The graduation of a San Gabriel Valley Law Enforcement Explorer Academy class is dedicated to the memory of retired Azusa police Officer Randall ("Randy") Phillips, 55, of Ontario. Phillips died in a car crash on his way to teaching that first day of class.
Former Arcadia Police Department officer Christian Blesch gets 180 days in jail for pilfering more than $40,000 from the Arcadia Police Officers Association. He has paid back the amount stolen and resigned.
Arcadia Police Department honors officer Tom Cullen, as Officer of the Year, and records technician Stella Weimer was named Civilian of the Year for 2012.
Christian Eric Blesch, 36, a former Arcadia police officer and Arcadia Police Officers' Association treasurer, is accused of embezzling $50,000. He pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court on the felony charges of grand theft by embezzlement. He was elected January 2011 to serve as treasurer. He resigned from Arcadia Police Department last month. A second police officer is being investigated.
Former Arcadia police officer Christian Blesch (photo), 36, was arrested for embezzlement of Arcadia Police Officers' Association funds. As of September 24, 2013, Blesch was terminated. Blesch allegedly charegd more than $50,000 for personal items on a police association's credit card. He pleaded not guilty to a felony count of grand theft by embezzlement.
Former Arcadia police officer Christian Blesch, 36, was arrested and charged with grand theft. He allegedly embezzled funds from the Arcadia Police Officers' Association over a period of several months. As of September 24, 2013, Blesch was no longer employed by Arcadia Police Department.
Bob Harbicht political Facebook photo altered after accusations of campaign law violations. He was in photo with members of Arcadia Police Officers' Association.
Arcadia resident Ralph Bicker, a retiree for 25 years, keeps busy with volunteer work. He volunteers as the secretary/treasurer of the Pasadena Federal Credit Union's board of directors. He has been named Volunteer of the Year by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.
Arcadia K-9 unit to speak at Arcadia Community Coordinating Council meeting in November. Sergeant Jeremy Lachenmyer, K-9 officer Kota and Officer Travis Sargent will be the speakers.
On the 84th anniversary of the murder of Arcadia police officer Albert E. Matthies, a ceremony was held by the Arcadia Police Officers Association in his honor. Matthies is the city's only police officer killed in the line of duty. A memorial plaque at Foothill Boulevard and Northview Avenue commemorates Matthies' sacrifice and a small plaque marks his grave site at Live Oak Memorial Park in Monrovia. Matthies was shot on July 18, 1927 and died the day after. The shooter was Frank Miller.
Los Angeles City Fire Captain Jack Fry, an Arcadia High School graduate, class of 1978, was named Training Officer of the Year by the Los Angeles Fire Commission.
Monrovia man David King Brewster has been charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, as he became combative and began fighting with two Arcadia police officers for no apparent reason, on July 6, 2015 in the 400 block of East Huntington Drive. Brewster may have been under the influence of a controlled substance. He punched one officer in the face and choked the other officer in an attempt to use cause serious or fatal injury to him.
Arcadia Police Officer's Association pulls endorsement of city council candidate Sho Tay. Candidate offers free stamps again. See hard copy in VF City Council Elections (2014).
Gene Glasco named Arcadia's Citizen of the Year by Chamber of Commerce. He is Arcadia City Clerk and founder of the Arcadia Vietnam War Monument Memorial.
Arcadia police officer Luis Vicuna received the Arcadia Police Department's Life Saving Medal last week for helping save the life of 76-year old James Chen, who collapsed at the Arcadia Sports Fitness Club late last year. Pictured are Arcadia Police Chief Robert Sanderson, Officer Luis Vicuna and Captain Gene Gioia.
California State Assembly member Anthony Portantino (Democrat-La Canada Flintridge), who represents the 44th District, which includes parts of Arcadia, was named Legislator of the Year by the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) for his public safety measure banning the open carry of unloaded handguns in public places.
Recently, about 140 people attended the 16th Annual Law Day at Arcadia Public Library. This free Ask-a-Lawyer Program is a joint effort of the City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Chinese Association.