2006 Chandler Competition

Twenty Orange County Sheriff's Explorers spent the second weekend in January in Chandler, Arizona, competing in the 2006 Law Enforcement Explorer Tactical Competition. Post Coordinator Deputy Dan Daniels (Community Services Division) and Post Advisors Deputy James W. Davis (Harbor Division), Deputy Ray Botta (Musick Jail), and Dispatch Supervisor Karen Daly (ECB), accompanied the Explorers on their journey. The Sheriff's team competed against over 800 explorers from Explorer Posts throughout the nation. Due to the excellent training from S.W.A.T. Deputies Chris Ledbetter, Dean Weckerle and Travis Unholz and Deputy Dave Hartman from the Tactical Training Center, Explorer Post 449 took a first place trophy in the Tubular Assault (Hijacking scenario on a real C-130 aircraft); the most sought after and prestigious trophy at the competition. Post 449 also took a third place trophy in the High Risk Warrant Entry (Warrant service on drug house with a meth lab inside). In the Male Obstacle Course event, Explorer Alex Sweredoski earned first place and Explorer Alan Cleveland took second, overall. Please join in congratulating the following Explorers, who proudly and very capably represented our department:

• Dan Grijalva
• Alex Sweredoski
• Matt Padilla
• Tom Perkins
• Tyler Wolk
• Zachary Kamel
• Chris Baeumler
• Jessica Ortega
• Carl Dossland
• Ryan McInnis
• Mike Grijalva
• Alan Cleveland
• Francisco Aponte
• Jonathon Bron
• Steven Burnett
• Yanira Rojo
• Blanca Guerrero
• Miguel Muro
• Jose Preciado
• Eric Gonzales

Explorer Post 449 would like to thank the following Sheriff's personnel for their assistance with the finances, training, travel arrangements and equipment necessary for this competition.

• Captain Dave Wilson - Community Services Division Commander
• Captain Christine Murray - North Operations Division Commander
• Captain Dan Martini - Training Division
• Lieutenant Tom Slayton - Community Services Division
• Lieutenant Roger Neumeister - Community Services Division - Hostage Negotiations
• Lieutenant James Lazzaro - SWAT & Transportation Bureau
• Sergeant Kirk Antes, Deputy Dan Meyers & Deputy Terry Stepp - Transportation Bureau
• Sergeant Tom Giffin & Deputy Dave Hartman - Tactical Training Center
• Sergeant Paul Fuzzard - Orange County Transit Authority
• Deputy Chris Ledbetter, Deputy Travis Unholz & Deputy Dean Weckerle - SWAT
• Office Supervisor Karen Waters & Office Specialists Cathy Paneque, Vicki Riechardt, & Cherlyn Bullington -Community Services Division
• Accounting Assistant Kathy Hayes - Travel Desk/Financial
• Analyst Kathy Douglas - ASR's/Grants - Financial/Administrative Services

Explorer Post 449 would like to thank the Oakley Corporation for letting the Explorers train in their warehouse in Foothill Ranch. We would especially like to thank Vance Loman (Director of Legal/Security, Don Porter (Security Manager) and Adam Shuck (Security Lead) of Oakley for arranging the use of the facility.

Explorer Post 449 would also like to thank the 5.11 Company for donating the black tactical gear (Tactical pants, shirts and vests) for the Explorers to wear at the competition. Explorer Post 449 would like to give a special thank you to Explorer Francisco Aponte for arranging the generous donation from 5.11.