Campers ‘Ride with Pride’ at annual Sheriff’s camp
Lauryl Toulouse thought going to horse camp would be boring.
However, more than halfway through the Placer County Sheriff’s Office Ride with Pride day camp, the 9-year-old was eagerly sharing some of the things she learned that day. For example, she never knew that there was a bone in a horse’s tail.
“It’s really fun,” Lauryl said before mounting a horse for a guided walk around a field.
Lauryl was one of about 40 kids participating in day two of the Sheriff’s Office annual camp. The camp, now in its 17th year, allows children aged 7 to 12 to learn how to care, handle and ride horse that the Sheriff’s Office uses for patrol and search and rescue. They also meet deputies and learn more about their role in the community.
“We wanted to find some type of program that bridges the gap between law enforcement and kids in the community,” said Lt. Kevin Borden. “We found horses are good for that.”
Borden has participated in the camp since its inception. Over the course of a day, campers learn about a horse’s anatomy, how to properly groom them and how to saddle and bridle a horse. They watch demonstrations about how officers use the horses for crowd control and later get to take a ride on one of the members of the four-legged fleet.
“One of the most rewarding things is to see a kid who was initially fearful to get on a horse and later ride a horse,” Borden said.
Lynn Harrison, community services officer, said the program continues to grow in popularity. About 1,500 kids have participated in the camp over its 17-year history.
This year they upped the number of kids from 35 a day to 40 a day. There are also 74 children on a wait list and requests have come from as far as Oakland.
“I’m always full within two days,” Harrison said.
The camp is offered at no cost to participants. It operates on donations and sponsors in the community as well as help from volunteers.
“It gives those kids who may not have the opportunity to be able to interact with law enforcement and ride a police horse,” Borden said.
Nine-year-old Marin Lehr was enjoying her first time at the camp. She said she learned that she should use a soft brush to groom a horse’s face and a hard brush to groom the back.
“I think it’s really cool,” Marin said. “It’s cool that they show you about a horse and how to tack and stuff.”
Gavin Calhoun is a veteran camper. The 9-year-old was attending his third Ride with Pride event. He said he liked the games and learning about how to take care of a horse.
“I like to ride horses,” Gavin said.
Borden said he and the other officers are appreciative of the support that enables them to offer a camp which helps young children become familiar with law enforcement.
“It lets kids know we’re just like regular people,” Borden said. “They learn we’re approachable and they can talk to us.”
The Journal’s Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.
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Camp is a ‘Hero’ in eyes of SPCA
The Placer County Sheriff’s day camp Ride with Pride received the 2009 Hero award from the Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The award is based on animals doing wonderful things for people and people doing wonderful things for animals, according to Leilani Vierra, Placer SPCA CEO. Vierra said the day camp met both of those criteria.
“They use horses not only in work but as a vehicle to promote character building in kids by teaching them to be responsible and respectful,” Vierra said. “This isn’t a ‘have to do’ for them. What a joy to see them going above and beyond the call of duty.”
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What team are sheriff’s office horses used for?
Placer County Sheriff’s team of horses are used for a variety of events ranging from annual community parades to the county fair to patrolling shopping centers during busy holiday times.
Some of the horses are also used during search and rescue efforts.
Sheriff’s faith and resilient spirit sustain him in battle with cancer
Todd Martin was hired as a Monroe County sheriff’s deputy in 1982 at $3.10 an hour; he was voted in as sheriff for his first four-year term in 1995 and has continued in that role since. In 2004, Martin was diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer; he was given only two months to live.
Age: 50
Family: wife Terri; son Jared, 17; daughters Karli, 20, and Kelli, 13.
“They are my life. They are my rock.”
Personal slogan: “You aspire to inspire before you expire.” The line was sent to Martin anonymously when he was sick. He still thinks about it.
Baseball fan: New York Mets since at least 1969
Born in Glen Ridge, N.J., Todd Martin later moved to Key Largo, Fla., and finally to Pennsylvania, recruited as a soccer player for East Stroudsburg State College in 1979. He was a hot shot on the field and had an opportunity to go professional and try out with the National Soccer League as a goalie. But his father wouldn’t let him. It wasn’t a sensible job. Turned out to be a smart move. The league folded. Good thing Martin earned a degree in criminal justice and sociology.
While in school he worked part time at Lim’s sport shop. Mr. Lim talked to Forrest Sebring, Monroe’s sheriff at the time, and put in a good word for Martin.
He was hired as a Monroe County sheriff’s deputy in 1982 at $3.10 an hour. “Can you imagine that? $3.10 an hour to carry a gun,” Martin gave one of his hearty laughs. After his first raise Martin earned $5.56 an hour.
In those days the office handled about a dozen foreclosures a month. Now Martin schedules more than 100 sheriff sales each month. “This year has been higher than last year.”
He attributes the increase to people who are living far beyond their means. “When I bought my house 20 years ago, you needed 20 percent down.”
In recent years people purchases large homes with no money down. When home owners fail to make payments, there is no equity in the home so people don’t care about it. They walk away, sometimes trashing the house first.
“There should be just as much love in a small house as in a big house. You don’t need the built-in swimming pool, you just need to live within your means. It creates delinquent taxes and makes the area a blister,” Martin said.
In addition to foreclosures, the sheriff’s office handles court duties, prisoner transport and extraditions of prisoners from all over the United States. It also issues gun permits and operates the Senior Safety and DARE programs.
Sometimes they save lives. In 1988, Martin helped save the life a drowning boy in Stroud Township. Martin administered CPR, revived the youngster and later brought him a teddy bear at the hospital. The American Red Cross recognized Martin for his action.
He became chief deputy sheriff in 1988 and was voted in as sheriff for his first four-year term in 1995 and has continued in that role since. His current term ends in 2011.
“The sheriff is considered the chief law enforcement officer for each county. We’re elected, We’ve got a report card every four years. We work for the people and are elected by the people.” A consuming job, Martin sacrificed a lot of time away from family.
Then he got sick in 2004. Diagnosis: two months to live. Martin had a rare form of bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma. He set a goal to live long enough to see his daughter finish her field hockey season. And another goal, to see her graduate. Two weeks ago, by turning 50, Martin hit a milestone that once was in doubt.
Martin underwent a revolutionary treatment in which his own stem cells were removed and later, after chemotherapy, the cells were transplanted back into his body. Unlike a bone marrow transplant, there is no danger of rejection in this procedure.
In sickness Martin found himself surrounded by amazing strength. “I realized what family was all about. It’s not an individual disease. It’s a family disease. It changed my view on life.”
Family, friends and co-workers supported him throughout the pain, fatigue and uncertainty.
Martin’s daughter Karli raised more than $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society directly by selling red bracelets in her dad’s name. While attending an awards ceremony for her accomplishment, the society’s Allentown chapter announced that more than $60,000 had been raised indirectly through her efforts.
Recently, Martin agreed to sit on the advisory board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Allentown chapter. He is also on an advisory board for Pocono Medical Center and is assistant fire chief with the Stroudsburg Fire Department.
The multiple myeloma is in remission for now. Martin still gets treatment and hopes to make a difference in the fight against the disease by participating in clinical studies with the University of Pennsylvania State Medical Center.
In 2008, the cancer invaded his hip. Martin had a total hip replacement. He was recently diagnosed with painful fibromyalgia and suffers from fatigue these days, but it’s hard to tell.
“Everyone says I put on a good game face. I’m very optimistic in life. I live day to day. I don’t look into the future.”
Whenever someone wants to talk about cancer, Martin takes the time to visit with them.
“I have a lot of faith. I believe there is a reason for everything. A lot of good has come out of sickness.”
Injured trooper honored in Yarmouth
Signs honoring state police Trooper Ellen Engelhardt will soon stand near Route 6, reminding those who pass by of a career dedicated to public service.
But the real tribute to Engelhardt was in the hearts of colleagues and strangers who stood shoulder to shoulder during a ceremony today to remember her compassion and dedication.
An estimated 100 people, mostly police, crowded into a state highway garage for the ceremony held just off the Mid-Cape Highway, only yards from where Engelhardt spent many years directing morning rush hour traffic.
They were there for the unveiling of signs bearing Engelhardt’s name that will stand along the Exit 7 on and off ramps – a rare tribute to a living police officer.
Engelhardt, 55, was gravely injured six years ago when a drunken driver going nearly 100 miles an hour slammed into the back of her patrol car while it was stopped in a break-down lane on Route 25.
Although she survived, the injuries – including a traumatic brain injury – left Engelhardt unable to communicate or care for herself. She lives today in a specialized care facility, frequently visited by family.
“I didn’t know her so to speak,” said South Dennis resident Maureen Spencer. “I used to see her every morning when I drove to work (in Hyannis). Then one time my car broke down in the winter, and she let me sit in her cruiser to stay warm while I waited for my husband to come pick me up.”
It was the memory of this one simple act of kindness that led Spencer to attend today’s ceremony. “When she was first hurt, it just broke my heart,” Spencer said. “Until I met her, I’d never really had any interaction with police. She made police human for me.”
Peoria Police tackling ‘dog days’ of summer
The Peoria Police Department is using technology to help their canine units beat the “dog days” of summer.
K-9 officers at the police department have been outfitted with small devices that constantly inform them of the inside temperature of their vehicles.
When the temperature in the car gets around 84 degrees, the officer is notified, the back windows of the car roll down, and fans turn on to cool off the dog.
It’s all in an effort to keep these furry members of the squad safe.
“They’re every bit as important as we are,” says Doug Burgess, public information officer for the department. “They’ve got a job to do and we expect them to be able to perform it when we need them and therefore, we try to protect them as much as possible.”
The police department started utilizing this technology when they bought their new K-9 cruisers last year.
K-9 – A team that is hard to beat
Canines have been “man’s best friend” for centuries, providing comfort and protection throughout their relationship with their two-legged companions. Few can compete with the keen senses of well-bred dogs. With proper training and discipline, K-9 units have served to maintain peace and aid in combat. Pictographs from ancient times illustrate the symbiotic nature of dogs and man in battles as warriors, sentinels and messengers. Above all, these fiercely loyal companions often were a source of inspiration and love that transcended a particular hostile encounter.
In civil security situations, use of animals is common and within the ranks of police forces, mounted patrols and K-9 units are considered vital to a functional compliment of sworn officers. Search and control situations often are not only augmented by but can be dependent upon the agility and remarkable sensitivity of canine companions.
Local law enforcement agencies recognize the advantages of K-9 units and such patrols have been a common practice and specially-trained officers and dogs work together throughout their careers. Dogs are not just patrol partners, but live with their human companion and their families, often retiring with them as well. Human officers and their canine counterparts are fused into a single operational unit that exhibits amazing synergy exceeding by far the efforts of a single officer. A strong bond of love, honor and loyalty combined with extensive training gives these units a significant advantage on patrol and in emergency situations.
An example of local K-9 officers is Robert Davila who has been a member of the Fremont Police force for his entire 29-year career in law enforcement. His current partner and constant companion is “Officer” Tuffy, a five year-old German shepherd who has been with the Fremont Police Department and Officer Davila for the past three years. Both will retire – and remain together – at the end of this year. Davila has worked in SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), field training, sexual assault, narcotics, fraud and as a detective during his career but says the most rewarding position has been time spent with Tuffy. Born and trained in the Czech Republic, Tuffy is highly skilled in search situations – for people and narcotics – and can work as an adjunct to the SWAT unit. He even wears his own badge!
The team of Davila and Tuffy exercise and train every night sharpening their skills to follow orders and protocol regardless of distractions, tracking, narcotics and coordination with other K-9 units. Tuffy has a different collar for each duty and similar to his human counterpart, at times wears a bulletproof vest for protection.
Davila loves this assignment and his attachment for Tuffy truly shows. Other K-9 units exhibit similar affection and respect for each partner and serve as willing public relations ambassadors to the community. As an example of the warm relationship between the public and these units, K-9 Officer Dennis Baca and his companion, “Harkos” recently received a check from fundraising efforts of the California School for the Blind to purchase an armored vest for Harkos. Although the fundraising goal was $600, the school raised $1,149 for the K-9 unit.
Davila says he and Tuffy will soon retire together and Tuffy will remain his dog. Davila says he could not ask for a better way to leave the force.
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