Remembering Deputy Arthur E. Pelino

Deputy Pelino was shot and killed in the line of duty by a mentally deranged suspect on March 19, 1978. Deputy Pelino was assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and was working as the Resident Deputy in Gorman, which is located just north of Santa Clarita in a rural section of Los Angeles County. Deputy Pelino had arrested a mentally deranged suspect that was known to have been violent. Deputy Pelino took the suspect back to his office to start the booking process. During the booking process, the suspect started to struggle with Deputy Pelino and was able to get control of his service weapon. The suspect shot and killed Deputy Pelino. Deputy Pelino will be greatly missed, but he will never be forgotten by his Sheriff's Department family.

Deputy Pelino had been with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 21 years and was survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.

Remembering Deputy David William March

Deputy David March, assigned to Temple Sheriff's Station, was shot and killed in the line of duty at 10:39 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2002. Deputy March initiated a traffic stop near Live Oak Avenue and Peck Road, Irwindale. The driver of the vehicle got out of his car and met the deputy halfway between the patrol car and the suspect vehicle. A confrontation ensued between Deputy March and the suspect. The suspect produced a handgun and fired at Deputy March several times striking him in the upper torso.

The suspect, who was identified shortly after the shooting, fled to Mexico where he remained for 4 years. On February 23, 2006, the suspect was arrested in Mexico by US Marshals and Mexican federal agents following a joint investigation. He was extradited back to California and on March 2nd, 2007, he plead guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Deputy David March was scheduled to transfer to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and begin serving our community. His untimely death was felt by many Santa Clarita Valley residents as he resided in Santa Clarita with his family and was well known and respected in the community. Tragically and suddenly, he was taken from us just days before he was to become one of our protectors. Thousands attended his funeral services at Grace Baptist Church in Saugus. Hundreds of Santa Clarita residents lined the streets as Deputy March's motorcade procession drove by. Many of them, including small children, held signs with wonderful statements, American flags, and banners. Still others stood at attention saluting our fallen hero. I can tell you this from being there, the gratitude shown that day was like nothing I have ever seen in may career. Deputy David March will be missed by us all. We will never forget! Written in his own words before his death was Deputy David March's personal values and commitments which were simply stated, yet powerful:

My goals are simple.
I will always be painfully
honest, work as hard as I can,
learn as much as I can and
hopefully make a difference
in people's lives.
-Deputy David W. March

 

Shortly after Deputy March's death the above statement was adopted as the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Creed.

Sheriff Lee Baca stated; These words embody the values each and every one of us should strive to live for. Remember this oath, learn these simple, yet succinct words and embrace them in your daily lives. Honor the fallen heroes of this Department by conducting yourselves in accordance with the Department’s Core Values, Mission Statement and Creed.

Deputy March had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 7 years. He is survived by his wife and stepdaughter.