On April 18, 2015, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Explorer POST 457 hosted its first Regional Training Day. Event participates included the Elk Grove Police Department Explorer POST 625 and Roseville Police Department Explorer POST 108. This event was a HUGE success, with over 125 participants.

Explorers participated in four training event scenarios giving each explorer the opportunity to test their skills in real life situations.

Tubular assaults (mass transit bus assault)
Explorers practiced a safe way to approach a bus with suspect(s) and victim(s) on board. A plan was established by the team to safely enter the bus, contact suspect(s) and remove victim(s), along with understanding the basic operations of a standard bus.

Officer Down
Explorers were instructed on officer rescues during a building entry when an officer is injured or assaulted during contact with suspect(s). Explorers determine the best coverage, thinking under stress and removal of the downed officer to the safest location, while providing cover or contact with suspect(s).

Felony Traffic Stop
Explorers were instructed on proper felony traffic stops, communication with other explorers to convey a successful outcome of removing suspect(s) from the vehicle, covering fellow explorers and properly searching once all suspect/subjects have been removed from the vehicle.

Building Clearing
Explorers responded to a potentially dangerous domestic situation, with armed suspect(s). Explorers were tasked with officer safety, recognition of criminal activity, and situation resolution all while engaging with Special Impact Munitions (SIM) training systems for a realistic environment.

Special thanks to El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini and Undersheriff Randy Peshon, El Dorado County Sheriff Explorer Advisors, El Dorado County Sheriff SWAT Team, El Dorado County Special Enforcement Detail (SED) Team, Department of Corrections SSU Team and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for organizing an outstanding experience for the Explorers that participated in this year’s Regional Training Day. Thank you to all advisors from other agencies, volunteers, instructors and sponsors who helped make this regional training day possible. Plans are already underway for the EDSO Explorer Regional Training Day 2016.

Event sponsors – Sierra Gun Exchange, Kitchell construction, El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jujitsu, Foothill 7 TV and Dynamic Designs.

The Explorer Post is able to compete in and travel to these types of events with the help of donations from the public, and a lot of hard work the post puts into community service and fundraising.

Law enforcement explorer post programs are sponsored by their affiliated law enforcement agency and Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. It is a career education program for young men and women who are 14 (completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old. Exploring’s purpose is to provide experience that helps young people mature and prepare to become responsible and caring adults.

Explorers are ready to investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities. Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Local community organizations initiate a specific Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The goal of the Sheriff’s Office Explorer program is to help youths pursue and further their special interest in Law Enforcement.

If you are interested in becoming an Explorer or if you would like to support our POST through a donation please contact an Advisor at 530-642-4733 or email explorers@edso.org, www.service-life.com/ca/edso

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has the capability to utilize “Reverse 9-1-1”. This means that the Sheriff’s Office can geographically choose a specific area to send out an emergency message to all business and residents within the area. This tool is only used for emergency purposes such as: wild land fires or other hazards.

Note: Landlines and businesses are automatically registered in the 9-1-1 system. This self registration tool is for cellular and VOIP lines only. There is no need to register your landline telephone.

Anyone can create an account and register their address in the Reverse 9-1-1 system by following these steps:

1) Go to the El Dorado County Website https://www.edcgov.us/

2) Select “Alert Notification System” icon link on the right side of the page:

3) A notice window opens stating you are leaving the website. Select “ok”

4) Select “Register your Phone”:

5) A new page opens. Complete the registration by entering your name, address, and contact information. Once completed, a map on the right side of the page will place a marker where your address is located.

6) Once completed select “register”. If you provided an email address, a confirmation email will be sent to that account. Open the email and click the link to finish the registration process.

*Tip: You can register 2 phones per account. Unlimited accounts can be registered to any address. Therefore, if you have multiple phones/multiple people at one address, simply create additional accounts.

*Tip: If the program states it “cannot find your address”, refresh the page (F5) and this will usually fix the problem by automatically loading the map viewer.

For additional information: Contact Deputy Jamey Morgan at 530-621-5131 morganj@edso.org or Deputy Todd Crawford at 530-621-7660 crawfordt@edso.org

Lt. Tom Murdoch

On 05/18/15 members of the El Dorado Gang Enforcement Detail, often referred to as EDGE, contacted several gang members at their homes. Participating in the operation were members of the Sheriff’s Office, El Dorado County Probation, El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, and South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

At about 1:00 PM, EDGE Officers went to an apartment off of Schnell School Road in Placerville to serve an arrest warrant on 42 year-old Charles Sinclair. At the residence, several BB guns were recovered. All had been modified to look like real firearms. Sinclair was taken into custody for the warrant and transported to the El Dorado County Jail.

At about 3:30 PM, EDGE Officers contacted 30 year-old Fabio Soto at his residence in the 4700 block of Patterson Drive in Diamond Springs. During a search, illegal drugs were located. Soto was arrested for possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics for sale, and felonious criminal conduct by a gang member. He is still in custody at the Jail.

At about 4:00 PM, EDGE Officers contacted 33 year-old Jessie Mercado in his room in an apartment complex in the 300 block of Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs. Mercado was arrested and booked into the County Jail on possession of narcotics and paraphernalia charges. He is still in custody.

At about 7:55 PM, EDGE Officers went to a residence in the 3000 block of Omo Ranch Road in Mount Aukum to serve an arrest warrant on 35 year-old Dana Franklin. On their arrival, Franklin fled from the barn on foot. Deputies tracked Franklin to a neighbor’s storage unit. Inside the unit they found Franklin and took him into custody without incident. He was transported and booked into the El Dorado County Jail where he is still in custody without bail.

Lt. Tom Murdoch

Booking photo of Charles Sinclair

Booking photo of Fabio Soto

Booking photo of Jessie Mercado

Booking photo of Dana Franklin