Star & Shield is the official publication of the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA).
February/March 2023
Hearts Are Heavy as Tragedy Strikes Twice in Inland Empire
Like many of you, I was horrified when I learned of the tragic death of Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Isaiah Cordero. On December 29, 2022, the 32-year-old approached a vehicle he had stopped when the driver pulled out a gun and opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Cordero. The suspect fled the scene and led deputies in a vehicle pursuit, where he was shot and killed after he opened fire on deputies. He had a lengthy criminal record and stabbed a California Highway Patrol canine in 2021. Read More
Riverside Sheriffs’ Association … Leadership Epitomized
I want to start my message by acknowledging and saluting the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association (RSA) for their extraordinary leadership as they have faced the heartbreaking mission of honoring two of their fallen heroes, Deputy Isaiah Cordero, 32, EOW: 12/29/22, and Deputy Darnell Calhoun, 30, EOW: 1/13/23. In a two-week period, the RSA has faced the unthinkable, and yet in each tragedy, they have responded with a determined and unwavering commitment to their organization’s motto of “Serving Those Who Serve.” Read More
Moving Forward
The saying goes that progress is a slow process. And historically for Custody Assistants, it seemed that way, or that there was no progress at all. I’ve sat in meetings and heard Lieutenants say, “Can’t they just refuse the assignment?” when talking gas masks and ERT deployment. Or, in regard to safety equipment, they reply, “You should negotiate for that.” Our safety was not to be negotiated. Either provide the equipment or change the policy and assignment. More reasonable people came together to resolve those nonsensical statements. Read More
Sheriff’s Security Officers: Be Informed, Be Prepared, Be Safe
Greetings, everybody. It’s hard to believe we are only a couple months into the new year and are already extremely busy. Some members have asked about the status of Academy classes for SSOs. Personnel representatives have informed PPOA that no academies are currently scheduled. When the Department removed the requirement for associate degrees for deputies, many, if not all, future candidates moved their process to DST. With that in mind, I want to say thank you for the work you do keeping the public safe and, most importantly, ensuring you and your co-workers make it home at the end of the day. Read More
My View of What Our Union Should Be — 30 Years Later
In 1992, I was a young Crime Analyst with six years in the Department when I was elected to the PPOA Board. Never could I have imagined 30 long years later I would be elected to return to the PPOA Board. It should be interesting to see how things have changed! I am a Christian, a father and a proud union member. I am also an incredibly proud and devoted L.A. County Sheriff’s Department member. Read More