Lemoore American Legion Post tabs Lemoore Sergeant as 2016 Officer of the Year

Lemoore Police Chief and Acting City Manager Darrell Smith, introduced a contingent of American Legion officials and recipient Sergeant Danny Santos, as he highlighted the sergeant’s professional career.

On hand to present the award were American Legion members Bill Overby, Richard Plummer, Judie Madden, Thom Hernandez, Paul Zenz and Mitch Grundenbreker.

Smith said that Santos is a graduate Tulare-Kings Basic Peace Officer Academy and was hired by the police department in January of 2006. The Lemoore Police Chief said that Santos quickly earned a reputation as a motivated and enthusiastic officer, earning him assignments as a traffic officer, a Narcotics Task Force investigator, a field training officer, and a member of the Central Valley Regional SWAT Team.

Smith continued: “His dedication to his coworkers and citizens continued in each of his assignments. He is very proactive, and when he is given an assignment or special detail he begins working on it immediately,” he said.

“This work ethic led to a corporal promotion in November of 2014 and just a year later, a sergeant promotion in September of 2015.”

Sergeant Santos and his wife, Cindy, have two children, Evelyn and Aiden.

Smith said that Santos has become a leader in the department, and realized that the best way to lead is by example. “He takes great pride in himself, the department, and the quality and quantity of work that he performs,” and the talented officer is dedicated to his coworkers and the citizens.

Despite being a supervisor, he is still out on the streets looking for criminal activity, while still tending to his supervisory and administrative duties.

Sergeant Santos also supervises the department’s recruitment and retention efforts. He made a video about the opportunities available at the Lemoore Police Department, which can be seen on the department’s Facebook page. He also supervises the Field Training Program, which entails training newly hired officers to become solo officers.