I am truly humbled and honored to receive the El Matador Grande Award at the California Contract Cities Association’s 67th Annual Municipal Seminar hosted by the City of West Hollywood.
The El Matador Grande award is the highest honor bestowed by the @contractcities . It is presented to select municipal leaders, city managers, and public servants who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, outstanding commitment, and extraordinary contributions to local control and the contract city model.
I am grateful to CCCA and truly value these partnerships. This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration, strong leadership, and a steadfast commitment to serving our communities each and every day. I look forward to continuing this important work.
Police Week Candlelight Vigil 🕯️
Department members were honored to attend the 30th Annual Police Unity Tour Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C. last night alongside law enforcement officers, survivors, and families from across the nation.
As thousands gathered under the candlelight, we paused to remember the heroes whose lives were taken in the line of duty and the families who continue to carry their legacy forward every single day. When I recited the names of our fallen heroes, Joshua R. Kelley Eckland, Victor M. Lemus, and William C. Osborn, it was as though each name was physically etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at that very moment.
The memorial is especially unique because it is designed to be “ever-changing,” with new names engraved every year during National Police Week. This year, the memorial was expanded to include even more names, honoring the 363 lives lost in 2025.
Standing together in silence and reflection was a powerful reminder that behind every name etched into the memorial is a story, a family, and a life devoted to service. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
2026 Police Unity Tour 🚲
I was very proud to be in Washington, D.C., to welcome the 2026 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Unity Tour riders as they arrived in the capital. These courageous men and women rode in with honor, strength, and dignity. But they could not have done it alone.
The support staff, which included various agencies and units, along with both active and retired members from multiple departments within Chapter 7, stood by their side every mile of the journey. The tour began in Somerset, New Jersey, and ended with a heartfelt welcome from the families of our fallen and many others who came to show their support.
The Police Unity Tour is not only a way to honor our fallen Department members, but also a way to show their families that we will forever remain an extension of their family. I wish none of us ever had to be here, but we are, and we are here for the families.
On Monday, April 27, 2026, hope and healing continued for the Altadena community as grant funding was distributed through the Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund to support survivors of the Eaton Fire. This meaningful effort was made possible through a strong partnership between Altadena Forever Run co-chairs, Altadena Sheriff’s Station Captain Ethan Marquez, Victoria Knapp, community members, and fire survivors who remain committed to Altadena’s long-term recovery.
A total of $212,000 in grants was distributed to 212 Altadena fire survivors, providing direct support to households continuing to rebuild after unimaginable loss. Of that amount, $148,000 was raised through the Altadena Forever Run, including approximately $102,000 in race proceeds from entries and sponsorships, $17,000 in donations made to fire survivors during race registration checkout, and $29,000 in direct donations made to GoFundMe during open race registration.
Altadena’s continued recovery, now well into its second year, reflects the strength of local partnerships and the shared commitment to delivering critical support to those most affected. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Athletic Association, and the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena played an important role in supporting these fundraising efforts through collaboration, leadership, and continued community engagement.
“The Altadena Forever Run is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose,” said Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “From participants and volunteers to our generous sponsors, every contribution played a role in making a real difference. These funds will go directly toward helping Eaton Fire survivors rebuild and recover, and that kind of impact speaks volumes. We’re honored to stand alongside a community that shows up for one another, and this is only the beginning.”
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Yesterday, I attended the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Helen & Joseph Sherwood Family Prize for Combating Hate – Law Enforcement Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Hosted by the Anti-Defamation League, the event brought together law enforcement agencies and community partners from across the region to recognize individuals and teams dedicated to combating hate, strengthening trust, and protecting the communities they serve.
Alongside Detective Division Chief Mendoza and Major Crimes Captain Mah I was proud to stand with Detectives Cortez and Doherty, as they were recognized for their dedication, persistence, and outstanding service. Their work reflects the very best of LASD’s commitment to public safety and to working collaboratively with our law enforcement and community partners to help ensure every person feels seen, valued, and protected.
I was honored to be invited as the keynote speaker at the California Peace Officers’ Enrollment Ceremony a solemn tribute to those who gave everything in service to others.
Today, we recognize the true meaning of this profession. Law enforcement is more than a job it is a calling defined by courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to protect our communities, no matter the cost.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said,
“There are some things so dear, some things so precious, some things so eternally true, that they are worth dying for and I submit to you that if a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”
This year, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department honors 3 of the 13 fallen officers whose names will now be forever etched on the Memorial Wall in Sacramento. Their legacy will live on in the hearts of those who continue to serve and in the communities they so selflessly protected.
Behind every badge is a family who shares in the sacrifice. The long hours, the missed holidays, and the constant worry. This job doesn’t just affect the deputy, it impacts everyone who stands beside them.
Today, we also recognize the strength of the spouses, children, and families who stand beside them through it all.
We will never forget their service. We will never forget their sacrifice.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our esteemed Lakewood Sheriff’s Station Sergeant, Theo K. Gekas, following a courageous and lengthy battle with cancer.
Sergeant Gekas was a respected leader, mentor, and friend whose dedication to service and commitment to his community left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Rest peacefully, Sergeant Gekas. We got it from here.
Thank you to @foxla for giving me the opportunity to speak directly to the community about multiple topics that encompass public safety.
During the interview, I covered the increasingly sophisticated and organized burglary tactics, including the use of hidden surveillance devices, which are being used to target victims. Bringing awareness to these trends, as well as sharing knowledge of preventative measures helps the public partner with their local law enforcement to keep their neighborhoods safe. I also discussed how I am prioritizing the modernization of the Department by focusing on the use of drones to assist our deputies across the county by identifying suspects, monitoring rapidly evolving events, and assisting with search and rescue efforts.
Additionally, the modernization of LASD will ensure greater safety and collaboration with local, state, and federal partners to assist in preparing for the upcoming large-scale international events of the World Cup and the Olympics. As those events approach, we will be focusing on ensuring the highest level of preparedness in areas such as crowd safety, infrastructure, and overall security as these complex cross-jurisdictional events occur. Emphasizing my ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and strengthening trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve will always remain a priority for me. I appreciated the chance to cover these topics and keep the public informed about the risks we face and the steps we are taking every day to protect Los Angeles County.
For the full interview, please visit Fox 11 Los Angeles or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page.
It was an honor to be invited to the Jonathan Club, Los Angeles for breakfast to speak about the current state of our county, the wonderful men and women who serve it every day, and the goals I have for our department.
I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with such a thoughtful group, answering your questions, hearing your perspectives, and having real conversations about public safety and the future of our communities.
What stood out most was the shared commitment to making our county safer, stronger, and more connected.
That only happens when we continue to work together with transparency, accountability, and trust.
Thank you again for the invitation and for taking the time to be part of the conversation.
17th Annual Thai Town New Year Festival
It was my honor to attend the 17th Annual Thai Town New Year Festival, celebrating culture, community, and tradition right here in the city of Los Angeles.
The festival included vibrant performances, incredible food, and local vendors. This event was a powerful reminder of the diversity that makes our communities strong. I was proud to stand alongside department members and a community that supports events like this, and brings people together.
#CommunityFirst #LASD
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week hits a little different when you’re standing alongside families who are still searching for justice.
I had the honor of attending the Love Hug Music Festival in San Pedro. The event is dedicated to remembering and advocating for children/adults whose lives were taken too soon. Seeing our community come together like that was powerful.
It was not just about awareness. it was about support, strength, and not letting these stories be forgotten.
Thank you to every community member who showed up, spoke out, and continues to stand with these families. Your voices matter more than you know. Several awards were presented to individuals who have gone above and beyond to bring attention to this issue and push for change. That kind of dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.
I also want to recognize our Homicide Bureau, who were honored for their relentless work. They remain steadfast in their mission doing everything in their power to bring justice to families who have lost loved ones. The work they do behind the scenes matters, and it makes a difference. We will continue to remember, continue to support, and continue to seek justice.
Earlier today, I had the honor of attending the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station 2nd Annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast alongside Palmdale Station Captain Joshua Bardon, North Patrol Commander Justin Diez, Chief Ronald Kopperud, our faith leaders, community partners, and the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
I shared that while law enforcement has many tools, we cannot do this work alone. Real change happens when we come together, setting aside differences, building trust, and standing united in service to our communities. Our strength lies in that partnership, and each of us has a role in helping bridge the gap and being that bridge for others.
I emphasized the importance of treating every member of our community with compassion and respect, especially those who are most vulnerable. While challenges may arise, we continue to communicate, learn, and move forward together.
Together, we will keep building bridges and working toward safer, stronger communities.
