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

Incident Date: 8/6/2020

Incident Time: 1400-1530 hours

City: Visalia

Posted by: Media Relations

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Chaplains awarded three $500 scholarships to children of employees at the department Thursday at Headquarters. Chaplain Nick Hilvers presented the scholarships to: 

- Garry Meek, son of TCSO Sergeant Bill Meek and Records Clerk Marina Meek. Garry, who graduated from Redwood High School, will attend California State University Channel Islands and major in Health Science. His goal is to become an NFL trainer. 

- Joseph Burciaga, son of TCSO Detective Jimmy Burciaga. His mother, Stefani Kane, is retired from a career in corrections. Joseph graduated from El Diamante High School. He will attend Reedley College and major in Criminology. He said he wants to go into law enforcement. 

- Marissa Carrillo, daughter of Sergeant Luis Carrillo and his wife, Bertha. Marissa graduated from Tulare Union High School. She will attend California State University Long Beach and major in Criminology. She wants to become a field evidence technician at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. 

Chaplain Hilvers read the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew, with special emphasis on the one that reads, “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” 

Chaplain Jose Velasco gave each recipient a Bible. Both chaplains wished them well and told them they would be praying for them as they begin college.