The 2009 Western States Police & Fire Games were held June 13th-19th in Santa Clarita, CA. Over 5,000 personnel from 417 public service agencies participated in this year's games. The "Ventura County Combo" soccer team, which was comprised of peace officers from Ventura County Sheriff's Department, Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department, Ventura County District Attorney's Office, and Simi Valley Police Department, won the bronze medal in the Third Place Open Division after winning 4 out of 6 games. Next year's games will be held in Reno, Nevada, where the Ventura County Combo team hopes to take the gold.

The month of May was Peace Officers’ Memorial Month. It was celebrated and remembered throughout the United States. Dena and Gabi Aguirre tied blue ribbons on the antennas of all the Sheriff’s units and around the Peace Officers’ Memorial at the Government Center. The blue ribbon, also worn on coats and uniforms, is a symbol of honor and commitment to duty. May 7 & 8, 2009 was the state ceremony for the fallen officers from the State of California. The names of nineteen officers were engraved on the state memorial this year—nine from years’ past and ten from 2008. Nineteen names too many.   

Even though we’re halfway through 2009, we’ve taken the time to look back to 2008 and note that VCDSA continued its proud tradition of charitable donations last year by giving over $56,000 to many worthy causes. Despite negative investment returns, especially at year-end, VCDSA was able to provide financial support to over 100 different groups that provide a broad-range of assistance, essential programs, activities and services, most of them for citizens right here in Ventura County.

The VCDSA Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 VCDSA Scholarship Awards.  As is customary, all winners were selected by the committee based upon a blind review of applications, meaning that the identities of the applicants were unknown to the committee members (all identifying information was stricken from the applications).  The selection criteria is based upon academic standing and performance, participation in school, athletic and outside activities, community service, overcoming of personal obstacles, and quality of application essay.   

As in the past, the committee members had a difficult time reaching their final decisions due to the outstanding qualifications of all of the applicants.  We wish every applicant continued success in their endeavors. Click here for an overview of the five winners, who will each receive a $1,500 scholarship payable to the college they attend.

The VCDSA Political Action Committee has endorsed Ventura County Sheriff's Department Commander Geoff Dean for Sheriff in the 2010 election. The endorsement follows a candidate's forum where Commander Dean and Chief Deputy Dennis Carpenter, the likely candidates for the Sheriff's election, met with VCDSA bargaining unit members and the Board of Directors to discuss their candidacy. The endorsement also followed a department wide survey of VCDSA bargaining unit members which revealed Commander Dean as the favored internal candidate. Commander Dean is a 31-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. The endorsement of Commander Dean by VCDSA signifies the early stages for the first contested election for the position of Sheriff in more than 32 years and represents the support of the rank-and-file for the candidate.

On Sunday, March 22, 2009 Ventura County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to an incident involving Sophia Gomez, a four year-old child who was killed when a large TV set fell on her while climbing a dresser in her home. The family of Sophia Gomez has set up a memorial fund for her at Bank of America under the name of the Sophia Rae Gomez Memorial Fund. Donations can be made at any Bank of America branch.

Persons wishing to make donations for the trust funds of the Oakland PD officers killed in the line of duty may do so by individual checks made out to families and mailed to: c/o OPOA, Attn: Rennee Hassna, 555 5th Street, Oakland Ca, 94607. Make checks out to the following: "Dunakin Children's Family Trust" and/or "Romans Children's Family Trust" and/or "Sakai Family Trust."Wire transfers directly to Merrill Lynch Accounts: "Dunakin Children's Family Trust" a/c #204-04065 and/or "Romans Children's Family Trust" a/c #204-04066 and/or "Sakai Family Trust" a/c #204-04064.

DISCOUNT TICKETS FOR VCDSA MEMBERS NOW AVAILABLE IN THOUSAND OAKS

In order to make it more convenient for VCDSA members who live and/or work in East County to purchase the discounted Theme Park and Movie tickets sold by VCDSA, with the agreement of East County Admin the tickets will now be available at EVSO through Management Assistant Janet Pentis, 805-494-8260. All of the same tickets and discount passes currently offered through VCDSA will be available at EVSO, including Disneyland, Sea World, Universal Studios, Lego Land, Golf and Stuff, Regal and Edwards Theaters, Mann Theaters, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Ticket prices are subject to change, and special offers may be available periodically.  If you have questions about specific prices, please contact VCDSA at 987-9785.