HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12081987 - 2.4 a� P-/
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on December 8 , 1987 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, Torlakson, McPeak
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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SUBJECT: December 4 , 1987 Incident at Courthouse
Phil Batchelor, County Administrator, advised the Board
that in response to requests of Board members, a meeting was being
scheduled with Sheriff Richard Rainey and the Honorable Gary
Strankman, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, to review the
shooting incident which took place at the Courthouse on December 4,
1987 and to review current security procedures at the Courthouse.
Ronald Romo, husband of the victim, appeared and urged
the Board to upgrade security at the Courthouse to assure that such
incidents do not occur in the future. He expressed the opinion
that protection of the lives of employees and clients far
outweighs the cost of more stringent security.
Sheriff Richard Rainey provided an oral report to the
Board on the incident, noting that the criminal investigation was
being handled by the Martinez Police Department. He advised,
however, that his Department had conducted an investigation to
determine if the Deputy involved had acted properly. Sheriff
Rainey stated that the investigation revealed that the Deputy
followed all policies, procedures and State law. He advised that
in his opinion Deputy Cliff Davis has done an excellent job and was
to be commended for his actions.
Sheriff Rainey referred to the meeting to be held with
the County Administrator and the Presiding Judge of the Superior
Court, and noted that the decision to upgrade or make any changes
in the security procedures at the Courthouse must be determined by
the Courts.
Supervisor Robert Schroder recommended that a review be
conducted of the security procedures at all County buildings.
Barbara Herendeen, Assistant to Supervisor Fanden,
expressed the opinion, based on her personal experience, that a
"safe room" should be provided for clients in the Family Law Court.
After discussion by Board members, IT IS ORDERED that
the following actions are APPROVED:
1. ACCEPTED report from the County Administrator and
Sheriff relative to the December 4, 1987 shooting
incident at the Courthouse;
2 . REFERRED comments relative to a "safe room" waiting area
in the Courthouse to the County Administrator for
review;
3 . REQUESTED County Administrator and Sheriff to review
security in all other County buildings; and
4. REQUESTED County Administrator and Sheriff to report on
January 19 , 1988 on recommended actions related to
security requirements.
1 hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
cc: County Administrator Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
Sheriff
ATTESTED: -*-1 Z 19591
PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
By , Deputy
1
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Supervisor Nancy Fanden Contra
Costa
December 8, 1987 - -- 0
DATE= County
COMMENDATION OF DEPUTIES CLIFF DAVIS AND
SUBJECTt JEFF DEMPSEY
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Board of Supervisors commend the quick action and
professionalism of Deputies Cliff Davis and Jeff Dempsey
during the recent shooting at the County Court House.
BACKGROUND:
Friday, December 4, 1987 , in the hallway of the Superior
Court House in Martinez, a distraught man pulled out a gun
and shot and killed his exwife' s daughter.
Deputy Cliff Davis, quickly responding to the disturbance in
the hallway, confronted the gunman and shot him. Thereby
protecting the lives of innocent bystanders.
Judge Richard Flier' s Bailiff , Deputy Jeff Dempsey, upon
hearing the gun shots, was the first to arrive at the scene.
He assisted Deputy Davis in_ subduing the gunman by
covering him with his gun while- Deputy Davis handcuffed him.
These men deserve our respect and public acknowledgement of
their professional handling of a life threatening situation.
f
i
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:_ YES SIGNATUREI
- RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
- _APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON December 8, 1987 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS
ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: Deputy Cliff Davis ATTESTED
Deputy Jeff Dempsey j PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
Sheriff-Coroner SUPERVISORS AND_ COUNTY ADM_I_N_ISTRATOR
County Administrator
M302/7•83 BY VL DEPUTY