Sheriff Bill Gore

STATE AUDITOR SLAMS SD SHERIFF’S DEPT. ON JAIL DEATHS, URGES LEGISLATURE TO FIX ISSUE

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Sheriff Bill Gore, whose retirement is effective Thursday, has pushed back against jail critics in the past. Photo by Ken Stone

February 3, 2022 (San Diego) - On the day San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore retires, a state auditor released a damning report Thursday that calls on state lawmakers to make “meaningful changes” to reduce his agency’s high rate of jail deaths.


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SHERIFF GORE TO STEP DOWN FEBRUARY 3

By Miriam Raftery

January 19, 2022 (San Diego) – Sheriff Bill Gore today announced that he will retire effective February 3 after 51 years in law enforcement, nearly a year before his term of office would have ended in January 2023. Gore was appointed Sheriff in 2009 to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Bill Kolender, later winning elections three times.


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SHERIFF GORE WON’T SEEK REELECTION

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Ron Logan

July 30, 2021 (San Diego) – San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore will not seek reelection in 2022, he informed his 3,600 employees yesterday.

Gore, 73, has served three terms of office, which will end in January 2023.


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HOW TO GET TEXTS OF SAN DIEGO SHERIFF HELICOPTER MESSAGES

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Prepared by: Melissa Aquino

November 4, 2020 (San Diego) - A new San Diego County Sheriff's Department service is now available to keep you informed. 

Call or text "Hello" to (858) 866-HELO (4356) to receive helicopter messages straight to your phone. 

Sheriff's ASTREA (helicopter) uses a loudspeaker when searching for a missing person or suspect. Announcements are also made during critical incidents such as a SWAT standoff, disasters, crowd management events or to give people a shelter in place notification.

This is not an automated or a push notification service. You still need to call or text "Hello" to (858) 866-HELO each time you hear Sheriff's ASTREA making announcements over your area.


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SHERIFF GORE: GUN STORES CAN SELL DURING COVID-19, BUT MUST PROVIDE SOCIAL DISTANCING

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo Courtesy: San Diego Sheriff's Dept.
 
March 26, 2020 (San Diego) – The California Governor’s stay-home order during the COVID-19 emergency allows Sheriff’s to determine whether gun stores are essential businesses. San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore announced that local gun stores an remain open, provided they comply with the county’s public health order requirements for social distancing and consider these alternative means of operation. 
 
No groups of 10 or more people are allowed in any space and at least six feet must be maintained between people.  As a result, Sheriff Gore says, “I am asking all retail firearms establishments to look at alternative sales options which might include scheduling appointments” to prevent lines and comply with health requirements.
 

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DEPUTIES HONORED BY ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE FOR POWAY SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING RESPONSE

Photo Credit: Sheriff Bill Gore's office, Lt. Ricardo Lopez
(L-R) Deputy Damek Herrera, Deputy James Santos, Sheriff Bill Gore, Deputy Jess Allensworth, Assistant Sheriff Kelly Martinez, Deputy Janet Hoxie and Deputy Joaquin Santalo
 
By Lt. Ricardo Lopez
 
March 10, 2020 (Los Angeles) -- Today, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and other agencies were honored for their response to the Chabad of Poway shooting by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) during an awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
 
"The Helene and Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate" is given by ADL to recognize law enforcement for its work in fighting hate and bigotry. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards given to the law enforcement community.
 

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FORMER SHERIFF’S CAPTAIN GARMO INDICTED FOR GUN TRAFFICKING, LYING TO FEDS, AND TIPPING OFF COUSIN WHO OWNED POT SHOP ON RAIDS

Jeweler Leo Hamel, Lt. Fred Magana plead guilty to aiding in scheme; gun dealer and El Cajon resident also charged

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Indicted former Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Captain Marco Garmo, courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

November 22, 2019 (San Diego) --  Former Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Captain Marco Garmo was arrested this morning based on a federal grand jury indictment that charges him with operating an illegal firearms trafficking business – at times from his office at the Rancho San Diego Station with the help of others, including a fellow Sheriff’s deputy.

The indictment also charges Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Fred Magana, prominent San Diego jeweler Leo Hamel, firearms dealer Giovanni Tilotta and El Cajon resident Waiel Anton with aiding and abetting Garmo’s illegal firearms business.


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RANCHO SAN DIEGO SHERIFF CAPTAIN MARCO GARMO PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE DURING ATF/FBI CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

Action comes on heels of countywide firearms trafficking investigation

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo: Capt. Marco Garmo,10 News

February 14, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- Capt. Marco Garmo, who most recently headed up the Rancho San Diego substation of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has been placed on an administrative leave until further notice, according to ECM news partner 10News.

On the same day that the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted raids throughout San Diego County, including the large sprawling Jamul estate of San Diego jeweler Leo Hamel due to a firearms trafficking investigation, Garmo was put on leave. The Rancho San Diego substation covers the same area of Hamel’s property.

Sheriff Gore, in a e-mail obtained by 10News yesterday, states that he was made aware of potential criminal conduct by Garmo by a senior member of the Sheriff’s Department, and implies that the removal of Garmo is linked to the broader federal investigation involving Hamel’s properties.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: SHERIFF BILL GORE MAKES CASE FOR REELECTION

 

Hear our interview at this audio link, or scroll down for higlights.

By Miriam Raftery

 

May 6, 2018 (San Diego) – In an exclusive interview aired recently on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ radio, Sheriff Bill Gore said San Diego is the “safest urban county in America” and touted his nine-year record, also addressing controversies. Hear the full interview at the audio link above, or scroll down for highlights.

Gore has a 44-year career in law enforcement, including serving as Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), where he helped pioneer a cyber crimes squad and joint terrorism task force. A Navy veteran raised in San Diego, he comes from a law enforcement family and is married to one of the FBI’s first women agents. His department serves the county’s unincorporated areas and contracts with nine local cities, including Lemon Grove and Santee here in East County.

Audio: 

Sheriff Bill Gore interview 2018 on KNSJ

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SANTEE CITY COUNCIL TO SEND LETTER TO SHERIFF GORE REQUESTING CHANGE IN CONCEALED WEAPONS POLICY

 

East County News Service

 

July 17, 2017 (Santee) – In a 5-0 unanimous vote, the Santee City Council has authorized Mayor John Minto to send an official letter from the council to San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore requesting a change in Gore’s internal policy regarding the issuance of concealed weapon permits. Specifically, the council is asking Sheriff Gore to accept self-defense or personal protection to fulfill California’s requirement of “good cause.” 


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APPEALS COURT: NO RIGHT TO CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON

 

By Miriam Raftery

Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, issued a decision in the case of Peruta v. County of San Diego, et al.

This case involved applicants who were denied licenses to obtain concealed carry permits. The applicants were denied for failing to establish "good cause," as required under California law. The applicants sued alleging that the "good cause" requirement violated their Second Amendment rights. The matter was eventually argued before an en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.


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SHERIFF ANNOUNCES DUI PATROLS ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

 

January 26, 2015 (San Diego) -- The Sheriff's Department is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to keep impaired drivers off San Diego's roadways on Super Bowl Sunday.


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ATTENTION MOTORISTS! APRIL IS DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH

 

April 18, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded.


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RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR RANCHO SAN DIEGO POLICE STATION DRAWS COMMUNITY MEMBERS

 By Janis Mork

 

"It means a faster response time and ...a higher level of public safety in all of these neighborhoods." -- Supervisor Dianne Jacob

February 11, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)- At the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Rancho San Diego police station, many community members showed their support.


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SHERIFF'S DEPT. WARNS OF PHONY PEACE OFFICER CALLS ASKING FOR CASH

 

 

February 3, 2014 (San Diego)--Residents of San Diego County are being asked to report any calls they receive from someone claiming to be a peace officer and subsequently asking for cash payment, the Sheriff’s Department announced this week.


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SHERIFF ANNOUNCES SUPERBOWL DUI PATROLS, SAYS "FANS DON'T LET FANS DRIVE DRUNK"

 

February 1, 2014 (San Diego)--The Sheriff's Department plans to execute a winning game plan with increased DUI patrols across the county to stop drunk drivers on Super Bowl Sunday, the biggest day of the year for football fans.

Increased DUI patrols by deputies will start at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2 and continue through 5 a.m. Monday.

More alcohol-related car crashes happen on Super Bowl Sunday in California than on any other Sunday in January and February, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.


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SAINT PATRICK’S DAY “DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER” ENFORCMENT ANNOUNCED BY SHERIFF GORE

 

As Saint Patrick's Day approaches, Sheriff Bill Gore and the AVOID the 15 DUI Task Force are urging drivers to plan a safe ride home and never get behind the wheel drunk or drugged. Deputies and officers throughout San Diego County will be on high alert cracking down on drunk drivers as part of its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over safety campaign.

Deputies and officers will conduct DUI Patrols this Saint Patrick's Day weekend starting Friday at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday at 2:00 a.m. DUI/Driver License Checkpoints are also planned for the following cities: Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, Oceanside and the City of SanDiego.


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SHERIFF PRAISES HEROISM OF DEPUTIES WHO SHIELDED AND RESCUED FALLEN OFFICERS

September 29, 2012 (Lakeside)—Sergeant Craig Johnson has been released from Scripps Mercy Hospital and is recovering at home with his family, Sheriff Gore reported today. Johnson, along with Deputy Ari Perez, were shot by a child abuse suspect with a high-powered rifle. Perez remains hospitalized following surgery. 


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SHERIFF “CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC” THAT DEPUTIES WOUNDED IN LAKESIDE SHOOTOUT WILL MAKE FULL RECOVERY

SWAT officer from SDPD credited with saving lives of fallen deputies

September 26, 2012 (Lakseide)—San Diego Sheriff’s Department has identified the two deputies who were shot in the line of duty yesterday by a suspected child abuser.  The gun battle began at 12:17 yesterday at  apartment 72 at 12701 Mapleview Street. 

Sgt. Craig Johnson, a 23-year veteran of the  Santee Sheriff’s Station and Detective Ali Perez, an 18-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Child Abuse unit, both suffered gunshot wounds to the torso.  Following surgery at Sharp Memorial Hospital, Sgt. Johnson is in serious condition, while Detective Perez is in critical condition.


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SAN DIEGO REGION WINS ADDITIONAL $1.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL HOMELESS FUNDING

Survivors of Human Trafficking/Commercial Sexual Exploitation Among Those Getting Help  

March 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- Four new regional projects have received more than $1.7 million in federal funding for the first time thanks to efforts by County Housing and Community Development, the lead agent for the Regional Continuum of Care.  The new projects will provide transitional and long-term housing and support services for homeless people. 


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SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF CONTINUES TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM TO COMBAT DUI DEATHS AND INJURIES

 
December 15, 2011 (San Diego County) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year‐long anti‐DUI program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways. 


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SHERIFF'S RANCHO SAN DIEGO STATION GROUNDBREAKING NOV 18

 

November 13, 2011 (San Diego County) -- The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Rancho San Diego Station on Friday, November 18t at 10:00 a.m.  Sheriff Bill Gore, Supervisor Dianne Jacob, community leaders and local law enforcement agencies in the East County will be in attendance.  


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REPORTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT RECALL 9/11 FOR ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM SEPT. 8 AT 10 NEWS

 

 

 

August 17, 2011 (San Diego) -- The Society of Professional Journalists will mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with a program looking back at coverage of what was one of the most important news events in recent history.


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SHERIFF GORE: FOREST SERVICE “CREATED A GIGANTIC PROBLEM” AT CEDAR CREEK FALLS; SEEKS JOINT SOLUTION

Teen who died at falls identified as Joseph Meram, 16, of El Cajon

Sheriff says falls will stay closed until ways are found to protect public safety

By Miriam Raftery

 

July 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A family outing turned to tragedy when Joseph Meram, 16, hiked ahead of his relatives and wandered onto the wrong trail with his cousin over the weekend. The teen plummeted over an 80-foot cliff into a swimming hole at the base of Cedar Creek Falls.

 

His death has prompted closure of the falls indefinitely--and debate over the role of government in balancing accessibility vs. safety on public lands. Now Sheriff Bill Gore speaks out on the tragedy, which occurred soon after the U.S. Forest Service improved a trail to make the site more accessible—a move Sheriff Bill Gore says was well-intentioned, but resulted in serious consequences.


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SHERIFF GORE TO SPEAK AT CHAMBER BREAKFAST AT MISSION TRAILS JULY 8

 

July 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore will speak at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Friday, July 8 from 7-9 a.m.  This month's breakfast will be held at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center.

 

 The Visitors Center is located at One Father Junipero Serra Trail in San Diego, amid the 6,200 acre Mission Trails Regional Park.

 


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COUNTY AIMS TO ROOT OUT CRIME AT PROBLEM RENTAL PROPERTIES

 

 

Jacob, Gore proposal would make safety program mandatory at troublesome spots; vote set July 13


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INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AWARD PRESENTED TO EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE BY SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS

July 9, 2010 (San Diego) – East County Magazine added another award to its growing list of honors last night at the Society of Professional Journalists awards banquet at the Bali Hai restaurant in San Diego. SPJ-San Diego presented ECM with a first-place award for investigative reporting in the daily news reporting category.


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SHERIFF GORE WINS REELECTION

 

By Miriam Raftery
Richard Darvas also contributed to this report
 

June 9, 2010 (San Diego) – By a solid 56.8% margin, Sheriff Bill Gore won reelection to another four year term. Had he received less than 50%, a run-off race in the fall would have been triggered. Gore was appointed to fill the top lawman’s spot when Sheriff Bill Kolender retired.

Gore’s handling of prominent cases including the Chelsea King murder investigation contributed to his victory. In East County, his office’s efforts to obtain grants that boosted border security may also have raised his approval among voters.


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MISSING WOMAN FOUND DEAD NEAR JULIAN

 

May 29, 2010 (Julian) -- Stephanie Brehm-McCabe, 44, was found dead May 27 n her vehicle in a remote mountain area near Julian. Cause of death has not yet been released by the coroner's office.

A resident of Santa Margarita, she had been reported missing by family on May 25.  She was last seen May 24 at approximately 8 a.m. after putting a knife to her wrist. She left in her truck, then phoned an acquaintance and left a message indicating she intended to commit suicide.

 


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EDITOR'S BLOG: WHY ISN’T IT NEWS WHEN A DEAD BODY IS FOUND IN EAST COUNTY?


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