Deputy Rick Rutherford Receives Deputy Sheriff Of The Year Award

Sonora, CA– Tuolumne County Deputy Rick Rutherford has a hard task in front him, trying to find a place to put his 2006 Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award.

He was given the award at the recent American Legion Post 58 awards dinner. Officials say Rutherford began his career with the Sheriff´s Department in 1983 as a water recreation control employee and later was hired as a full time deputy sheriff.

Currently he is an instructor for boating accident investigation, teaching students throughout the State of California. Rutherford participated in the recovery of five homicide victims from Lake New Melones in 2002.

In 2005, while on vacation in Placer County, he witnessed a stabbing and was able to chase the suspect and detain him until the Placer County Sheriff´s Department arrived.

Sheriff Jim Mele says,We are proud and honored to have a person of Rick´s caliber as a member of the Sheriff´s Office. He provides to us and the community an expertise that is not easy to find among law enforcement officers. His work is much appreciated.”

Written by Alisha Cruz