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In This Issue...
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Sheriff's Office Announces One Retirement and a Series of Promotions
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Sheriff's Office Announces One Retirement and a Series of Promotions
By Santa Cruz Sheriff Phil Wowack
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is having a "changing of the guard" at the beginning of March. Long-time lawman Chief Deputy Terry Parker will retire from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office on March 5.
Chief Parker has served in the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for more than 33 years and for four different sheriffs. Chief Parker has held positions in almost every division of the Sheriff's Office. Hired by former Sheriff Al Noren, Parker began his career as a deputy in 1976. He held positions as a patrol deputy, bailiff, training officer, and he had many tours as a detective in narcotics investigations.
Parker also served a lengthy time as a deputy on SWAT.
Chief Parker was promoted by former Sheriff Noren to the rank of sergeant in 1988. Parker held positions as a patrol supervisor, corrections supervisor and many tours as a narcotics enforcement supervisor. He became a county-wide expert in narcotics investigation and is still a recognized court expert on the topic. Retired Sheriff Mark Tracy promoted Parker to the rank of lieutenant in 1995. As a lieutenant he held positions in patrol, corrections and as the commander of the investigation division. Retired Sheriff Steve Robbins promoted Parker to the rank of chief deputy in 2005.
As the chief deputy of operations for the last five years, Parker has been present for every major natural disaster, every major planned event and nearly every critical incident. Chief Parker has shown amazing dedication to the Sheriff's Office and for the community we serve.
Chief Parker will be missed by all of our staff and we wish him a long and healthy retirement.
Marsh Promoted
Jeff Marsh will be promoted to the rank of Chief Deputy to replace Chief Parker. Chief Marsh is 48 years old and has spent the last 26 years in law enforcement. Before coming to Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office he served four years with the Fremont Police Department and Santa Clara County Transit District Protective Services.
He joined the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff in 1988 and held positions in patrol, court security, gang enforcement team, administration (personnel and training) and detective in crime scene investigation (CSI). He was promoted to sergeant in 1999 and held positions as a community policing supervisor and a detective sergeant in CSI. Marsh was promoted to lieutenant in 2005 and has held positions in the operations division and in corrections (Main Jail).
Chief Marsh attended Chico State and San Jose State Universities. He is a graduate of Sherman Block Leadership Academy and is currently finishing his undergraduate studies at Union University and Institute. He is scheduled to complete a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice in April. Upon promotion, Marsh will be assigned to the Sheriff's Corrections Bureau as the chief of corrections.
Shea Johnson will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant following Marsh's promotion. Lt. Johnson is 36 years old and has spent the last 15 years in law enforcement. Before coming to Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office she served one-and-a-half years with the Capitola Police Department as a reserve officer and community service officer.
Johnson joined the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff in 1994 and has held positions in patrol, court security bailiff, D.A.R.E. instructor, background investigator in recruiting and hiring, and detective in sexual assault investigations. Johnson was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and has held positions as a patrol supervisor and a community policing sergeant. Johnson is also a leader on the Sheriff's Crisis Negotiation Team and a Leader on the Sheriff's Peer Support Staff.
Lt. Johnson is a graduate of Aptos High School.
She graduated from Cabrillo College in Aptos and went on to attend San Jose State University where she earned a bachelor of arts in political science and a master's degree in public administration.
Johnson is an active member of Santa Cruz Rotary as well as a member of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Women in Business and the Association of Women Leaders in Law Enforcement. Upon promotion, Lt. Johnson will be assigned to the Sheriff's Corrections Bureau, Main Jail.
Mitchell (Mitch) Medina will be promoted to the rank of sergeant following Johnson's promotion.
Sgt. Medina is 39 years old and has been in law enforcement for the last 18 years. Prior to coming to Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office, Medina served with the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD). At SCPD he held positions as a reserve officer, community service officer, police officer, field training officer, detective investigating property, juvenile and persons crimes and he also held a position as a sergeant in patrol.
Sgt. Medina joined the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 2006. Since that time he has held positions in patrol, court security bailiff, and field training officer. Medina is also a member of the Sheriff's SWAT team and he is a certified defensive tactics instructor.
Sgt. Medina is a graduate of Harbor High School. Medina attended Cabrillo College in Aptos where he earned an associate of arts degree in criminal justice.
Sgt. Medina is a member of the Sheriff's Labor Relations Team and the uniform committee. Medina is a past member of the Santa Cruz County child death review board and the SCPD chief's advisory committee.
Medina is an active member of Santa Cruz Little League where he has been a volunteer and coach since 1999. Upon promotion, Medina will be assigned to the Sheriff's Operations Bureau, Patrol Division.
I am extremely proud of these promotions and the individual achievements of Chief Marsh, Lt. Johnson and Sgt. Medina. Our office will hold a promotional ceremony for those promoted and their friends and family on Mar. 8 at Cabrillo College.
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