Deputy Spotlight
Captain Christopher Nee
The City of Duarte welcomes newly assigned Captain Christopher P. Nee, as the new head of the Temple Sheriff's station. Captain Nee, a 24- year veteran of the Shertiff's Department, was personally selected by Shefiff Baca to assume command of Temple Station in October, 2011. As captain of Temple Station, Nee serves as "police chief" for Temple City, Duarte, Rosemead, South El Monte and nearby unincorporated county areas.
Captain Nee grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and since being promoted to Sergeant in 2000, he has worked various assignments including Walnut and West Hollywood Stations, Asian Gang detail, COPS Bureau, and Personnel Administration. In 2006, he was promoted to lieutenant and is also working towards a degree in Accounting at Cal Poly Pomona.
Considering all of the various communities in which Captain Nee has worked, he explains that Duarte is by far the most proactive in its commitment to provide rehabilitation services and opportunities to positively change people's lives. He also emphasizes the need for residents to become involved in neighborhood watch groups. Stating, "our commitment to each other as a community not only improves the daily quality of life in our city, but is vital to our abililty to help each other in times of emergencies, such as earthquakes, fires, or even our most recent rash of wind damage and power outages.
Nee has personally pledged to work closely with Duarte Cityofficials to ensure that residents' concerns are addressed. "My personnel strive each day is to provide quality, ethical, and compassionate service to all members of the community," he said.
Sergeant Tony Haynes
The City of Duarte is lucky to have a dedicated Sergeant at their sub-station as Duarte’s satellite station supervisor. Sergeant Tony Haynes Sergeant is Duarte’s liaison to Temple Station and will directs Deputies working in the field, as well as Duarte’s Special Assignment team. Sergeant Haynes has 23 years of law enforcement experience, a former Los Angeles County Marshal and has been assigned to Temple Station which covers our City since 1995. He holds an Associate of Science degree from East LA College.
In his professional career Sergeant Haynes has provided enforcement services in and out of the Municipal and Federal courtrooms for over 5 years. He also worked in the Los Angeles County Jail System, and patrolled at Temple Station, where he also served as a Field Training Officer, and a Special assignment team member. He left Temple Station briefly to work with the Leadership and Training Division in LASD’s Risk Management Bureau. In 2006, he promoted to Sergeant and when given the opportunity took an assignment back at his home station, Temple Station.
When presented with the opportunity to transfer to the Duarte Sub Station in March 2009, Sergeant Haynes said, “It was no question.” He knows that all personnel assigned to Duarte, both sworn and civilian are “A” players and the best in the business. He explained that he finds that the partnership between the sworn and civilian workforce, coupled with community partners, is second to none in Duarte. He also comments on how motivated everyone in Duarte is, and he is proud to be a part of this team. He is impressed with the amount of resources available to the community, especially the youth. He highlights the DART program, the Teen Center, the Skate Park, and many others programs, and feels that there is ample opportunity for residents and their children to achieve success in Duarte. He believes that youth who stay involved in positive activities are less likely to get involved with gangs.
Sergeant Haynes further explained that, although programs can be helpful, he feels that the key to a safe community does not lie in one particular program or effort, but in positive communication between residents and law enforcement. His advice to all residents is, “Please, do not be afraid to call me, or stop and talk to me or any Deputy in the field. If we do not communicate we cannot help.” Sergeant Tony Haynes is looking forward to meeting Duarte citizens. He can be contacted at the Sheriff’s Satellite Station at (626) 359-5671 ext. 304.
Special Assignment Deputy Wayne Goodrich
When investigating any gang shooting or drug related crime, Deputy Wayne Goodrich follows up on leads, speaks with several residents. He even had witnesses identify the shooter from a collection of photos referred to as a “six pack.” On most occasions his work has led to the arrests of several suspects.
Among the greatest challenges Deputies face is finding good eyewitnesses willing to get involved by providing information on crimes. Eyewitness accounts provide the foundation for Special Assignment Deputies like Goodrich to utilize years of experience to address community concerns.
Serving the city of Duarte usually during the evening hours, Goodrich enjoys the ever-changing work environment including the variety of individuals and service calls. Goodrich’s joined the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department in 1992 and began with working in the Inmate Reception Center. This followed by training at Temple Station before becoming a patrol deputy in Duarte in 2000.
Goodrich recognizes that Duarte’s residents take great pride in the well being of their neighborhood. He encourages residents to actively do their part in reducing opportunities for vehicle burglaries. The majority of vehicle burglaries, according to Goodrich, could have been prevented if owners simple removed or hid personal belongings from plain view. Wallets, backpacks, coats and planners have all tempted criminals to burglarize cars.
His exceptional work in the City of Duarte made him 2007’s recipient of LA County Sheriff Department Employee of the Year.
Deputy David Olivas
During the afternoon and into the evening, Deputy David Olivas patrols Duarte to keep the streets safer. Focusing primarily on traffic concerns, Olivas enforces traffic laws and responds to traffic accidents, while maintaining an overall presence in the community and serving to backup other deputies on patrol.
Olivas has been part of the Duarte Team since 2001 and enjoys working for the city’s friendly residents. Olivas encourages residents to drive cautiously. Motorists need to be aware that even if posted speed limits read 35 mph, this limit decreases to 25 in all school zones. In addition, some streets have lower speed limits in certain sections, like Royal Oaks Drive between Mt. Olive and Highland where the limit is 25 mph.
Responding to an average of three traffic collisions per week during his shift, Olivas stresses the necessity to drive defensively and to check all intersections before driving through them. Whether it’s a busy intersection like Huntington Drive and Buena Vista or a four-way stop in a residential area, motorists need to be alert for distracted or hurried drivers. Olivas states, “Even though a light may be green or it’s your turn to go at a four-way stop, drivers need to remain constantly cautious for cars running a red light or other drivers that are simply not paying attention.”
Prior to serving through law enforcement, Olivas earned an Associates of Arts degree Administration of Justice and another in Auto Mechanics. Before working the Duarte area, Olivas worked the Temple Station region including Temple City, South El Monte and Rosemead. Other assignments over his career with the Sheriff’s Department include training in the East Los Angeles area and working in the Men’s Central Jail and the Biscailuz Center.
Deputy Marcelo Sepulveda - Duarte’s Motor Deputy
Although Deputy Sheriff Marcelo Sepulveda is our motorcycle deputy, he was not always riding on his bike in Duarte. Sepulveda has worked in the City of Duarte as a patrol and crime deputy since 2005. He enjoyed working in our small, friendly City so much, that when he decided to make a bilateral career move in 2008 and become a motor deputy then he requested to stay in Duarte.
Prior to becoming a Deputy, Sepulveda attended East LA College, but it has been his over fifteen years of service that has taught him how to patrol and deal with criminals. His Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department career began with a year at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood. He then worked custody for six years at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Downtown Los Angeles. He received training in the South El Monte, Rosemead and Temple City communities. He then requested to be assigned to the Duarte Sheriff’s Satellite Station to work the area on a regular basis. He admits he loves the atmosphere of a close-knit community.
He describes himself as a people person. Sepulveda enjoys talking to people and seeing how, “[he] can make their lives simpler.” Sepulveda, a native of Chile is fluent in Spanish and is able to assist Spanish speakers and new immigrants and educate them on the law. After completing the LA County Sheriff Motorcycle School in December 2007, he felt ready to take on his new assignment and since then he has been making sure Duarte streets are safe for motorists and pedestrians.
He describes the three week training as, “the most difficult and technical” schooling he has ever attended. He would like to remind residents to pay close attention to the speed limits around their community and especially around school zones. Drive safe, stay off your phones and pay attention to pedestrians and traffic laws. Remember safety is a priority and although it is an old saying we must not forget, “Click it or ticket”.
Deputy Elvis Salas
Deputy Elvis Salas joined the Duarte Team in October 2010. As an early morning crime car he keeps busy responding to crimes in progress or suspicious activity calls while Duarte residents sleep.
Salas’s 14 years of service with the Los Angeles Sheriff Department began with 1 year at North County Correctional Facility in Castaic, followed by training in South El Monte, Duarte, Monrovia and Temple City communities and patrol. He decided to join the Department after serving in the United States Marine Corp as a reserve for 6 years while working as Community Service Officer for the City of Lancaster. He also has an Associate degree in Public Administration.
Salas’ general responsibilities as the early morning crime car include responding to crime calls and maintaining high visibility to aid in deterring criminal activity. He explains this keeps him busy and allows him to meet people who have the most problems in our city. He admits he requested to work in Duarte because he likes the small community feel which give him the ability to get to know residents and work closely with Community Service and Code Enforcement Officers and Special Assignment Deputies. He believes that this system allows Duarte to better serve the public and solve issues that would otherwise fall through the cracks in bigger cities.
As the early morning car he explains that his main goal is to make sure families are safe during the night and don’t worry for their safety. He would like to encourage Duarte residents to become involved in the community, volunteer through neighborhood watch, look out for their neighbors, and report crime and any suspicious activity. He would like to remind everyone to report those people who do not belong in your neighborhood, “Please give us a reason to contact them, (626) 285-7171.”If you are afraid to report an on-going problem or person in your neighborhood do so anonymously at (626) 359-5671 ext. 462.
Deputy Evelio Galvez
Deputy Evelio Galvez began his assignment in Duarte back in June 2008. After working as a relief unit in the City of Duarte for two months he grew fond of Duarte and requested a position. We are lucky to have him fill the Crime Car position which he works in mornings into early afternoon.
Deputy Galvez has worked for the Sheriff’s Department since 2000. His first assignment was at the North County Correctional Facility where he worked for six years. After leaving the jail, he completed training at Temple Station where he patrolled the streets of Temple City, Pasadena, Monrovia, Arcadia and South El Monte. Before joining the Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Galvez earned an Associate of Science in Public Administration and worked in management at a McDonald’s for five years.
In the day crime car position, Galvez is responsible for handling calls ranging from domestic disturbance to burglaries. He also enjoys working side by side with the Duarte Public Safety Team. He especially likes the small station feel and working closely with the City of Duarte personnel. He appreciates that they help him learn about residents and provide better overall customer service. Speaking Spanish fluently has helped him serve our community.
Deputy Galvez would like to remind residents that the bad guys look for easy targets. Prevent crime by remembering to lock your doors and windows at home and in your vehicles. Also, please be aware of your surroundings and above all, be observant. Adding, “Chances are if it doesn’t look right, you are right and should give us a call.” Please remember to use our business line for non-emergencies, (626) 357-7938 and for emergencies please dial 911.
Deputy Charles Moore
Deputy Charles Moore has worked the evening traffic car in Duarte since early 2011 and as of March 2012 he has been assigned as Duarte's evening Special Assigment Deputy. The City of Duarte is fortunate to have a Deputy with his gang expertise and experience, this will assist in gathering intelligence and awareness in the community. His current duties include the gang enforcement and intelligence as well as identifying and targeting specific crime patterns, like narcotics and burglaries.
Deputy Moore has a long career in Public Service. He is a US Army Veteran where he served as an Airborne ranger. Prior to joining the Sheriff Department he also worked for 5 years as a Paramedic. His career with the Sheriff Department began in 2006. His first assignment was at Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic. He then transferred to an even more challenging assignment with the Violent Crime Suppression Team in Palmdale where he put his custody experience to use. In his prior assignment he worked in Parole/Probation compliance. Moore earned an Associates of Science in Paramedicine and is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.
Deputy Moore’s expertise in violent crime suppression and target saturation led him to the Duarte Sub Station and we are proud to have him as a new addition to the team. Moore explains that in order to better serve the public he will continue to work with the public and establish an accord with the citizens. He feels that with community input public servants do a better job at addressing quality of life issues. He would like to encourage all Duarte residents to get involved in our community, whether it is through Neighborhood Watch or simply by being part of community events. He reminds us that we all need to exercise our civic duty in order to improve our community. Lastly, Moore adds that he is looking forward to the opportunity to serve Duarte residents and provide us all with a safer community.
