firefighters and others from throughout California were in attendance, as were state officials.

Linen, a 31-year-old San Jose native who had served on the California Highway Patrol force more than six years, was struck and killed Sunday, Aug. 12, on Interstate 5 near San Diego when a drunken-driving suspect slammed into his patrol car as he was issuing a ticket. He was thrown onto the embankment and suffered massive injuries.

Arrested at the scene in the San Diego suburb of Encinitas was Lance Cpl. Jerome A. Bates, a 20-year-old Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton.

Bates ran off the shoulder and struck the patrol car, which burst into flames, said CHP Officer Larry Landeros. A group of correctional officers that passed the accident site tried to administer medical aid. “Linen was airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead,” Landeros stated.

“Bates, who was not injured, was taken into custody. His passenger, Christopher Sterling, a 20-year-old Marine who is also stationed at Camp Pendleton, was airlifted to Scripps Memorial and was in fair condition with a broken arm and internal injuries,” Landeros reported. Two people in the pickup truck that were stopped by Linen received minor injuries and were treated and released from the hospital.

Bates, of Victoria, Texas who was arrested at the scene, was charged with two felony counts of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. CHP Officer Steve Ussher said that Bates has at least one prior arrest related to suspected drunken driving.

At the funeral services conducted by Pastor Sean Mitchell, CHP Commissioner D.O. “Spike” Helmick fought back tears. “This type of tragedy is going to stop,” Helmick said.

“We are going to do everything known to man to make these tragedies stop, and we’ll do that in honor of Michael,” he added, referring to the name Linen’s friends sometimes called him.

State Attorney Gen. Bill Lockyer added, “Steve embodied a sense of duty and a belief (that) service to others matters.”

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante delivered a message from Gov. Gray Davis. “Officer Stephen Linen was a true hero, not because of how he died, but how he lived,” Bustamante read. Then offering his own thoughts Bustamante said, “A man has sacrificed his tomorrows so we may have peace today. Although I never knew Officer Linen, he chose to protect my family and our community. He gave us his ultimate sacrifice and for that we should be humbled.”

CHP Chaplain Hansen gave the eulogy in which he told mourners that Linen was never one to waste time. Directly after his graduation from Mount Carmel High School, he immediately applied to San Diego State College and began his study in the field of criminology.

Even with the heavy workload of college life, he found time to chase another goal, earning a private pilot’s license. Linen often took flights to Catalina and Laughlin, Nevada, his favorite destinations.

Linen graduated from San Diego State in the spring of 1993, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. His dream of a career in law enforcement was fulfilled when he was accepted into the California Highway Patrol on July 25, three days after his 24th birthday.

In 1998, Linen was nominated for the Burn Institute’s, “Spirit of Courage Award,” for acts of bravery and heroism performed during a rescue of a man trapped in a burning vehicle on I-5 in San Diego.

Colleagues and neighbors described Linen as a quiet man who loved to bowl and recently became engaged to Kristi Robinson, a schoolteacher.

Joe Bennett, Linen’s neighbor who recently spoke to him about the perils of police work, said the officer was not intimidated by the risks of his job. “Danger is just coming out of your home,” Bennett said Linen told him. “You’ve got to look at it that it’s your job and you’re trying to make the community better.”

CHP Officer Abie Carabajal said Linen usually stayed quiet and kept a stern look on his face, an expression that masked “a great heart.” Carabajal said he used to try to make Linen laugh, usually by offering up the greeting, “Hey, Sunshine, how’s it going?”

Santa Ana CHP Officer Danny Young, a Temecula neighbor, said Linen had been planning a vacation in Hawaii in September. Young continued, “I can tell you he did enjoy the job. He worked graveyard a lot and one of the primary purposes of working graveyard is to do what you can to keep DUIs off the road.”

Linen is survived by his mother, Mary Monahan, of Temecula; father, Stephen, of Seattle, Washington; brother, Chris; and fiancée, Kristi Robinson.

Butte County Sheriff Scott MacKenzie stated, “These are the darkest days in the history of Butte County,” as he spoke at funeral services for Lt. Leonard B. “Larry” Estes and Deputy William R. “Bill” Hunter on Aug. 2.

Lieutenant Estes and Deputy Hunter were ambushed and fatally wounded Thursday, July 26, as they entered a cabin in the Inskip area of Paradise ridge and were met with a barrage of gunfire. Hunter died instantly. Estes returned fire and fatally wounded the suspect, Richard Bracklow, before succumbing to his wounds.

Hunter took the original report of an assault and theft of weapons at the Magalia substation and asked for cover. Estes, en route to an internal affairs interview, was nearby and told dispatch he would back up Hunter. He reportedly pulled to the side and put on his bulletproof vest.

Hunter interviewed Bob Duffey, 89, regarding a heated argument he had with Bracklow, 46, over rent money owed to Duffey. When Estes arrived the officers proceeded to Bracklow’s residence. They entered the dimly-lit cabin but barely made it past the threshold. Bracklow shot Hunter, who was in the lead, three times in the head. Hunter was unable to get off a shot.

Estes emptied six rounds from his personal .45-caliber handgun, striking Bracklow three times in the chest area and grazing the suspect’s shoulder with a fourth shot. A seventh round jammed in his weapon. Estes was struck four times in the arm, chest and head as Bracklow emptied his 9mm, Glock semi-automatic handgun.

Estes and Hunter had radioed dispatchers shortly after 6 p.m. that they would “attempt to make contact with the subject.” It was their last transmission.

Investigators stated that they believed that Hunter, Estes and Bracklow were only two to three feet apart and that Estes and Bracklow were practically toe-to-toe, gun-barrel-to-gun-barrel during the final, fatal exchange.

California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and Attorney General Bill Lockyer spoke briefly at funeral services held for Estes and Hunter at the Neighborhood Church in Chico Aug. 2.

Bustamante lauded the bravery and dedication of the fallen officers. “They gave us the ultimate, eternal sacrifice,” he said. “They chose to protect our community, our families, our state.”

Lockyer next spoke on “Behalf of the 34 million Californians who join you at this time to honor Bill and Larry. They were special people that thought public service and duty matter.”

Sheriff McKenzie read a letter from Gov. Gray Davis expressing regret for the “devastating loss to you and the department.”

Nearly 4,000 uniformed law enforcement officers and fire officials from as far north as Portland and Gresham, Ore., and as far south as San Diego and San Bernardino counties, gathered to honor the Butte County sheriff’s deputies, packing the church and leading the caskets during a seven-mile processional.

Hundreds of people stood along the route to get a glimpse of the long public safety motorcade and to express their gratitude and sorrow. Many waved small American flags.

Lt. Leonard B. “Larry” Estes

Former Butte County Sheriff Mick Gray spoke in length about Lieutenant Estes in his eulogy stating, “He was a living legend, known for a great sense of humor and his very funny practical jokes.”

Estes, 61, who joined the Butte County Sheriff’s Department as a regular deputy sheriff in 1973, worked patrol in the Paradise area for more than 10 years before spending the next four years at the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force. He returned to ridge patrol for two years.

Estes was promoted to sergeant in 1991 and transferred to investigations in 1994. A year later he was promoted to lieutenant and named chief deputy coroner of the county.

Gray told the audience that Estes was promoted to assistant sheriff, the highest non-elected position in the department, in 1998.

He said that “If the measure of the wealth of a man is the number of friends he has, Larry was a wealthy man.”

Concluding, Gray turned to the officers he once led and said: “My hope is you will preserve his legacy.” Turning to the Estes family, he said, “My hope is your pain will be relieved by the grace of God.”

Gray, a close friend of Estes, concluded by saying, “Larry loved life. He was a man who was the stuff of legends.”

Deputy William R. “Bill” Hunter

Sheriff Scott MacKenzie eulogized Deputy Hunter, stopping numerous times to compose himself.

MacKenzie told the mourners that Hunter had shown great promise in his three years with the department. He said that his last evaluation found him intelligent, calm and likeable, that he was slightly ahead of deputies with similar experience and that he had a bright future in law enforcement.

Hunter, 26, and his wife, Holly, were to have celebrated their first wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks.

Holly Hunter described her husband, “He was the most generous, kind, giving man and he treated everyone with respect. He believed in what he was doing, his job. He believed in the honor and the code (of law enforcement).”

“Hunter grew up in Plumas County and was very fond of his dogs,” MacKenzie said. He was “elated” to learn that he had been chosen for the department’s newest K-9 team and was set to begin training with a German shepherd named Ilo. Ilo attended the funeral service. The Sheriff’s Office has allowed Hunter’s wife to keep the dog as her pet.

MacKenzie concluded his eulogy by saying, “I feel very fortunate to have known Bill Hunter.”

Members of the Butte County Honor Guard removed the caskets and escorted them inside. Pallbearers for Estes were Sgt. Tony Burdine, retired deputy Roger Levy, retired reserve officer Al Imoff, firefighter Jim Collins and Russ Holdridge. Pallbearers for Hunter were Sgt. Butch Ellis, and Deputies Jay Waananen, Bryan Marshall, Scott Krelle, Travis Winebarger and Jim Norman.

Estes was the driving force behind the creation of the honor guard about eight years ago and was its only commander.

Hundreds of officers filed past Estes’ and Hunter’s caskets as the funeral came to an end, some touching them or saluting the deputies. More than 100 police dogs also filed by.

Outside, the two deputies received the tribute of a 21-gun salute as the Honor Guard put the coffins into hearses. Taps were played.

A squadron of five helicopters, two from BCSO, and one each from CDF, California Highway Patrol and Enloe Medical Center, flew over the church. One of the BCSO helicopters veered out of formation in honor of officers lost in battle.

Bob Duffey’s daughter, Marie, stated, “The tragic deaths of sheriff’s Lt. Larry Estes and Deputy William Hunter highlight the danger faced by law enforcement daily. But the sacrifice of these officers has personal meaning for my family and me.

“It was a call from my father that brought the deputies to Inskip that afternoon. It was in his defense that the two went into the red cabin to deal with the man who assaulted him. No one could have anticipated that, in that quiet and peaceful mountain setting, something so awful would happen.

“There is no way we can repay the debt to Larry Estes and William Hunter. What we can do is pay tribute to these two heroes, and offer our respect to their fellow officers still in the field doing their job everyday. These men and women never know when or where they will face a life-threatening situation which may require the ultimate sacrifice.”

In the history of Butte County Sheriff’s Department, Hunter and Estes were the second and third deputies to die in the line of duty. Deputy Randy Jennings was killed May 21, 1997, while chasing a domestic-violence suspect in Thermalito.

Estes is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and children, Brian, Jennifer and Darren. In addition to his wife, Holly, Hunter is survived by his parents, Tom and Barbara Hunter; and brothers, Richard and Kevin. Both brothers are employed in law enforcement in Butte and Plumas counties.

Both families held private services Thursday and Friday. Memorial donations in the name of Lt. Larry Estes can be made to Butte Community Bank in Magalia, 14115 Lakeridge Circle, Magalia, CA 95954. Donations to the Estes fund will be donated to Butte County Search and Rescue.

Memorial donations in the name of Bill Hunter may be made by check payable to the Deputy Hunter Memorial Fund and mailed to the Newton Bracewell Funeral Home, 680 Camellia Way, Chico, CA 95926. Donations to the Hunter fund will be used to provide scholarships to men and women embarking on a career in law enforcement at Butte College.

Butte County Sheriff Scott MacKenzie stated, “These are the darkest days in the history of Butte County,” as he spoke at funeral services for Lt. Leonard B. “Larry” Estes and Deputy William R. “Bill” Hunter on Aug. 2.

Lieutenant Estes and Deputy Hunter were ambushed and fatally wounded Thursday, July 26, as they entered a cabin in the Inskip area of Paradise ridge and were met with a barrage of gunfire. Hunter died instantly. Estes returned fire and fatally wounded the suspect, Richard Bracklow, before succumbing to his wounds.

Hunter took the original report of an assault and theft of weapons at the Magalia substation and asked for cover. Estes, en route to an internal affairs interview, was nearby and told dispatch he would back up Hunter. He reportedly pulled to the side and put on his bulletproof vest.

Hunter interviewed Bob Duffey, 89, regarding a heated argument he had with Bracklow, 46, over rent money owed to Duffey. When Estes arrived the officers proceeded to Bracklow’s residence. They entered the dimly-lit cabin but barely made it past the threshold. Bracklow shot Hunter, who was in the lead, three times in the head. Hunter was unable to get off a shot.

Estes emptied six rounds from his personal .45-caliber handgun, striking Bracklow three times in the chest area and grazing the suspect’s shoulder with a fourth shot. A seventh round jammed in his weapon. Estes was struck four times in the arm, chest and head as Bracklow emptied his 9mm, Glock semi-automatic handgun.

Estes and Hunter had radioed dispatchers shortly after 6 p.m. that they would “attempt to make contact with the subject.” It was their last transmission.

Investigators stated that they believed that Hunter, Estes and Bracklow were only two to three feet apart and that Estes and Bracklow were practically toe-to-toe, gun-barrel-to-gun-barrel during the final, fatal exchange.

California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and Attorney General Bill Lockyer spoke briefly at funeral services held for Estes and Hunter at the Neighborhood Church in Chico Aug. 2.

Bustamante lauded the bravery and dedication of the fallen officers. “They gave us the ultimate, eternal sacrifice,” he said. “They chose to protect our community, our families, our state.”

Lockyer next spoke on “Behalf of the 34 million Californians who join you at this time to honor Bill and Larry. They were special people that thought public service and duty matter.”

Sheriff McKenzie read a letter from Gov. Gray Davis expressing regret for the “devastating loss to you and the department.”

Nearly 4,000 uniformed law enforcement officers and fire officials from as far north as Portland and Gresham, Ore., and as far south as San Diego and San Bernardino counties, gathered to honor the Butte County sheriff’s deputies, packing the church and leading the caskets during a seven-mile processional.

Hundreds of people stood along the route to get a glimpse of the long public safety motorcade and to express their gratitude and sorrow. Many waved small American flags.

Lt. Leonard B. “Larry” Estes

Former Butte County Sheriff Mick Gray spoke in length about Lieutenant Estes in his eulogy stating, “He was a living legend, known for a great sense of humor and his very funny practical jokes.”

Estes, 61, who joined the Butte County Sheriff’s Department as a regular deputy sheriff in 1973, worked patrol in the Paradise area for more than 10 years before spending the next four years at the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force. He returned to ridge patrol for two years.

Estes was promoted to sergeant in 1991 and transferred to investigations in 1994. A year later he was promoted to lieutenant and named chief deputy coroner of the county.

Gray told the audience that Estes was promoted to assistant sheriff, the highest non-elected position in the department, in 1998.

He said that “If the measure of the wealth of a man is the number of friends he has, Larry was a wealthy man.”

Concluding, Gray turned to the officers he once led and said: “My hope is you will preserve his legacy.” Turning to the Estes family, he said, “My hope is your pain will be relieved by the grace of God.”

Gray, a close friend of Estes, concluded by saying, “Larry loved life. He was a man who was the stuff of legends.”

Deputy William R. “Bill” Hunter

Sheriff Scott MacKenzie eulogized Deputy Hunter, stopping numerous times to compose himself.

MacKenzie told the mourners that Hunter had shown great promise in his three years with the department. He said that his last evaluation found him intelligent, calm and likeable, that he was slightly ahead of deputies with similar experience and that he had a bright future in law enforcement.

Hunter, 26, and his wife, Holly, were to have celebrated their first wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks.

Holly Hunter described her husband, “He was the most generous, kind, giving man and he treated everyone with respect. He believed in what he was doing, his job. He believed in the honor and the code (of law enforcement).”

“Hunter grew up in Plumas County and was very fond of his dogs,” MacKenzie said. He was “elated” to learn that he had been chosen for the department’s newest K-9 team and was set to begin training with a German shepherd named Ilo. Ilo attended the funeral service. The Sheriff’s Office has allowed Hunter’s wife to keep the dog as her pet.

MacKenzie concluded his eulogy by saying, “I feel very fortunate to have known Bill Hunter.”

Members of the Butte County Honor Guard removed the caskets and escorted them inside. Pallbearers for Estes were Sgt. Tony Burdine, retired deputy Roger Levy, retired reserve officer Al Imoff, firefighter Jim Collins and Russ Holdridge. Pallbearers for Hunter were Sgt. Butch Ellis, and Deputies Jay Waananen, Bryan Marshall, Scott Krelle, Travis Winebarger and Jim Norman.

Estes was the driving force behind the creation of the honor guard about eight years ago and was its only commander.

Hundreds of officers filed past Estes’ and Hunter’s caskets as the funeral came to an end, some touching them or saluting the deputies. More than 100 police dogs also filed by.

Outside, the two deputies received the tribute of a 21-gun salute as the Honor Guard put the coffins into hearses. Taps were played.

A squadron of five helicopters, two from BCSO, and one each from CDF, California Highway Patrol and Enloe Medical Center, flew over the church. One of the BCSO helicopters veered out of formation in honor of officers lost in battle.

Bob Duffey’s daughter, Marie, stated, “The tragic deaths of sheriff’s Lt. Larry Estes and Deputy William Hunter highlight the danger faced by law enforcement daily. But the sacrifice of these officers has personal meaning for my family and me.

“It was a call from my father that brought the deputies to Inskip that afternoon. It was in his defense that the two went into the red cabin to deal with the man who assaulted him. No one could have anticipated that, in that quiet and peaceful mountain setting, something so awful would happen.

“There is no way we can repay the debt to Larry Estes and William Hunter. What we can do is pay tribute to these two heroes, and offer our respect to their fellow officers still in the field doing their job everyday. These men and women never know when or where they will face a life-threatening situation which may require the ultimate sacrifice.”

In the history of Butte County Sheriff’s Department, Hunter and Estes were the second and third deputies to die in the line of duty. Deputy Randy Jennings was killed May 21, 1997, while chasing a domestic-violence suspect in Thermalito.

Estes is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and children, Brian, Jennifer and Darren. In addition to his wife, Holly, Hunter is survived by his parents, Tom and Barbara Hunter; and brothers, Richard and Kevin. Both brothers are employed in law enforcement in Butte and Plumas counties.

Both families held private services Thursday and Friday. Memorial donations in the name of Lt. Larry Estes can be made to Butte Community Bank in Magalia, 14115 Lakeridge Circle, Magalia, CA 95954. Donations to the Estes fund will be donated to Butte County Search and Rescue.

Memorial donations in the name of Bill Hunter may be made by check payable to the Deputy Hunter Memorial Fund and mailed to the Newton Bracewell Funeral Home, 680 Camellia Way, Chico, CA 95926. Donations to the Hunter fund will be used to provide scholarships to men and women embarking on a career in law enforcement at Butte College.

California Highway Patrol Sgt. Gary R. Wagers died early Thursday, March 15, when his patrol car crashed at State Route 113 and Interstate 5 in Woodland.

CHP Officer Kelly Baraga said investigators reported that Wagers was in a high-speed pursuit when his patrol car went off the embankment. Tests indicated the car’s overhead emergency lights were on before the crash, although the siren had not been turned on.

CHP officials learned of the crash at 6:05 a.m. when a commuter called 911 on his cell phone after discovering the wrecked patrol car in a wooded area where the two roadways merge. The commuter, who uses SR 113 daily, noticed a set of skid marks going across the road. He got out of his car to investigate and spotted the wrecked patrol car down an embankment about 25 feet from the roadway.

Investigators estimate the car flew about 30 yards through the air before crashing. The roof of the patrol car was crumpled on the driver’s side. Wagers, who was wearing his seatbelt, appeared to have died instantly of head injuries upon impact.

Wagers arrived at work Wednesday at 7 p.m. and was expected to work until shift change at 3:45 a.m., officials reported. The night was a routine one and dispatchers last heard from him around midnight.

He did not check out when his shift ended, but no one noticed or thought anything was out of the ordinary, Capt. Montey Hensley said. When and why the accident occurred remains unknown, Hensley added.

Wagers, a 22-year veteran of the department, had only been working in the Woodland area for the past four months, but he had already made a lasting impression with his coworkers, said Sgt. Brent Country.

“He was 54-years-old but he still had the same strength and energy as he did the first day he came out of the academy,” Country said. “Gary was someone you could confide in and someone you could trust.”

Hensley stated that Wagers transferred to Woodland from Santa Ana in November after his wife, Linda, who works for the Department of Motor Vehicles, received a promotion.

He added that Wagers, in a short time, established a reputation among the 30 officers at the Woodland station as “someone who was approachable with any problem. He was very positive and upbeat.”

A memorial service for Wagers was held at the Capital Christian Center in Sacramento prior to his burial in Southern California. Gov. Gray Davis and platoons of law enforcement officers attended the service to honor an officer who had died in the line of duty. Davis told the 1,800 mourners that made Wagers a hero.

Davis stated that the service represented more than just his death. “We have come to mourn the loss of Sergeant Wagers and celebrate his life and offer the prayers and gratitude of 34 million Californians,” he said. “With honor and valor Sergeant Wagers fought the daily battle against criminals, against those who do violence against us and our families.”

“With honor and valor he gave his life to that ballad. He represents the thin blue line between law and lawlessness. I have great respect for anyone who puts himself in harms way for another human being,” Gov. Davis said. “Gary Wagers did that most of his life. There is no way we can every pay Gary back for his gift, but we can try.”

Rev. Karl Hansen, the chaplain of the Highway Patrol and a friend of Wagers, told the audience that he enjoyed remembering the little things about him that everyone will miss.

“What was Gary Wagers really like? He was a modest 5-foot, 10 inches with his boots on. He loved pizza. He had a thing for deviled food cookies. He had the gift of gab and he had a bad memory for birthdays. You didn’t ask Gary a question unless you really wanted an answer,” the Rev. Hansen said. “As to his work, his second love, he was an excellent officer.”

Hensley told the mourners, “In Woodland we took him to our hearts. I would like to leave you with a thought that I overheard at the scene that tragic morning. A Woodland officer had just climbed the hill to Gary’s patrol car when I heard one of them say ‘God must have needed a good field sergeant. That’s why he took Gary so quickly.'”

Besides his wife, Linda, Wagers is survived by his mother, Joyce; daughter, Shelly; son and daughter-in-law, Garhett and Christine; step-daughter and son-in-law, Carrie and Kevin Fellhoelter; sisters, Joy and Merry; and brother, Mark.

Donations may be made to the Sacramento SPCA at 6201 Florin-Perkins Road, Sacramento, CA 95828.

Deputy Brandan G. Hinkle, 33, was in the final weeks of training when his motorcycle crashed head-on into a Lexus sedan as he rode on Brea Canyon Cutoff near Diamond Bar in Los Angeles County. He was southbound behind a training officer when he collided with the northbound vehicle at a bend in the road. Sheriff’s Capt. Ray Leyva said that Hinkle was thrown from his motorcycle, perhaps as far as 100 feet.

He was taken to Brea Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 35 minutes after the crash, which occurred during the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Hinkle recently purchased a used Kawasaki 1000 to drive to and from work to get as much motorcycle practice as possible, his wife, Michelle, stated. He was training to be a motorcycle deputy at the Walnut/Diamond Bar station.

Capt. Leyva said, “It’s a highly sought-after spot. It’s a great job. You like riding motorcycles and they’re paying you to do it.”

The driver of the Lexus and her 2-year-old daughter were treated and released from an area hospital.

No one was cited, and it was unknown how fast either driver was going, or whether the deputy or motorist strayed into the other’s lane, Leyva reported. However, Hinkle was not driving at emergency speeds.

Hinkle’s wife said, “He was a big kid at heart . . . He loved working with his fellow deputies. He was a caring man with a big heart, who doted on his pet pug, Pugsley.”

Born in Fullerton, but raised in Missouri, Hinkle had washed out of motorcycle training last year but re-enrolled when an opening became available. He had completed all but the last phase.

Motorcycle officers formed a procession outside the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa Thursday, Feb. 22, to mourn the loss of a colleague. Hundreds of deputies, police officers and family members attended the memorial service for Hinkle.

Sheriff Lee Baca, Capt. Edward B. Hitchcock, and Deputy Luis Goni were among those who eulogized the officer.

Burial followed, under the direction of Capt. Ken Masse, at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach.

Hinkle’s family had urged him not to become a motorcycle officer, but he was determined to put behind him an unsuccessful attempt to join the elite unit of motorcycle deputies, and this time he seemed destined for success. He was flying through training and was only weeks from finishing when the head-on collision took his life.

Hinkle, who was an 11-year veteran of the Los Angeles Co. Sheriff’s Department, had been assigned to the Lomita station since 1995. He was the first sheriff’s employee to die in the line of duty in the past four years.

Hinkle’s wife told the mourners, “The meaning of Valentine’s Day has greatly changed for all of us who knew Brandan. This was the day we lost a friend, brother, son, and a husband. The hearts of many have been broken and we have shed endless tears of sorrow. We may never hear his laugh or see his smile again, but we will have these precious memories tucked away in a special place just for him in our hearts. Knowing Brandan’s wishes – he would want us to take this tragedy as a gift and cherish each day we have with each other. Only from the support of each other will we all start the healing process.

“Brandan’s farewell wishes to all of us would be two things: ‘To live long and prosper, and especially to give an extra hug and kiss to your pets each day.’ ”

Along with his wife of six years, Hinkle is survived by his mother who resides in Kansas, and father in Missouri.

A fund has been established in honor of Deputy Hinkle. Donations may be made to the family through, “Sheriff’s Relief Foundation #205,” c/o The Sheriff’s Relief Association, 11515 S. Colima Road, Whittier, CA 90604.

A Riverside police detective was shot to death Saturday by an assailant who ambushed him as he responded to a loud music complaint at a downtown Victorian-style home.

Detective Charles Douglas “Doug” Jacobs III, who was promoted nine months ago, died at Riverside Community Hospital shortly after the 2:28 p.m. shooting at 3140 Lemon St. Jacobs, 30, joined the department on Dec. 29, 1995. He was married and the father of a 6-month-old daughter and 10-year-old stepson.

Within minutes, police arrested Jacobs’ suspected killer, Steve Woodruff, 37, who lives in the home where the attack occurred.

Late Saturday, Woodruff was being questioned by detectives and was scheduled to be booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of murder, police said.

A neighbor said Jacobs’ death may have resulted from an ongoing dispute between two residents about the volume at which one plays her radio.

The woman apparently playing the radio, Polly Carr, is the mother of the suspect, police said.

Other neighbors said they made repeated calls to police to complain about drug use at the home and several others on the street.

Riverside Police Chief Russ Leach called the shooting a “horrible tragedy.”

“Ever since I got the call this afternoon, everyone who has talked to me about this officer has emphasized what a wonderful human being he was, a dedicated police officer,” Leach said. “This horrible tragedy underscores the dangerous job officers do every day. He goes on a radio call on a Saturday afternoon, basically an innocuous call about loud music, and ends up losing his life.”

Dozens of police cordoned off Lemon Street and spent hours poring over the house and yard, photographing the scene and questioning residents. One officer carried a small girl out of the house.

Late Saturday, officers began a house-to-house sweep of Lemon and surrounding streets, looking for possible witnesses to the fatal attack.

Riverside Police spokesman Lt. Ed McBride said some details of the shooting were still unclear. But this much is known:

Jacobs went to help Officer Ben Baker investigate the music disturbance, after Baker called for backup. The officers were at a two-story home converted into separate apartments on the first and second floors.

Police said Jacobs was standing on an outside stairwell when he was shot by a man who emerged from the first-floor apartment and fired, striking the officer in the head. McBride said it was unknown if the officer and his assailant exchanged words before the shooting took place.

Witnesses reported hearing four to six shots — two rounds followed a volley of four loud shots fired about five seconds later.

Immediately afterward, Baker put out an “11-99” call on his radio that Jacobs was down and needed assistance. Baker was not injured.

Police said it was unclear late Saturday whether the officers managed to return fire. It was also unclear what kind of weapon was used to shoot Jacobs. Police said Woodruff threw a rifle outside before he was taken into custody, but said Jacobs could have been shot with a handgun.

Sheena Stone and Edrina Washington watched from across the street as Jacobs was carried away by paramedics who arrived within two minutes after officer-needs-assistance call was radioed.

“You could tell he was hit bad,” said Stone, 28. “They were pumping his chest but he wasn’t responding. His arms were limp. You couldn’t see his hair because it was covered with blood.”

Stone and Washington said officers with guns drawn then ordered everyone off the street as they closed off the area.

A police helicopter circled the perimeter. Officers from Moreno Valley, Riverside Community College, the University of California, Riverside and the sheriff’s department also helped.

McBride said the suspected killer surrendered moments after the shooting, emerging from the house naked. He was arrested without incident.

Officers from the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics team cleared the Lemon Street address, using “flash-bang” grenades to smoke out other possible suspects. They found no one.

Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge had been working in his seventh-floor office at City Hall when Councilman Chuck Beaty walked in and told him an officer had been shot. Moments earlier, the two had been discussing the dangers of police work.

Loveridge headed to the shooting scene, then to the hospital to talk with some of the officers standing by. One officer’s eyes were rimmed red from tears.

Obviously shaken, Loveridge called the shooting an “absolutely horrific tragedy.”

“I am angered, dismayed and distraught,” Loveridge said.

Later, the mayor added: “It’s a real tragedy for the city, for the officers, for the department. He gave his life for the city. We owe him a debt of gratitude that obviously we can never repay.”

Loveridge said the shooting highlights the need for an interdepartmental city task force to pressure owners to clean up their troubled properties. A proposal to do just that is being considered by the City Council’s land use committee, Loveridge said. The shooting, he added, will probably accelerate city action on the proposal.

According to Loveridge, the apartment where the officer was shot had been the subject of a number of neighbors’ calls to police.

Nicholas Prelesnik said the shooting underscored neighbors’ fears.

“If they’re willing to shoot an officer, what would stop them from shooting one of us if we got in their way?” he asked.

A neighbor who did not want her name used said the woman who lives at the residence where Jacobs was shot was locked in an ongoing dispute about the volume at which she plays oldies music on her radio.

Police were called when the dispute flared up again Saturday afternoon, the woman said.

“This all happened over a damn radio,” said the woman.

Jacobs is the first Riverside Police officer to die in the line of duty since Claire Connelly was killed July 11, 1998. She was struck by a drunken driver while investigating a traffic accident.

City manager John Holmes said he was in the mountains with his wife when Police Chief Leach notified him of the shooting.

“It’s a real tragedy,” Holmes said. “It’s a real blow to the department. It takes a little while to recover.”

A check of Riverside County court records indicates Woodruff has had several minor scrapes with the law. In 1994, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and has warrants for several traffic violations.

On March 31, Jacobs was one of eight police officers promoted to detective to take on supervisory roles during overnight and evening shifts. He was a lifelong resident of Riverside and a graduate of Arlington High School and Riverside Community College. He was studying for a master’s degree at Chapman University in Orange.

In November 1998, he was honored by the City Council as Public Safety Officer of the Month for his role in training other officers and his work to shut down a stolen “chop shop,” obtaining a drug conviction, and for maintaining a positive attitude while assisting citizens.

Trust Fund for Jacobs’ Family:
Riverside Employees Credit Union
8543 Indiana Ave.
Riverside 92504
Acct. # 0196-02

An undercover Oakland narcotics officer was shot and killed by two rookie policeman while he was arresting a car theft suspect last night.

William Wilkins, 29, a seven-year veteran of the department, was the 46th Oakland policeman to die in the line of duty since 1867 but the first killed by friendly fire.

Wilkins, a member of the Alameda County Narcotics Task Force, had caught a car theft suspect after chasing him through backyards in the 9100 block of D Street in East Oakland, police said.

Just what caused the two uniformed officers to fire at Wilkins, who was wearing civilian clothes, is unclear.

Kim Davis, who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting, said the uniformed officers were overcome with grief when they realized what they had done.

“Willie! Willie! .’.’. Just keep on breathing!,” Davis said she heard one officer say. “We’re going to get you some help.”

But it was too late.

The shooting was reported at 11:14 p.m. Wilkins died of his wounds at 2:20 this morning at Highland Hospital.

Oakland City Manager Robert Bobb said the hospital’s trauma team made heroic efforts to save him.

Police Chief Richard L. Word and chief homicide investigator Paul Berlin, both of whom appeared overwhelmed by Wilkins’ death, responded brusquely at a mid-morning press conference and left many questions hanging in the air, saying that the investigation had only just begun.

Police said Wilkins, who was working on a narcotics case, had evidently seen a speeding car and, realizing it was stolen, gave chase. In the end, Wilkins collared the suspect before the two uniformed officers, who were on the same mission, arrived.

Berlin said investigators found 11 spent shell casings at the scene of the shooting. He would not say how many times Wilkins had been shot, other than to say it was more than once.

The two uniformed officers, whose names were not released, are both in their 20s, and neither has more than a year on the force, Berlin said.

The officers are “very traumatized, and we are giving them time to collect themselves” before they are interrogated, Berlin said.

Berlin said he did not know whether the uniformed officers warned Wilkins before they fired.

Nor did he know whether Wilkins fired. “We haven’t examined his weapon yet,” he said.

Berlin also acknowledged that the department isn’t sure whether the uniformed officers knew that Wilkins had responded to the report of a stolen car and won’t until investigators examine radio tapes that figure to shed more light on the incident.

Exactly how the uniformed officers and Wilkins came into contact is murky, and neither Word nor Berlin clarified the situation.

Larry Jetton, who lives near the scene of the shooting, said the chase for the car thief went right through his backyard.

Davis, 41, who also lives in the area, said she had just gone to bed when she heard gunshots.

“All I know is that I was sleeping and heard all these gunshots boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. The shots were so intense that I thought they were coming through my house,” she said.

Davis ran out to the living room, and when she looked out her front window, she saw a man wearing blue jeans and a coat with a T-shirt underneath in her driveway. He fell to the ground as she watched. She said she saw a uniformed officer standing to his rear, with his gun trained on Wilkins.

“I don’t think (the uniformed officers) knew that the man was an officer,” Davis said. “But they soon figured out.”

Other officers soon converged on the scene, stripping off Wilkins’ clothes, attempting CPR and applying pressure where he was bleeding.

“I saw a bullet hole in his side,” Davis said.

This morning, Davis was sweeping up her living room. At least one bullet from last night’s shooting hit a wall, and a slug fell out of a quilt that had been on her sofa.

“This is scary,” she said. “Normally at that hour I would be sitting here with my kids watching TV.”

In the aftermath of what every police officer regards as one of the worst possible consequences of responding to a crime scene, Sgt. David Walsh summed up the department’s mood: “This is not a good day.”

Fernando Wilkins, the dead officer’s father, said that his son would often tell his family how proud he was to work for the Oakland Police Department.

“He loved his job,” Wilkins said. “He wouldn’t do anything else. He wouldn’t change for another career.”

Wilkins’ son, William Randolph, does not know of his father’s death. “He’s too young to understand,” Fernando Wilkins said, of the 10- month-old baby.

William Wilkins grew up in Hayward and Union City. At age 17, he followed his father’s footsteps and joined the same National Guard unit that his father had belonged to.

The elder Wilkins, who grew up in Panama, emigrated to the United States in 1964. As a National Guardsman, William Wilkins had tours of duty in Korea, Honduras and Panama.

Although his son was killed by friendly fire in the line of duty, Fernando Wilkins said he had no hard feelings toward the police department.

“We have the best regard for them,” he said. “They have put everything at our disposal.”

Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown extended his sympathy to Wilkins’ family and said that “this is the kind of tragedy we hope never happens but in the course of human events, they do happen.”

City Manager Bobb, who went to Highland Hospital and watched the trauma team’s effort to keep Wilkins alive, said he was touched that “they worked so hard to save his life” and by Wilkins’ own struggle to survive.

The last time an Oakland police officer died in a situation involving the department was June 2, 1950. In that incident, Officer James Weir, 33, was killed when the ambulance he was riding in on the way to a robbery collided with a police car at an intersection.

Berlin declined to release the name of the auto theft suspect, but indicated that he may face more serious charges as a result of the fatal shooting of Wilkins.

Wilkins is survived by his wife, Kelly, William Randolph, his parents, a brother, Fernando Jr., and a sister.

Fernando Wilkins said the funeral for William will probably take place next Thursday.

Trust fund:
William Wilkins Jr., 8 mos. old
c/o Oakland POA
717 Washington St.
Oakland, CA 94607
Bank of the West account # 124009606

California Highway Patrol Officer Sean A. Nava, whose personal goal was to get drunks off the road, was struck and killed Thursday, Oct. 28, by a driver returning from a night of drinking in Tijuana, authorities reported.

An 11-year patrol veteran, Nava, 33, died after he was struck by a Toyota 4Runner driven by Christopher P. Merrick, 20, of Breckenridge, Colorado, according to CHP spokeswoman Teri Reese.

Reese stated that the circumstances of Nava’s death were ironic: “Nava worked the graveyard shift the majority of his career because his goal was to get impaired drivers off the highway.”

He had been investigating an earlier accident and was standing six feet away from traffic in the center median strip of Interstate 5 just north of Tamarack Avenue in Carlsbad at 6:13 a.m. when he was struck, Reese reported.

Reese said that Merrick continued driving, left the freeway and drove onto a nearby street where he was forced to stop because his vehicle’s windshield was smashed, the fender twisted and the hood crumpled.

Neighbors who were awakened by Merrick and his partner, James R. Smith Jr., 22, arguing, notified the Carlsbad police, who had been alerted to a nearby hit-and-run crash involving a similar vehicle and an officer.

A witness to the freeway accident identified Merrick whose blood alcohol level was in excess of .08. He was booked into the Vista jail on charges of manslaughter, felony hit-and-run driving and drunken driving. His passenger, Smith, was questioned and released. Among the more than 1,300 people attending funeral services on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Mission San Luis Rey, Serra Center, in Oceanside were Gov. Gray Davis, CHP Commissioner Dwight Helmick and law enforcement officers from as far away as Illinois, Tennessee and New York.

At the service Rev. William Kernan said of Nava, “Sean was a great blessing to those that knew and loved him.”

Officer Mike Kelley, who worked the overnight shift with Nava, shared memories of numerous times he glimpsed Nava’s goodness. He told the mourners that if Nava saw a homeless person while patrolling the highway, he would stop, help him to safety and then give him some money so he could eat.

Governor Davis told Nava’s wife, Melanie, that “all of California mourns with you.” He continued, saying that Nava served as a “soldier of decency” and was a hero in a time when heroes are few.

“When people ask you where have all the heroes gone, tell them the story of Sean Nava. To his core he was a police officer. It was his calling and it was in his blood. Like all his fellow law enforcement officers all across America, he embodied the best in our nation.” Nava was buried during a private service in Riverside.

Nava grew up in Oceanside where his family moved when he was one-year-old. He graduated from Oceanside High School and enlisted in the Army where he served as a military police officer in Germany. He joined the CHP after he was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

Nava met his wife, Melanie, at the CHP Academy in Sacramento where they were students. They married after graduation in 1989 and, after a stint in San Jose, joined the San Diego office in 1992 and transferred to Oceanside in 1997. Nava had recently been chosen to work on a special community outreach-policing program.

Reese described Nava as a “great individual and a devoted family man who was involved in his church. He was articulate and well educated, taking classes at California State University, San Marcos. He wasn’t just good at the technical side, he was the whole package, a wonderful team player.”

Nava was given a Spirit of Courage award by the San Diego Burn Institute for his act of heroism in trying to save a driver trapped in a burning vehicle in June 1999.

He recently graduated from the University of Phoenix and his friends described Nava as a financial wizard. Nava planned to help his fellow officers to make sure their futures were financially secure.

Gov. Davis concluded the service by saying “Sean Nava served us so we could be safe. He took risks so we could be safe today and all our tomorrows.”

His wife, Melanie, and children, Alexandria, 7, and Patrick, 4, survive Nava.

A memorial fund has been established to assist the Nava family. Donations may be made to: Officer Sean Nava Memorial Fund, c/o El Dorado Bank, 675 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008-2305.

Officer Gerald Silvestri, 37, described himself to his bicycle racing buddies as “the most deceptively fast, short, stocky bald guy” on two wheels, stated long-time friend Officer Mike Madden. Silvestri’s quick wit, along with his fierce loyalty and professionalism, will be missed most by his friends and fellow officers at the San Bernardino Police Department.

He was less than two hours into an overnight shift on Saturday, Oct. 14, when Silvestri heard a call for backup from another officer who had come across a suspected auto thief, possibly armed. He died when he lost control of his patrol car as he responded to the call and crashed into an oak tree. Nearby residents said they believed he swerved to avoid hitting something in the road. Skid marks showed the car’s path over the curb and into the tree.

Anthony Ulibarri, 40, a nearby resident, stated that he was one of three men who tried to pull Silvestri from the patrol car that was leaking gasoline. Silvestri didn’t respond to them, Ulibarri said. He continued, “I knew when we pulled him out that he would die. The car was crushed like a beer can.”

Police Lt. W.D. Smith stated that the incident needn’t have happened because the suspect that Silvestri wanted to help arrest was neither an auto thief nor armed. He said that the story of a stolen car had been embellished by someone as part of a domestic dispute.

Hundreds of officers from throughout California congregated at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland Friday, Oct. 20, to remember Silvestri as a fun-loving husband, father, brother and son, and as a serious, dedicated police officer.

Rev. Mike Urrea told the mourners that Silvestri was, “A person who exemplified what is a police officer. He was truly someone who cared.”

Police Chief Lee Dean told the group that “Gerald simply loved being a cop. He also loved sunflower seeds.”

State Attorney General Bill Lockyer also praised Silvestri. “At a time when duty and honor don’t receive the respect they have in previous generations, it’s satisfying and heartening to know there are those who feel a sense of pride the first time they pinned on the badge.”

Madden and Silvestri became friends eight years ago because of a shared passion for cycling. Silvestri rode 100 to 200 miles each week. At the time, Silvestri drove fuel tankers for a living. For fun, he rode along with Madden and others while they were on patrol.

Madden, who eventually recruited Silvestri, included in his eulogy funny and poignant recollections of their shared passion for bicycle racing. Silvestri, who was nicknamed G-money by his bicycling buddies because he was so fast in the sprints at the end of the races, won some medals at this year’s Police Olympics. Madden added that he was sure that Silvestri cheated somehow, as a gentle wave of laughter rippled through the audience.

Madden said that when he gave Silvestri grief about his smooth head, Silvestri explained that he just didn’t understand “the acrodynamic benefits of a shave head.”

Duane Anderson, Silvestri’s uncle, and Rick Silvestri, his brother, both pastors, recalled him as a comedian from the time he was tiny and also as athletic and competitive.

Anderson told the audience, “You want to know what Gerald was like – look at that boy running around,” pointing to Silvestri’s energetic 2-year-old son, Johnathan, who during the service played with a green and black ball.

When the service ended Johnathan knelt with his 5-year-old sister, Kathryn, in front of the large floral arrangement in front of theSilvestri’s casket. He plucked a few red flowers from the bouquet, turned around and handed them to his mother, Annie.

The Hillside Cemetery in Redlands was the location for the moving traditions of a police officer’s funeral – the meticulous folding of the American flag and its presentation to the widow; the plaintive strains of “Amazing Grace” played on a bag pipe; the three-volley crack of the 21-gun salute; and the playing of “Taps.”

Annie Silvestri pointed to the sky and told her daughter as three sheriff’s helicopters side-by-side approached the crowd, “That’s for your dad” as one helicopter peeled away from the group in the missing-man formation.

As the funeral ended, Pastor John Silvestri, with a proud smile, told members of the audience that his son “Was born a hero.”

In addition to his wife, Annie, and children, Johnathan and Kathryn, Silvestri is survived by his parents, John and Anita Silvestri.

Silvestri worked for the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department from May 1994 to January 1997 and joined the San Bernardino Police Department on January 28, 1997.

Donations may be made in Officer Gerald Silvestri’s name to: The Police Memorial Fund or the Officer’s Emergency Fund, San Bernardino POA, P.O. Box 2967, San Bernardino, CA 92406.