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Police Officer / Traffic Motor Officer Mark L. Graf

California Peace Officer

(Retired)

Injured On Duty

IN REMEMBRANCE

We Shall Never Forget

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

May They All Rest In Gods Peaceful Arms

Current:

1998 - Present
Director for Public Safety Training Programs at Bakersfield College, Bakersfield California. Bakersfield College Public Safety include: Law Enforcement training in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, Fire Technology. As well as the STC Correctional Programs in partnership with the North Kern Training Center.

Military Career

United States Army. 1974 -1977 (Four Years)

Two and half years Overseas: Tours of Duties: West Berlin, Berlin Brigade, 287^th MP Co. Security Platoon. Third Infantry Division, 3^rd MP Co. 571^st MP Co. Seventh Infantry Division. (Light Infantry Division.)

Military Awards:

United States Army:

United States Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Good Conduct Medal, Berlin Occupational Medal, National Defense Medal. To view US Army Commendation Medal for Valor: Go to the bottom of the page.

Foreign Military Awards: West German Army Shooting Medal in Bronze.

Law Enforcement

Overview

Santa Barbara County

Santa Maria Police

A sworn Peace Officer for approximately twenty years. Extensive training and experience in Special Weapons and Tactics, (SWAT). Advanced certification in Scuba Diving and Rescue Diving. F.B.I trained combat shooting instructor. In 1985 was Awarded the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department's, H. Thomas Guerry "Medal for Valor"

(See Valor Citation below)

Certified California Motorcycle Safety Program Instructor. Motorcycle Officer, Traffic Officer: Extensive training and investigations of traffic collisions. Advanced California Peace Officer Standards in Training, (P.O.S.T.) Certificate # A20253. Completed the intensive course in California for the P.O.S.T. Master Instructor Development Program, Class Four.

Member of the United States Parachute Association, Static Jumps and Freefall, USPA Number # 73989. Member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors P.A.D.I. Certificate # 17980 (SCUBA), Advanced International Open Water Diver.

Mutual Aid /Civil Unrest Deployment

Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP); Eureka CA. Humboldt County. 7 day deployment. Assigned as a door gunner in our Huey's for protection for our inserted teams as well as from ground fire (small arms fire / weapons) from the marijuana growers. Several thousand pounds of Marijuana was seized.

Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. 4 day deployment: Anti-MX Missile Demonstration. Several hundred arrested.

Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Port San Luis Obispo. CA. 12 day deployment: Anti-Nuclear Power Demonstration. Several hundred arrested.

Mid-Air aircraft collision San Luis Obispo, CA. 4 day deployment: Mid-Air aircraft collision involving a small private plane and a Commercial turbo prop aircraft. Assisted with the crash site and recovery of the twenty nine (29) victims. Recipient of the San Luis Sheriffs Department "Meritorious Service Award"

Los Angeles CA: LA Riots, 7 day deployment: Hawthorne, Compton area: Los Angeles. Recipient of City of Hawthorne "Meritorious Service Award"

Citation

Medal for Valor

H. T H O M A S G U E R R Y

AWARD FOR VALOR

Sheriff's Deputy

Mark L. Graf

Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department

"On September 30, 1984 Deputies Mark Graf and Ralph Swasey responded with other members of the North County Special Enforcement Team to a call of a mentally disturbed person holding a hostage at the Riverside trailer park in Buellton, California.

The sequence of events required Deputies Graf and Swasey to make a crisis entry into the trailer in an attempt to rescue the hostage. As Deputy Graf entered the trailer, he was confronted by an armed man just a few feet away. Holding his fire, he sought cover and while doing so, located the victim in a bedroom. There he took up a defensive position. When Deputy Swasey attempted entry he also saw the armed man. He quickly jumped from the trailer and took up a defensive position at the doorway to protect Deputy Graf. Deputy Graf then radioed he was trapped, but that the hostage was safe. In order to get the victim out without the use of firearms, he called for a diversionary device to be used.

As the device went off, the armed suspect began to advance upon the officers with his pistol extended and aimed in a firing position. To protect both the victim and themselves, Officer Graf used his weapon, which resulted in the exchange of gunfire with the suspect and subsequent fatal gunshot wounds to the suspect . As a result of their actions, the victim was rescued unharmed.

Both deputies represent the finest the Sheriff's Department has to offer by the way they conducted themselves, even at the risk of their own lives. Their primary concern was for the safe extraction of the hostage. The manner in which they handled this extremely stressful situation speaks highly of their character, bravery and level of training.

Mark Graf has been a Sheriff's Deputy since 1979. Along with his duties as a member of the Special Enforcement Team, Mark is one of the team leaders of the Underwater Search and Recovery Team. In addition, he is an instructor at Allan Hancock College.

In recognition for his act of bravery in the face of this life threatening situation the Santa Barbara Citizens' Council on Crime is proud to award to Mark Graf the 1985 H. Thomas Guerry Award for Valor."

Professional Career:

U. S. Army Military Police Officer serving in West Berlin and West Germany as well as Stateside.
In 1978 became a Peace Officer in the State of California. Employed as a Deputy Sheriff with the County of Santa Barbara. Assignments included: Jail, Court, Patrol, Field Training Officer, Detective, specializing in death investigations, Team leader for the North County (SCUBA) Underwater Dive and Recovery Team and a member of the Special Emergency Team assigned as the first member of the entry team.

During this seven year tenure with the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department, was awarded the "Meritorious Service Award" and was the first Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff in the history of Santa Barbara County to be the recipient of the "Medal for Valor". This was awarded as the result of a Hostage rescue by an armed suspect which resulted in the exchange of gunfire with the suspect and subsequent fatal gunshot wounds to the suspect and the rescue of the Hostage unharmed.

In 1985 became employed as a Police Officer with the Santa Maria Police Department. During this nine and half years with Santa Maria, assignments included: Patrol, Field Training Officer, Special Emergency Response Team, (SWAT), Gang Suppression detail and the Traffic Bureau, assigned as a Motor Officer.

During this tenure in law enforcement, has provided training to numerous officers and students in the advancement of their careers. Currently possesses a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management with an emphasis on training and career development. Bachelors Degree in Psychology with an emphasis on counseling and training, both from Chapman University.
Has a Life time Community College Service Instructional Certificate and has obtained several P.O.S.T. certifications.

In 1982 to present was employed as an instructor within the California Community College, providing law enforcement training, instruction, career development in law enforcement academies; a Recruit Training Officer / Instructor contributing to the evaluation, career and personal development of the students; and Associate Faculty member in the Administration of Justice degree program, providing career and academic guidance to those enrolled in college course work.

By virtue of his advanced work experience in law enforcement has, on several occasions, had the honor of providing Presidential Security Protection for President Ronald Reagan, as well as Vice President Dan Quayle and assisted with the Executive Protection of the Queen of England.

1994, Honorable Retired , Injured on duty.

1998. Selected and appointed as the Director for Public Safety Training Programs at Bakersfield College, Bakersfield California. Bakersfield College Public Safety Programs include: Law Enforcement training, pre-service (Academies) and in-service training in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, to include, Fire Technology Programs and Correctional Programs.

Published Articles and Projects Developed

Master Instructor Development Program, California Peace Officer's Standard and Training. The program provides instruction for the systemic approach to assess and develop training needs. A fifty week course, He was one of sixty instructors nominated to attend. This was a "Train the Trainer" course and the project was for police motorcycle instructors titled: "Law Enforcement
In Service Motorcycle Instructors Course". September 1997

"The Tactical Edge", Cover page. Article. "Development of the Santa Maria Police Department's Special Emergency Response Team" (SWAT). Fall 1988

Developed, authored and implemented the "Santa Maria Police Department's Special Emergency Response Team" (SWAT). He was responsible for the need assessment, selection requirements, testing, equipment selection, policy and procedures guidelines, and the on-going training needs and requirements of the ten officer team. 1985-1986

Developed, authored and implemented the "Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department's Underwater Search and Recovery (SCUBA) Dive Team". He was responsible for the selection requirements, physical and medical testing requirements, training, policy and procedures, safety and team leadership for the twelve officer and civilian members. 1983-1985