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ED PRIETO, SHERIFF-CORONER

Sheriff Edward G. Prieto joined the California Highway Patrol in 1968 and retired after 31 years of service when he was elected Sheriff-Coroner of Yolo County.  During his 41 years of service, he has worked every rank, from Officer through the highest leadership role as Commander.  As the elected Sheriff-Coroner of Yolo County, along with standard law enforcement functions, Prieto is responsible for 260+ employees, department operations in the Administrative Division, which includes the Coroner’s Office, Finance, Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), Administrative Services, Legal Services, Personnel, Animal Services and Planning & Research; the Detention Division, which includes jail operations that can accommodate 455 inmates, Work Programs, Standards and Training for Corrections (STC), Commissary, Inmate Education Programs, Records, Food Services, Court Services, Transportation, Security & Investigations, and Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT); and the Field Operations Division, which includes Community Resources/Crime Prevention, Investigations, Marine Patrol/Search & Rescue, Civil, and Patrol, with internal programs such as Capay Augmented Patrol (CAP), Field Training, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), Yolo Narcotics Enforcement Team (YONET), Teaching Tolerance Program, and Volunteer Programs that include Aero Squadron, Cadets, Posse, Reserves, and Sheriff’s Team of Active Retired Seniors (STARS). 

Born in San Fernando, California into a law enforcement family, Prieto lived there until being accepted as a Paratrooper into the prestigious 101st Airborne Division in 1962.  Shortly after leaving the U.S. Army, he joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and worked five different field commands; two headquarter commands and led the CHP Statewide Motorcycle Training Operations to one of the lowest injury/fatal records in the history of the CHP. 

Being a lifelong advocate for human rights, Prieto was asked to coauthor a Professional Police Ethics Course that has been taught to a number of law enforcement officials. 

Along with 24 years of command level experience, Prieto was elected Sheriff-Coroner in 1998 and again in 2002 and 2006.  His impact has reached every level within the Sheriff’s Department.  Starting with revitalizing the image and vision of the Sheriff’s Department, Prieto increased needed training five-fold for the entire Department to ensure the most professionally trained staff possible.  Sheriff Prieto collaborates with many public and private entities, such as the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, Chamber of Commerce and Latino organizations. Prieto has also enhanced service to the community through increased deputies on patrol, starting a retired senior volunteer program, initiating a Sheriff’s Posse, K-9 Program, and enlarged Animal Services Annex, using outside grant funding.  Prieto has also completely redone the information technology component of the Department, improving not only officer safety, but also service to the community. 

Sheriff Prieto is married to one of the highest-ranking women on the CHP, and boasts of being the father of five daughters.

TOM LOPEZ, UNDERSHERIFF - CORONER

Undersheriff-Coroner Tom Lopez was born and raised in Yolo County and joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1980 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. He became a full time Deputy in 1984 and transferred to the Sacramento County Marshall’s Office in 1985. He returned to the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department in 1988 as a Resident Deputy and Field Training Officer in the Esparto – Capay Valley area.

Tom promoted to Sergeant in 1993 and supervised Patrol, Security and Investigations at the jail, Legal Services and Investigations.  In 1999, he promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Administrative Division where he was in charge of Training, Personnel, Civil and Internal Affairs. 

In June of 2001 Tom promoted to the rank of Captain  and was assigned to the Detention Division for 4 years, Field Operations Division for 8 months, and the Administrative Division for the last 1 1/2 years.  While assigned to the Detention Division, Tom was charged with the care and custody of 452 inmates and was responsible for the supervision of 137 employees.  He also oversaw the Department's Planning and Research Section.  As the Field Operations Commander, Tom oversaw the Sheriff's patrol force.  As the Administrative Division Commander, Tom supervised the Personnel Section, Finance Section, and continued to oversee the Department's Planning and Research Section.  On April 28, 2006, Tom was named the "2005 Sworn Manager of the Year" at the Sheriff Department's annual awards banquet.

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is active in the community as a Fire Chief of the Madison Fire Protection District.  He also serves as a board member on Capay Valley Vision.  Undersheriff Lopez resides in western Yolo County with his wife and daughter.

CAPTAIN LARRY CECCHETTINI, DETENTION DIVISION

Captain Larry Cecchettini began his career with the Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy in 1986 and achieved paid full time status in 1988. He worked in Court Services, Patrol and Investigations. While assigned to the Investigations Section, Cecchettini participated in many complex and unusual investigations.  In 1997, Cecchettini promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to the Field Operations Division. He also spent 2 years supervising the Court Security Section and 2 years as Detective Sergeant and Press Information Officer. 

Captain Cecchettini is a graduate of the 206th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He has received numerous letters of commendation and five formal department commendations, including Officer of the Year in 1995.

CAPTAIN ROBIN FAILLE, FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION

Captain Robin Faille has been with the Sheriff’s Department since 1986. As a deputy, Faille worked numerous assignments including Detention, Patrol, Field Training Officer, Detective and Undercover Operations. In 1992, Faille was selected as Officer of the Year.

Faille promoted to Sergeant in 1996. In that capacity she supervised Security and Investigations at the Monroe Detention Center, and the Department’s Civil, Internal Affairs and Legal Services Sections.

Faille promoted to Lieutenant in 2001 and was assigned to the Field Operations Division. In this capacity she was in charge of Patrol, Training, Community Resources, and is a recognized authority in the area of Homeland Security. As a Lieutenant, Faille was also the Department’s S.W.A.T. team commander.

Born and raised in Woodland, Captain Faille graduated from CSU Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice. Captain Faille is also a graduate of the 217 Session of the FBI National Academy. 

CAPTAIN RICH WILLIAMS, ADMINISTRATION

Captain Rich Williams joined the Sheriff's Department in 1985 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff.  He became a full time Deputy in 1986 and transferred to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.  He returned to the Yolo County Sheriff's Department in 1988 and worked numerous assignments including Courthouse Security, Transportation, Detention, Field Training Officer, Detectives, and as a Resident Deputy for the town of Knight's Landing.  Rich promoted to Sergeant in 1997.  As a Sergeant Rich worked several assignments including Patrol, Administration, Training Manager, Investigations, and Press Information Officer.  He promoted to Lieutenant in 2005 and was assigned to the Detention Division managing the Records, Courthouse Security, and Transportation Sections.

Rich has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the 210th session of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He has received several Department commendations, including Manager of the Year in 2000 and 2006, and was a member of the Team of the Year in 2005.
LIEUTENANT JEFF MONROE, FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION

Lt. Jeff Monroe began his career with the Sheriff’s Department as a Civilian Correctional Officer in 1986 and became a Deputy Sheriff in 1988.  Jeff was promoted to Sergeant in 1997 and Lieutenant in 2005.  He has supervised Patrol, Marine Patrol, Search & Rescue, Detectives, Court Services, Internal Affairs, Personnel, and the Civil Section.  His past assignments also include Press Information Officer and Crisis Negotiation Team Commander.  Jeff is currently assigned to the Field Operations Division and serves as the Department SWAT Commander and Mutual Aid Coordinator. 

Jeff was elected to the Woodland City Council in 2000 and re-elected to the City Council in 2004.  Jeff is a graduate of the Great Valley Leadership Academy and the League of Cities Leadership Academy.  Jeff is a member of the American Legion, Luna Vista Rotary, Woodland Tree Foundation, Caledonian Club and the Scottish Athletic Association.

In 2002, Jeff received the Yolo County Concilio Recognition Award for exemplary leadership in public service.  Jeff received the Yolo County Red Cross Hero’s Award in 2004 for saving the life of a choking victim.  Jeff has received four formal department commendations, including Manager of the Year in 2002 and the Sheriff’s Special Commendation in 2004. Jeff is a graduate of the 224th session of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Born and raised in Woodland, Jeff graduated from Woodland High School and served four years in the U.S. Army.  Jeff spent two of those years in a cavalry unit guarding the East/West German border and was honorably discharged in 1983.  Jeff graduated from Saint Mary’s College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management.  Jeff is married to Adrienne and they have two children James and Jenevieve.

LIEUTENANT MARTIN TORRES, FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION

Lieutenant Martin Torres has been with the Sheriff’s Department since 1988. As a Deputy Sheriff, Torres worked Security and Investigations, Court Services, Patrol and Field Training. Torres promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1999 and has worked various supervisory assignments including Patrol, Legal Services, Civil Process, Range Master, Training Manager and Field Training Coordinator.

Torres has received numerous letters and memorandums of appreciation for on duty and off duty actions including a Memorandum of Appreciation for evacuating an elderly woman from her home during a structure fire while off duty. Torres also received the Dedicated Service Citation from Sheriff Prieto and has received Certificates of Recognition from both the State Senate and State Assembly. 

LIEUTENANT CARTER VAUGHN, FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION

Lieutenant Carter Vaughn has been with the Sheriff's Department since 1994.  As a Deputy Sheriff, Carter worked Court Services, Security and Investigations, Patrol, and Field Training.  Carter was promoted to Sergeant in 2002 and has worked as a supervisor assigned to Patrol, Court Services, and Transportation.  He has also served as the Department's Range Master and Glock Armorer.

Carter has received numerous commendations and awards, including Manager of the year in 2004.  Carter has received four Dedicated Service Awards and two Distinguished Service Awards.  He received one Distinguished Service Award for assisting in the rescue of two children and their mother, who were stranded in a raft along Putah Creek.  The other was for rescuing a suicidal subject from his home after it became filled with carbon monoxide gas. 

Carter resides in Woodland with his wife, Paula, of 22 years.  Carter also has a son who is currently serving his Country in the United States Marine Corps.