Belltower: Law enforcement honored at American Legion dinner - Mountain Democrat
Placerville’s American Legion Post 119 held its Officer of the Year dinner March 2 — an event last held two years ago. The hall didn’t reopen for monthly dinners until July 2021.
A large crowd of Legion members and law enforcement personnel and their families filled the Legion Hall on Greenstone Road.
All the chief law enforcement officers were in attendance to introduce each department’s choice for 2022.
Sheriff John D’Agostini introduced Deputy Aaron Lopez, who started with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department in December 2011. Lopez currently is assigned to the South County as a property crimes detective, with an average caseload of 70 investigations annually.
Additionally, Lopez works with narcotics detectives in marijuana eradication, covert operations and undercover work. Bilingual, he has also worked in Central Dispatch when it is short staffed.
To say Lopez is hard working is an understatement. He is also part of the Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiations Team.
“Aaron has great thought processes and a legitimate desire to resolve critical situations peacefully,” D’Agostini said.
Lopez began by saying, “I’m glad we’re all here. I think the Sheriff’s Office has challenged me in many ways. None of this would have been possible without my family.” He also gave credit to his mother for teaching him hard work and dedication.
Placerville Police Chief Joseph Wren spoke about Police Officer Forest Gray, who was in Southern California for instructor training. Gray sent an email thanking everyone for this honor and support.
Gray called his response “comments like a shooting star — amazing and over before you know it.”
The chief said, “Forest defines what a great cop should be.”
District Attorney Vern Pierson told the crowd at the corned beef and cabbage dinner that he has two sons in the military, following his footsteps. He also noted that he teaches privately about once a month in the Bay Area. Police officers in Alameda County ask him about El Dorado County and he tells them that people in El Dorado County love law enforcement.
He also tells them El Dorado County has the lowest per capita crime rate in the state. “It’s true El Dorado County loves law enforcement but expects more” of law enforcement.
“We have high expectations and so does Investigator Rich Horn. He has high expectations.”
Among Horn’s many successes were the Alan murder case and the young child’s death, the Piper/Lopez case.
Horn said, “I’m truly humbled to receive this award. I thank you for showing up and supporting law enforcement.”
He also praised “the best team of investigators in the state” and thanked the victim witness program and his wife Patty and children.
California Highway Patrol Placerville Area Commander Rick Hatfield spoke for CHP Officer Nathan Osborn, noting his sound judgment, dedication and bravery, even receiving several thank-you notes from the motoring public.
Osborn said he has lived in El Dorado County since 1974 and that he used to ride his bicycle to Camerado School. He worked the Paradise Fire, leaving home early in the morning and coming home late at night, thanking his wife for understanding his “lots of crazy hours.”
Osborn said he had worked gangs in the Central Valley. “I’m really glad to be here.”
The sheriff’s Explorer Scouts presented the colors, served the dinners, then bused the dishes, stacked the chairs and rolled up the tables. The Legion members filled tip jars for the Scouts.
Michael Raffety is a retired editor of the Mountain Democrat and a resident of the Placerville area.
source: https://www.mtdemocrat.com/opinion/belltower-law-enforcement-honored-at-american-legion-dinner/
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