Date and Time of Incident: Saturday, 12 May 2012

Subject: Round-Up Parade
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Saturday, 12th May 2012, will be the annual Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse, Mother Lode Round-Up Parade. This event draws thousands of visitors to the downtown area of Sonora.

Several streets will be closed before and during the parade, which people need to keep in mind if they are planning on attending the parade or trying to get through town. Detours will be posted for those streets that are closed. The following are the major street closures for the parade;

South Washington St. at State Highway 108 will be closed to all traffic at 8:00 am.

North and South Washington St. will be closed to all traffic at 9:30 am.

Stockton Rd. at Green St. will be closed to all traffic at 9:30 am.

Snell St. at Bonanza will be closed to all traffic at 9:30 am.

School St. between Washington St. and Snell St. will be closed at 9:00 am.

“No parking” will be allowed on Washington St. from Snell St. to Williams Street, between 5 am and the end of the parade. “No parking” will be allowed on Stockton Rd. between Washington St. and Lower Save Mart between 5 am and the end of the parade. Special signs have been posted for these “No parking” zones. Unfortunately, if you park in these areas your vehicle will be towed.

If you are planning on attending the parade, the Sonora Police Department encourages you to arrive around 9:00 am to save yourself some aggravation and allow you time to find parking.

The only new street closure for the 2012 Round-Up Parade is the closure of School Street. School Street is being closed to provide the parade participants a safe place to disembark from their floats and entries.

Following the conclusion of the parade, parade spectators can expect heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the downtown area for about 40-50 minutes.

Date and Time of Incident: 3 May 2012, at approx. 11:10 am

Subject: Injury Accident
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3 May 2012, at approx. 11:10 am, emergency personnel responded to a reported multiple vehicle accident, with multiple injuries, on Stockton Rd., near Ponderosa Rd., in the area of a Cal Trans construction zone.

When Officers arrived, they determined four vehicles were involved and that five (5) people were injured. These five (5) people were transported to Sonora Regional Medical Center for complaints of pain. There appeared to be no major injuries.

Several vehicles were westbound on Stockton Rd. and stopped for traffic control being conducted as part of Cal Trans road maintenance. While the vehicles were stopped they were struck from behind by a 2002 Chrysler Town and County Van being driven by Arlene Sprague. Sprague failed to see that traffic was stopped and struck the first car at approx. 30 miles per hour.

This set off a chain reaction involving a 2006 Toyota P/U driven by Nola Pettitt, a 1987 Cadillac Eldorado driven by Irene Garcia and a 2008 Subaru Legacy driven by Brian Payne. All the involved vehicles sustained major damage.

The investigation into this matter is continuing.

Subject: Officer John Sheldon added to Peace Officer Memorials
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On Monday, 7 May 2012, Officer John Sheldon will be added to the California Peace Officer Memorial in Sacramento. Then on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, his name will be added to the National Peace Officer Memorial in Washington D.C.

The Sonora Police Department nominated Officer John Sheldon to be added to the California Peace Officer’s Memorial. Officer Sheldon is believed to have been the first Officer killed in the line of duty, while serving the City of Sonora in 1855. A copy of the letter appears below.

Sonora is one of the oldest Cities in California, being established 1 May 1851.
The most accurate information available regarding Officer Sheldon’s death was obtained, by using official documents such as City records, Coroner’s Inquest, and local news articles.

Officer Sheldon was involved in a shooting, in Sonora, on 15 June 1851, which was covered in a Coroner’s Inquest. It appears Officer Sheldon was assisting the City Marshall at the time, when he shot and killed a Chilean. A statement in the inquest refers to Sheldon as “John Sheldon one of the police.” If John Sheldon was an officer, working for the City of Sonora at the time, he may have been one of the first Police Officers for the City of Sonora.

During a City Council meeting on 5 April 1855, John Sheldon was appointed as a Police Officer for the City of Sonora. It is unknown if Officer Sheldon had worked for the City in 1851, then his employment was severed for some reason, then he was reappointed again in 1855. But the records clearly indicate he was appointed as an Officer for the City on 5 April 1855.

There are some conflicting dates on Officer Sheldon’s death, as they range from April to May 1855. However, we are basing Officer Sheldon’s death on the Coroner’s Inquest into his death, which is dated 29 April 1855. In this inquest, the coroner refers to being called upon to view Officer Sheldon’s body on that date, at the United States Hotel, where he had died. There is also a local paper article dated 29 April 1855, which refers to the murder of Officer Sheldon.

It is believed Officer Sheldon’s murder was the result (retaliation) for the shooting that he was involved in during 1881, where he shot and killed a Chilean. There are several articles inferring the correlation between the two incidents. In fact, during the execution, one of the convicted men addressed the crowd and stated, “…Sheldon was a bad man, and killed a Chileno…”

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENT:
On the morning of 29 April 1855, at approx. 3:30 am, Officer John Sheldon was attacked (ambushed) while walking his beat in the downtown area of Sonora. Two subjects approached him from behind and fatally stabbed him in the side. The suspects also took Officer Sheldon’s Colt pistol, serial number 3035, from him before fleeing the scene.

Officer Sheldon made his way to the United Stated Hotel and contacted the keeper. The keeper allowed him inside, where Officer Sheldon collapsed on the floor. Officer Sheldon was able to give an account of what had occurred before dying.

The assailants were identified as two Chilean’s named Banancio Escobar and Jose Sebada. The assailants were tracked by Sheriff P.L. “King” Solomon and were located in Tuttletown. At the time of their arrest, they were in possession of Officer Sheldon’s pistol and Sebada was sharpening a large knife, which was believed to be the murder weapon.

Both Escobar and Sebada were taken into custody and transported back to Sonora to stand trial. Evidence was presented at their trail, which lead to a verdict of “guilty of murder in the first degree.” Both men were sentenced to death. Then on 3 Aug. 1855, both men were executed by hanging, with approx. 4,000 people in attendance.

ITEMS REVIEWED:

A: Journal entry showing John Sheldon being appointed as a Police Officer date 5 April 1855, one page

B: Coroner’s Inquest date 15 June 1851, shooting by Officer Sheldon, one page

C: Coroner’s Inquest date 29 April 1855, regarding the murder of Officer Sheldon, seven pages

D: Daily Alta article regarding the murder of Officer Sheldon, two pages

E: Chronicles of Crime CHISPA showing the murder of Officer Sheldon, one page

F: Entry into CHISPA regarding the murder of Officer Sheldon, one page

G: Coroner’s log showing the shooting Officer Sheldon was involved in, in 1851, one page

H: Coroner’s log showing the murder of Officer Sheldon in 1855, one page

I: Sacramento Daily Union 10 July 1855, regarding sentence of Escobar and Sebada

J: Sacramento Daily Union 6 Aug. 1855, regarding the execution of Escobar and Sebada

Date and Time of Incident: 24 April 2012, at approx. 1:50 am

Subject: Drug Arrest
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24 April 2012, at approx. 1:50 am, an officer stopped a vehicle for speeding on Stewart Street. The vehicle was traveling 40 MPH in a 25 MPH residential zone. The Officer contacted the driver, who was identified as Roger Davis 42 of Coulterville.

While talking with Davis, the Officer noticed the smell of marijuana on Davis’ breath. Davis admitted to smoking medical marijuana and produced a recommendation. Davis was found to be under the influence of marijuana and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of marijuana.

Davis’ medical marijuana was retrieved from his vehicle, upon his request. When the Officer looked inside the container, which contained the medical marijuana, the Officer located a baggie of methamphetamine. Also inside the same container was some hashish.

Davis was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for felony possession of a controlled substance and for misdemeanor driving under the influence.

The following streets will be closed on Tuesday, 15 May 2012, at 3:00 pm through Wednesday, 16 May 2012, at 2:00 pm for scheduled AMGEN events.

• Green Street between Dodge and Bradford Streets.

• Yaney Avenue between Washington and Norlin Streets.

• Jackson Street between Washington and Green Streets.

The following streets will be closed on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, between 4:30 am and 2:00 pm.

• State Route 49 (Washington Street) southbound traffic lane between School Street and Stockton Road.

• State Route 49 (Washington Street) northbound traffic lane from Stockton Road to Elkin Street.

The following street will be closed on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, between 10:00 am and 11:00 am.

• South Washington Street from State Route 49 (Stockton Road) to State Route 108.

No parking will be allowed at the following locations.

• There will be no parking on the east and west sides of Washington Street from Elkin Street to Stockton Road on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, between 2:00 am and 2:00 pm.

• There will be no parking on the east and west sides of Stewart Street from Elkin Street to Church Street on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, between 2:00 am and 2:00 pm.

• There will be no parking on the north and south sides of State Route 49 (Stockton Road) between South Washington Street and Green Street on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, between 8:00 am and 11:00 am.

• There will be no parking on the east and west sides of South Washington Street from Stockton Road to Williams Street on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, between 8:00 am and 11:00 am.

• The Fountain parking lot at the intersection of the intersection of South Washington Street and Church Street will be closed and reserved for disabled parking, with a valid placard only on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, between 8:00 am and 11:00 am.

Parking will be allowed at the following location.

• The “No Parking” shoulder area on the east side of South Washington Street north of State Route 108 may be used as parking for the general public.

Detours for State Route 49 (Washington Street) on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, between 4:30 am to 2:00 pm.

All southbound traffic on State Route 49 (Washington Street) will be detoured at the intersection of State Route 49 (Washington Street) and School Street. Traffic will travel on School Street to Snell Street, then from Snell Street to Bonanza Road, then from Bonanza Road to Forrest Road, then Forrest Road to State Route 49 (Stockton Road).

All northbound traffic on State Route 49 (Washington Street) will be detoured at the intersection of Washington Street and Stockton Road. Traffic will be detoured to Church Street and then northbound on Stewart Street. Traffic will travel on Stewart Street to Elkin Street, then Elkin Street to State Route 49 (Washington Street).

The following parking lots will be closed to the public on Wednesday, 16 May 2012.

• The ground floor of the Terzich Parking Structure on Washington Street.

• The Sonora Fire Station Parking Lot on Shepherd Street.

• The City Hall Parking Lot on Green Street, levels one and two.

• The Red Church Parking Lot on Snell Street.

• The Green Street Parking Lot south of Linoberg Street.

The following parking lots will be open to the public on Wednesday, 16 May 2012.

• The Drabkin Parking Lot at Theall and Stewart Street.

• The Balestra Parking Lot on Stewart Street south of Mehun Street.

• The Shepherd Street parking Lot north of Mehun Street.

• The Oneto Parking Lot at Stewart and Lyons Street.

• The Woods Creek/Rotary Park Parking Lot.

Date and Time of Incident: 29 March 2012, at approx. 9:57 pm

Subject: Drug & Possession of Stolen Property Arrest
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29 March 2012, at approx. 9:57 pm, Officers responded to Wal-Mart regarding two subjects in the process of shoplifting several items from the store. When Officers arrived, they contacted one of the subjects as they were getting into their vehicle. This subject was identified as Samantha Evans, 32 of Sonora.

Evans was in possession of several items from the store, which she had failed to pay for. A search of her vehicle revealed controlled narcotics, a methamphetamine pipe, wig, mask, and burglary tools. Also located inside the vehicle was property which had been stolen in the Twain Harte area the day before.

Evans partner was identified as Nathan Nevarez, 36 of Sonora. The store’s Loss Prevention staff had observed Nevarez remove several items of merchandise from its packaging and conceal the items on is person. Nevarez was contacted inside the store and the merchandise was recovered.

Both Evans and Nevarez were placed under arrest and transported to the Tuolumne County Jail. They were booked for felony conspiracy to commit a crime; felony possession of a controlled substance; felony possession of stolen property; misdemeanor shoplifting; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; misdemeanor possession of burglary tools.

Date and Time of Incident: 29 March 2012, at approx. 7:38 pm

Subject: Drug Arrest
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29 March 2012, at approx. 7:38 pm, Officers from the Sonora Police Department responded to the parking lot of Wal-Mart regarding a report of two subjects smoking marijuana inside a parked vehicle.

Officers arrived and observed evidence of drug use inside the vehicle. One of the subjects inside the vehicle was identified as Adam Hoskins, 25 of Sonora. Hoskins is currently out on his own recognizance from an arrest in January 2012 for being in possession of controlled substances; possession of stolen property; giving false information to a police officer; bringing a controlled substance into the jail; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A search of the vehicle produced a large amount of vicodin and other controlled narcotics that Hoskins didn’t have a prescription for. Also located were heroin, hypodermic needles, and spoons used in the injection of narcotics.

Hoskins was taken into custody and transported to the Tuolumne County Jail. Hoskins was booked for felony possession of controlled narcotics; committing a felony while out of jail on his own recognizance; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Date and Time of Incident: 28 March 2012 at approx. 6:07 pm

Subject: Robbery Arrest
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28 March, 2012, at approx. 6:07 pm, a Loss Prevention Officer from Wal-Mart approached a subject who had exited the store. The Loss Prevention Officer observed the subject remove empty Wal-Mart bags from his person then place merchandise inside the bags. The subject had also put on a new pair of boots before exiting the store and not paying for the approximate $300 in merchandise he had collected.

The subject refused to return to the store with the Loss Prevention Officer. When the Loss Prevention Officer removed his cell phone to call the police department, the suspect knocked the cell phone out of the Loss Prevention Officers hand and a short physical altercation insured before the suspect ran from the area.

The suspect was later located behind a business on the east side of the shopping plaza and was taken into custody. The suspect was still wearing the boots he had stolen from Wal-Mart. The Suspect was identified as Danny Rhorer, 45 of Sonora. Rhorer has an extensive criminal history involving violence and theft and was recently released from parole.

Rhorer was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for; felony robbery, felony burglary, felony possession of stolen property; felony destruction of a phone; misdemeanor possession of burglary tools.

Date and Time of Incident: 21 March 2012, at approx. 1:03 pm

Subject: Subject Attacks Officer
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21 March 2012, at approx. 1:03 pm, the Sonora Police Department received a report of a male subject dressed in black with a white cowboy hat yelling at passing vehicles. An Officer responded and contacted the subject on Highway 49, across from Vic’s Towing.

When the Officer exited his vehicle, the subject immediately stated telling the Officer that he was going to kill him. The subject then charged the Officer for no apparent reason. The Officer deployed an electronic control device, but the device had little impact on the subject. However, it did stop the subject’s advancement towards the officer.

The Officer called for assistance on his portable radio. After calling for assistance the subject ripped the Officer’s radio off the Officer’s belt and threw it approx 30 feet away. The subject then made a statement to the Officer, now who are you going to call. The subject then charged the Officer a second time. This time the subject reached the Officer and started punching the Officer.

The Officer was able to push the subject off of him and deployed his service weapon. At this point an Officer from the California Highway Patrol arrived. Shortly after the second Officers arrival the subject started complying with verbal commands from both of the Officers and he was taken into custody without any further incident.

The subject was identified as Kevin Hepstall, 43 of Columbia. Hepstall is currently on felony probation for assaulting a Tuolumne County Deputy Sheriff in 2009. Hepstall was also arrested in 2008 for assaulting another Officer.

Hepstall was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail and booked for felony assault on a Police Officer; felony violation of probation; felony threats; and felony theft. The Officer sustained minor injuries from the attack and refused medical treatment.

Date and Time of Incident: 19 March 2012, at approx. 11:55 pm

Subject: Drug Arrest
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19 March 2012, at approx. 11:55 pm, an Officer from the Sonora Police Department stopped a Toyota Camry for traveling 50 MPH in a 35 MPH zone on Stockton Road. The Officer contacted the driver, who was identified as Kenneth Summers, 53 of Sonora. Summers had an open alcohol container between his legs and was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

During a search of Summers, a large rock of methamphetamine was located, along with a glass pipe which contained a heavy amount of methamphetamine residue. Summers was placed under arrest and transported to the Tuolumne County Jail. Summers was booked for felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor driving under the influence of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.