Temple Station Sheriff’s Deputies Go Above and Beyond

– LASD Coordinator Bill Harrington. – Photo by Terry Miller

By Terry Miller

In the wake of the negative publicity hurled at law enforcement in recent months, I challenge anyone to question the goodwill and downright benevolence of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), particularly, a couple of deputies from Temple Station.

On a blistering hot August afternoon, this reporter made a laughable error in his driving skills, hitting a curb and blowing out a tire near a local hospital. Not funny, really.

Of course, I had the spare and the jack … but alas the thing that helps raise the jack and the tools to get the lugs off the wheel were not anywhere to be seen. That’s my good old beloved Honda Civic … where everything fits in the trunk.

With the seemingly gallons of sweat dripping down my back, my frustration level poured respectively, especially when I realized I had left the cell phone in the office, prior to this little, albeit unexpectedly adventurous outing.

Landing in a precarious spot (actually a bus stop to the east of the hospital) I ventured forth looking for help or a telephone – public phones apparently are all in the Smithsonian Institute.

I managed to talk to the guard at the hospital and he let me use his phone. I called a colleague at the office and she sprang into immediate action to help.

At the same time, an LASD patrol car was in the neighborhood and pulled over to see if I needed assistance. Talk about living up to their motto … “A Tradition of Service”… and then some!

The deputies, Coordinator Bill Harrington and his partner Reserve Deputy Rudy Fierro,

seeing my level of frustration and soaking wet shirt, took matters into their own hands and after a frustrating 10 or 15 minutes or so trying to find the right tools, Harrington managed to get the car jacked-up, the wheel off, and replace with the temporary tire so I could at least move on.

Harrington, at this point was sweating a great deal also and I offered him a clean piece of clothing to wipe his brow.

Upon putting the donut on the car and lowering the jack, we noticed the air was way too low.

Would I make it safely to the gas station for air?

The deputies advised my colleague (who, by the way, provided us all with much needed water) to follow me to the gas station to ensure I was safe. She did and the deputies went on to another call … all in the line of duty.

The LASD is truly made up of dedicated professionals who really are here to help us. They should never be viewed as adversaries, ever.

In my years as a photojournalist I’ve had nothing but respect for LASD and all area local police departments.

It’s a stressful and demanding job at times for these deputies and police officers. But I think if we just once in a while show our appreciation, no matter how small … it would be most welcome.

I, for one, am going to attend the Temple Station Open House on Sept. 10 to tell the guys how much I appreciate them! Hope you can too. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is the largest sheriff’s department in the United States and provides general-service law enforcement to unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, serving as the equivalent of the county police for unincorporated areas of the county, as well as incorporated cities within the county who have contracted with the agency for law-enforcement services (known as “contract cities“).

Of the county’s 88 municipalities, 42 contract with the Sheriff’s Department to provide local police protection.

The Sheriff’s Department also holds primary jurisdiction over facilities operated by Los Angeles County, such as local parks, marinas, and government buildings; provides bailiff service for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County; operates the county jail system; and provides services, such as crime laboratories, homicide investigations, and academy training to smaller law enforcement agencies within the county.

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