Annual Report 2009 - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department

For his selfless actions to provide assistance to deputies in apprehending
a fleeing, paranoid suspect, thereby reducing the chance of injury to
deputies and the suspect, Mr. Paul Christensen was awarded the Exceptional
Citizen Award.
Sheriff’s Unit Citation
The past year saw a sharp increase in the number of deaths within our
jurisdiction. While maintaining staffing at its current level, the Coroner’s
Bureau handled a 6% increase in the number of referrals and almost a
16% increase in the number of cases investigated. In 2009 there were
14 homicides and 60 suicides countywide, both of which appear to be
record numbers. There was also a 15% increase in the number of autopsies
performed and an 8% increase in the number of cases assigned to
each investigator. On average, the Coroner’s Bureau received 6.2 cases
per day during 2009.
The Coroner’s Bureau investigates deaths throughout the county, regardless
of jurisdiction. The entire Bureau must work as a well-organized
team to fulfill their role. In addition to the detectives assigned to investigate
the circumstances of a death, the Pathologist and the Administrative
Office Professional are an essential part of the team. The Pathologist
makes a final determination as to the cause of death in each one of the
investigations, while the Administrative Office Professional is responsible
for the smooth running of the Bureau and coordinating communications
with outside agencies and the public.
In February, 2009, the entire Coroner’s Bureau was forced to perform at
maximum capacity when they responded to a single vehicle accident in
which six young people were killed when the vehicle they were traveling
in crashed and burst into flames. As a result of the complex investigation,
it was determined that the majority of the victims were foreign nationals.
This required our personnel to coordinate with foreign embassies
and families from different countries. The Coroner’s Bureau was
able to work with all of the families in a dignified and professional manner,
which brought closure to their tragic losses in a short period of time.
The Coroner’s Bureau received several calls from the foreign embassies
and families thanking them for their professionalism in dealing with this
very tragic incident.
For their professionalism and teamwork during a very difficult year,
Sergeant Gregg Weitzman, Detective Jose Alvarez, Detective John Coyle,
Detective Matthew Fenske, Detective Richard Miller II, Doctor Robert Anthony
and Administrative Office Professional Diana Gallegos were
awarded the Sheriff’s Unit Citation.
Sgt. Weitzman
Det. Alvarez Det. Coyle Det. Fenske
Det. Miller
Dr. Robert Anthony
Diana Gallegos
KEEPING THE PEACE SINCE 1850 44