Nearly a dozen honored at new sheriff’s first promotions ceremony

STOCKTON — Tears were shed, memories were shared and families embraced as nearly a dozen members of the San Joaquin County Sheriff ’s Office were honored for their efforts.

Sheriff Pat Withrow conducted the first promotions ceremony of his term at the Robert J. Cabral Agricultural Center on Monday morning, where eight members of his team received promotions, and three received awards for going above and beyond to save the lives of citizens.

“One of the joys of my life is to be able to promote some folks who greatly deserve it,” Withrow said. “I am so so blessed to have such great employees willing to take the next step, and the people of San Joaquin County are very fortunate to have them serving them.”

Earning promotions Monday were Deputy Capt. Dustin Kulling, Deputy Lts. Rudolfo Lovato and Nicholas Taiarol, and Deputy Sgt. Michael Eastin.

Also earning promotions were Correctional Lts. Trenton Tavai and Jerry Williamson, and Correctional Sgts. Cesar Fuentes and Steven Newson.

Lovato, who has been with the Sheriff ’s Office since 2003 as a sworn officer, wiped away tears as Withrow called him to center stage to receive his new badge.

Lovato’s assignments have been patrol, school resources, community special enforcement and Lathrop Police services, among others.

A veteran of the United States Marine Corps who had been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, Lovato recalled all the colleagues, coworkers and friends who supported him while he was deployed, and upon his return home.

He said being a member of the Sheriff’s Office was more than just a job or duty. It was like being part of a family.

“When you talk about family, there is really a family here,” he said. “That’s what really makes me feel good about being here. We have a wonderful crew, and I’m very humbled to be a part of this family.”

Kulling has been with the Sheriff ’s Office since 2002 and has been lieutenant since 2016. Withrow read a long list of accomplishments he had achieved since joining the department, including working in narcotics and investigated both local and international trafficking incidents, supervising swing shifts, managing animal services, supervising the hostage negotiation unit, as well as implementing the department’s drone and body-worn camera programs.

Kulling said those accomplishments could not have been made without the support of his family.

“I’m so lucky, so fortunate, to have a family and friends to be with me through that,” he said. “As a young deputy, I remember working very late and not coming home. And then later on, working narcotics, I’d call my wife and say ‘hey babe, I’m on my way to Los Angeles, I don’t know when I’m coming home.’”

Also recognized Monday morning were deputies Andrew Baines, Clinton Sizuela and Sanitno Westwood.

Withrow said Baines and Sizuela went beyond the call of duty on Aug. 1, 2017, when they rescued an elderly woman from drowning in the freezing waters of the San Joaquin Delta.

Baines was the responding deputy and led fellow officers to the woman, while Sizuela was able to access a resident’s boat and pull the woman to safety.

On Aug. 9, 2012, Westwood answered a woman’s call to find her suicidal husband, Withrow said. Westwood found the man at his favorite fishing hole, and administered lifesaving measures before it was too late, Withrow said.

Also recognized was resident Thomas Soukkeo, who recently saved a man from the freezing waters of the Delta as well.

Withrow said Sokkeo, an employee of RiverPoint Landing, was just leaving work when he heard someone screaming after a boat capsized in the Delta. Soukkeo jumped in calmed the man down and pulled him to the shore as deputies arrived.

“I feel blessed,” Soukkeo said of the recognition. “I’m going to continue doing me, and hopefully everyone who goes out to the Delta will have their life gear on."