Citizens show their appreciation during event for Hemet PD

Hemet Police Officer Derrick Young with Chief David Brown. Ted Morgan photo

Hemet Police Officer Derrick Young with Chief David Brown. Ted Morgan photo

A large group of Hemet and San Jacinto residents gathered outside the Hemet Police Station Tuesday, Oct. 1, to show their appreciation to Officer Derrick Young and the entire Hemet police force for their continued dedication and service to the community.

Ted Morgan, a retired deputy sheriff, organized the event to recognize Officer Young for a recent early-morning arrest where he disarmed and apprehended a probationer who had an active felony warrant.

The incident Young was honored for happened Aug. 22, at 3:40 a.m.

While on patrol, Young recognized a wanted felon and was able to take the suspect into custody without incident. Young discovered the suspect was in possession of a loaded, 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an illegal, high-capacity magazine. A record check revealed the gun had been reported stolen nine days earlier.

Ted Morgan, of the FB group I love San Jacinto Valley organized the event. Ted Morgan photo

Morgan, a host of the popular Facebook page, I Love San Jacinto Valley, spoke on behalf of a “grateful community” as he presented Officer Young with a plaque. He also presented cake and ice cream for the entire shift.

“This is the type of incident that will never make the 5 o’clock news but officers do it every day. We will never know how many crimes they prevent by taking these criminals off the street,” Morgan said. “They put their lives on the line every day for us and we want them to know how much our community appreciates what they do.”

Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown, Lt. Jeff Davis, Council Member Linda Krupa and Council Candidate Karlee Meyer were on hand to support their officers and thank the citizens for taking the time to show their appreciation to their officers and the department.

“They know you’re out there but sometimes it’s nice to see the good people in the community come out and show their support,” Brown said. “It makes a huge difference.”

The event was sponsored by Greg and Diane Kennedy of Counter Strike Firearms, located at 175 N Cawston Ave, # 115 in Hemet. They can be reached at (951) 634-4071.

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Hemet Police Department photo

Hemet Police Department photo

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.

Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.