Star Supporter & CSI Partner - Wells Fargo Bank & Jack Toan and Matt Regan

Wells Fargo employs more than 3,000 team  members in Orange County, serves customers   from 90 financial services stores across the county and last year contributed more than $2.5 million to more than 325 Orange county non-profits.  Wells Fargo has been ranked among 2007/2008 Best Companies to Work For in Orange County by OC Metro Magazine and tied for second place for Best Place to Work in Orange County in the Orange County Register’s 14th annual Best of Orange County.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $575 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through almost 6,000 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the U.S., and one of

only two banks worldwide, to have the highest credit rating from both Moody’s Investors Service, “Aaa,” and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “AAA.”

Crime Survivors would like to also honor and recognize Jack Toan and Matt Regan for going “Above and Beyond” for Crime Survivors

2008 Award Recipient - Robin Shirakawa

Investigator Shirakawa is 17 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department.  During her career as an Investigator, Robin has worked and excelled in the Economic Crimes and Domestic Violence units.  Due to Robin’s experience, judgment and investigative skills, she was selected to work in the Sex Crimes unit last year.

In October of 2006, Robin was assigned as the case agent on a “stranger rape” case.  The victim was attacked and choked while on the her job at a hotel.  The assault was so severe that the victim lost consciousness.  When the victim awoke, the suspect had fled and the victim realized she had been sexually assaulted.

Robin escorted the victim to the hospital, where DNA evidence was collected, and remained with the victim and ensured her that every resource available would be used to bring the suspect to justice.  Robin followed dozens of leads generated from her own efforts and from tips from the community.    Finally, in October of 2007, Robin received a break in the case.  Two other asphyxiation and sexual assault cases in Costa Mesa and Anaheim were linked through DNA. Anaheim PD had leads on an individual that closely matched the composites Robin had produced.

Due to a strong reasonable suspicion that this individual was the suspect in these four cases, the suspect was taken into custody in the interest of public safety.  Robin interviewed the suspect and obtained a DNA sample from him positively linking the suspect’s DNA to the four previous crimes.  With this forensic evidence, the DA’s Office accepted and filed the case.  The suspect is currently incarcerated in the Orange County jail facing charges on the rapes and murder.

2008 Award Recipient - Myrna Caballero

Investigator Myrna Caballero is a 20 year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Divisions Sex Crimes Unit where she is responsible for investigating highly sensitive and delicate sexual assault on children and adults. 

Myrna was tasked with investigating a sexual assault case involving a victim who had been sexually assaulted by her step-father for over 20 years.  Myrna met with and comforted the victim on several occasions and ensured her that she would make every effort to bring closure to the case while maintaining her confidentiality and confidence.  After building this rapport, the victim was empowered to proceed with the investigation, resulting in Myrna obtaining evidence proving the suspect’s guilt and corroborated the victim’s statements.

The suspect has been taken into custody and is awaiting trial.  Because of Myrna’s efforts and her compassion for the victim, the victim has now begun the healing process and is moving on with her life.  Myrna is to be commended for her daily efforts in this case and others she investigates.

2008 Award Recipient - Tracy Morris

Investigator Tracy Morris is an 18 year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  Tracy is currently assigned to the Criminal investigations Division-Sex Crimes unit and is being awarded for her success in a “stranger rape” case.

The victim, a 24 year old female was brutally raped while stranded on a freeway after a car accident. The suspect was a local resident posing as a Good Sameritan.

Inv. Morris used all of her investigative skills to bring this case to a quick resolution.  With the help of the victim, who had used her survival skills to provide clues, Morris had identified a potential suspect within 72 hours of the crime.  Morris obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s home and vehicle and recovered items and other physical evidence linking this individual to the crime, and the suspect taken into custody.  By the next day, the individual arrested was positively linked to the crime by DNA evidence.  The suspect is in custody facing a potential life sentence.

Tracy showed great compassion for the victim resulting in the disclosure of critical information.  Tracy maintained contact with the victim after the initial meeting to ensure for her physical and mental well being and is to be commended for her sound investigative practices and for bringing a quick resolution to this “stranger rape” case.

2008 Award Recipient - Jeff Brown

Investigator Jeff Brown is a 21 year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  Jeff has held a variety of positions and is currently assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit where he is responsible for investigating highly sensitive and delicate sexual assault on children and adults.  In addition, Jeff develops and presents courses on child safety to various civic groups in Orange County, including courses dedicated to parents protecting their children from internet predators.

Earlier this year, Jeff was assigned to investigate a case where a convicted sex offender had embedded himself with a single mother of two.  Jeff recovered evidence indicating the suspect had sexually assaulted a minor female victim.  Since this case is still being adjudicated, specifics can be disclosed.  However, Jeff conducted a very thorough investigation and recovered evidence from the suspect’s computer that showed his guilt.  Apparently, the suspect had assaulted the victim while she slept and she was unaware of the assaults. 

Due to Jeff’s excellent investigative skills and knowledge of convicted sex offenders, he was able to present an air tight case to the DA’s office who filed a number of felony charges.  The suspect is still in custody facing life in prison.  Jeff is to be commended for his efforts in this investigation which uphold the highest traditions of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

2008 Award Recipient - Eric Kaesman

Investigator Eric Kaesman is a 24 year law enforcement veteran.  Eric began his career in law enforcement with the Stanton Police Department and is currently assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit where he is responsible for investigating highly sensitive and delicate sexual assault on children and adults. 

Eric has handled a number of significant cases this year including taking a serial rapist into custody who had been preying on intoxicated women in southern Orange County.  He was originally arrested by a local agency but no charges were filed since these types of cases are traditionally difficult to corroborate.  Shortly after the first assault, the suspect was identified as the suspect in another rape with similar circumstances.  The suspect was taken into custody and eventually released on bail.

While out on bail, the suspect committed a third rape. Eric conducted a thorough investigation and believing that there were more victims, distributed a press release which helped identify four additional victims.  The suspect is now facing life in prison.

Due to Eric’s excellent investigative skills and by going the extra mile to locate and identify additional victims, this sexual predator has been taken off of the streets and is no longer a threat to the public. 

2008 Award Recipient - Cindy Nagamatsu Hanlon

Cindy is state certified as both a domestic violence victim advocate and a sexual assault victim advocate, and is a tireless worker that has made significant contributions in her community for victims of domestic and violent crimes.  She lobbied for several years to establish a working partnership with one of the major domestic violence shelters in Orange County, which resulted in having an in-house shelter advocate at their department who works closely with their domestic violence investigators in assisting victims as well as providing awareness and prevention presentations for their community.  Cindy is often the first person called for advice, resources and/or referrals for crime victims.  She often goes in person to spend time with the victims to offer comfort, resources and encouragement, and providing counseling about the reporting process. She often remains with the victim after calling an officer out to take a report so that she can provide a supportive presence for them during what is often the most difficult first step. 

Cindy created her department’s assistance outreach for victims of crimes against property (i.e. residential burglary), a program that utilizes her Department’s police volunteers who offer free home security inspections, initiation of Neighborhood Watches, and crime prevention tips and resources. 

Lastly, Cindy founded and facilitates two community outreach programs that offer hope, encouragement, assistance and empowerment to individuals and families that have experienced some type of violence in their lives.  She donates her personal time to this wonderful cause.

2008 Award Recipient - David Barr Jr.

While assigned as a fraud detective, David Barr led the investigation of two exceptional cases of elderly fraud and abuse.  Detective Barr was able to bring the perpetrators to justice while showing great compassion to these victims, offering them encouragement and training so they will not become victims again. In fact, his work was so highly regarded he received a letter of commendation from one of the victim’s attorney, a seasoned federal prosecutor.  The details of the cases are as follows:

In February 2007 a report was filed with the Seal Beach Police Department indicating that an elderly Leisure World resident had over $111,000 dollars taken from them by a “trusted” family friend.  During the course of the investigation it was determined that the actual loss was well over $350,000 over a period of 7 years.  The suspect assisted the victim in rewriting the victim’s Living Trust naming himself as the Sole Trustee and heir to the estate.  The suspect was ultimately arrested, convicted and sentenced to State Prison.

In October 2007 a report was filed with the Seal Beach Police Department indicating that an elderly Leisure World resident had given over $16,000 to a care giver hired by the victim after a recent hospital stay.  During the course of the investigation it was determined that the actual loss was over $50,000 and multiple care givers were involved. As a result of the quick reporting by the victim’s attorney, all of the victim’s money was ultimately returned and no permanent loss was suffered.  Due to the swift return of the victim’s money and property and extenuating circumstances no prosecution was initiated. 

2008 Award Recipient - Ray Keith

On May 22, 2007 the UC Irvine Police Department was notified that the Irvine police Department discovered the bodies of a UCI student’s father and sister murdered in a park about one mile away from UCI campus. The student’s mother was found critically wounded at their residence in Anaheim, which had been set on fire. At the time of this tragic event, it was unclear if the UCI student was in any immediate danger due to the violent nature of the crime and the proximity of the crime scene o the UCI campus, where the student resided.

UCIPD, in close coordination with UCI Administration, quickly acted to provide the surviving student with resources. Ofc. Keith was the first police officer to respond to provide the student protection. Ofc. Keith took the lead role in coordinating the 24-hour protection detail, which the student voluntarily accepted. Ofc. Keith’s professionalism and empathy set the stage for a safe and compassionate environment for the student to begin her grieving process. In addition, Officer Keith provided numerous hours with partner officers to provide the student with 24 hour protection enabling her to continue her academic endeavors in a safe manner.

Ofc. Keith’s efforts and good judgment are an example of the dedication and professionalism displayed by a committed and experienced UCI police officer. I strongly recommend Officer Keith for the Crime Survivors Award for his devotion in making sure the security of the campus community remained at the highest level, while also taking into consideration the individual security of the student.

2008 Award Recipient - Amy Quiroz

Amy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from CSUSB, as well Intermediate and Advanced Certificates from the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.  In 2006 she was the recipient of the Laurence J. Stein award for investigative excellence and in February 2008 received the Meritorious Service Award for her outstanding investigative work during 2007.

Det. Quiroz is the senior CAP detective in the Portola area.  She is both an informal leader and subject matter expert.  Her expertise has been honed through working several homicides, in addition to several other significant CAP cases.    With her experience and knowledge, she is often a resource for other detectives and patrol officers.  She has demonstrated outstanding initiative, and has been able to readily adapt to what is a fluid and dynamic caseload.

Det. Quiroz investigations often take her into the community where she does an outstanding job representing the department.  She trains CSP personnel in homicide response, and educates children and their parents in child safety and child sexual abuse.   She is compassionate and professional and exhibits a sincere interest in the problems and viewpoints of others.

Det. Quiroz was personally responsible for significant and successful case investigations during 2007, resulting in the rapid apprehension and arrest of suspects