Location: South Valley Community Church, Lemoore

Incident Date: 01/24/19

Incident Time: 1800 hours

City: Lemoore

Posted by: Media Relations

Six new Deputy Sheriffs graduated Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, from the Tulare-Kings Counties Basic Peace Officer Academy during a special ceremony at South Valley Community Church in Lemoore. 

Four are former correctional deputies at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. They are:

- Deputy Ibrahin Ramirez

- Deputy Christopher Tyson

- Deputy Juan Ramirez

- Deputy Christopher Durkee

And two were Sheriff’s Pathways Scholarship recipients. They are:

- Joseph Banda

- Abraham Sanchez

Sheriff Boudreaux created the Pathways Scholarship program, with funding from the Sence Foundation, to help college-bound Sheriff’s Explorers get an education and, after graduation, attend the police academy and become deputies in their hometowns. 

Two of our new deputies received awards during the ceremony: Dep. Durkee was given the award for Firearm for 100 percent accuracy; and Dep. Banda was recognized for Outstanding Scenario Performance. 

During the ceremony Thursday, Cpt. Chris Wenzinger gave six new badges to the deputies’ loved ones who pinned them on their uniforms. 

The Brick Award was presented by Cpt. Wenzinger to Cadet Cesar Estrada in recognition of his hard work in making a difference for others in his class. The award is sponsored by Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Foundation. 

A memorial brick is placed at the Tulare County Peace Officer Memorial in honor of Estrada. It is inscribed with the cadet’s name and Academy Class number. During the ceremony, he received another Brick Award which he took home with him. 

The criteria for one to receive the Brick Award is the display of selfless giving of themselves to others, Cpt. Wenzinger said. 

“A law enforcement officer serves everyone and you have displayed this service through your actions,” he said. 

Estrada used his experience as a veteran to guide fellow cadets through tough times as they struggled through the academy and he helped them improve their performances to succeed. He set an example for others not only in the leadership role but also by his caring and compassionate demeanor.

“You have been recognized as honorable, compassionate and caring human being,” Cpt. Wenzinger said.