Location: Sheriff's Headquarters, 833 S. Akers St., Visalia

Incident Date: 2/9/18

Incident Time: 0900 hours

City: Visalia

Posted by: Media Relations

Sheriff Mike Boudreaux promoted four personnel, including Cpt. Rob Schimpf, Lt. Jon Brown, Sgt. Bill Meek and Sgt. Chad Bruce, during a special ceremony Feb. 9, 2018 at Sheriff’s Headquarters in Visalia.

Each position is difficult to achieve, Sheriff Boudreaux said. Many candidates competed for these demanding positions. 

“I truly enjoy being able to promote them to the next level,” he said. “Many thanks to their families for supporting them.”

In front of a standing room only crowd at Sheriff’s Headquarters, family members pinned new badges on their loved one’s uniforms. When asked to speak, the newly promoted Captain, Lieutenant and Sergeants each thanked the Sheriff for the career opportunity and their families for their support.

Lt. Brown expressed his gratitude.

“I want to thank my wife, Tricia, for being my rock during all of my call outs and thanks to my kids for waiting for me to come home,” he said. 

Cpt. Schimpf talked about the meaning behind the Sheriff’s Motto “We will…be the difference.”

“There is no ‘they.’ There is no ‘them,’” he said. “Without the ‘we,’ we can’t do anything. We’re in this together.”

Sheriff Boudreaux offers his sincere congratulations to Cpt. Schimpf, Lt. Brown, Sgt. Meek and Sgt. Bruce. He wishes them well in their new assignments.

Cpt. Rob Schimpf is from Visalia and graduated from Golden West High School in 1992. After high school, he had a career in the United States Army as a combat medic and pharmacy specialist before he was hired at the Sheriff’s Office. 

He began his law enforcement career with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in 2000 in the Patrol Division, assigned to the Orosi Substation. He rose through the ranks and throughout his 18 years with the department, he’s worked in Agricultural Crimes, Crimes Against Persons, Detentions, Headquarters Patrol, Night Watch Commander, Employee and Public Relations Unit, Emergency Services where he served as the County’s Search and Rescue and Mutual Aide Coordinator. 

Cpt. Schimpf lives in Visalia with his wife, Marlena, and their two sons and daughter. He is incredibly passionate about coaching sports, mentoring local youth and enjoying time with his family.  Additionally, Cpt. Schimpf enjoys outdoor activities such as cycling, backpacking and scuba diving.

Lt. Jon Brown was hired at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Services Officer in 1994 at the Bob Wiley Detention Facility. Throughout his 24-year tenure, he’s served in Detentions, Patrol, Internal Affairs, Technical Division and Cyber Forensic Investigations. 

Additionally, he’s served as a supervisor of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team as well as the Swiftwater Dive Rescue Team. 

Lt. Brown has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He was named Officer of the Year in 2005 by the Tulare County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and in 2017 by the Latino Peace Officers Association.

He enjoys hiking, boating and scuba diving. He is supported by his wife of 30 years, Tricia, and four grown children.

Sgt. Bill Meek began his public service career as a youngster tagging along after his father, a volunteer firefighter out of the fire station in Farmersville. In 1989, Sgt. Meek was hired by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer, assigned to Road Camp and, later, the Bob Wiley Detention Facility.

During his career at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, he’s also worked in Patrol, the Crime Lab, North End Investigations and he was most recently assigned as an Office in Charge (Corporal) for the Visalia Substation Patrol Unit.

Sgt. Meek is supported by his wife, Marina, an emergency dispatcher for the Sheriff’s Office, and their daughter and son.

Sgt. Chad Bruce grew up in Tulare County and graduated from Orosi High School in 1998. He started his career in law enforcement at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in 2002 at the Main Jail.

During his career at the Sheriff’s Office, he’s worked in Detentions, Patrol, South End Gang Violence Suppression, North End Investigations, the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Unit and SWAT.

In 2017, he transferred back to Patrol at the Orosi Substation as an Officer in Charge (Corporal) and a Field Training Officer. 

Sgt. Bruce is supported by his wife of 19 years, Adriana, their four children and one grandson. He and his wife volunteer at the Orange Cove animal shelter where they help rescue and place animals.