My most memorable arrest

My most memorable patrol arrest occured on my first day by myself, late January 1988. I spent two years, one month and thirteen days in custody. Then came twelve weeks of patrol training with my field training officer. Now on my own, one-man car, dayshift, canyon car and not a cloud in the sky.

I drive out to Silverado Canyon and turn down Blackstar Canyon road. As I approach the deadend, I see an Izuzu pick up parked on the side of the road. There appear to be two people in the back of the truck, asleep. I pull in behind the vehicle and contact dispatch, "Unit 18-220 occupied vehicle." I give them the plate and my location in the best patrol voice I could muster; deep, controlled and confident. I exit my unit and start to approach the vehicle, the sleeping occupants are now awake and sitting up. Dispatch asks, "What kind of car do you have?" "220 it's an Izuzu pick up." "220 it's a stolen out of Utah."

My first day by myself and I get to do a felony carstop! Except I suddenly realize I am by myself, standing between my unit and the suspect vehicle with two suspects just waking up. I pull my service weapon and with my other hand my radio, except my patrol voice is not cool, deep and confident. I stammer through, "10-4, um, two at gun point, um, request a follow."

I get back to my car and wait. And wait. And wait. I finally hear the siren getting closer. Luckily, the suspects just sit and wait cooperatively. As Jeff and Tom (a training car) pull up I realize what took them so long; they were driving on a flat tire! We do the textbook felony stop, get both suspects in custody and into the back of my unit. I begin to search the car and find books, paperwork, briefcases and other property with indicia it belonged to someone other than the suspects.

I contact investigations and transport the suspects and property to Headquarters. I meet with the Investigator who informs me there were 17 vehicles broken into overnight and it appears I got the suspects. Yes! That's how to start, felony stop on an occupied stolen and clearing cases. Sheriffin'! I thought every day was going to be like this, which of course it wasn't, but there were enough to make this the best job anyone could have.