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San Bernardino Chief of Police Jarrod Burguan
By Keith McCarter, McCarter University
On February 18, 2016 the San Bernardino Republican Women Federated presented an evening of Honor and Appreciation for San Bernardino Chief of Police Jarrod Burguan, County of San Bernardino Sheriff John McMahon and Assistant Director of the FBI David Bowdich.
This occasion was to honor these three men for their stellar service during the December 2, 2015 act of terrorism here in San Bernardino. Even though the evening was to honor these three men, they used much of their talk time to honor and praise everyone else and minimizing the attention being given to themselves.
Assistant Director David Bowdich used much of his speech time giving credit to a little girl who wrote a very unusually formal letter which thanked him for being so calm, cool, collected, and effective on the day of the incident. The little girl expressed that Mr. Bowdich’s demeanor while speaking on the news was so profound as to bring a bit of calm to the calamity. San Bernardino Sheriff John McMahon used much of his time explaining, thanking, and giving due credit to the several other government agencies which were involved in securing the December 2 scene and capturing the culprits.
San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan used much of his time talking about the effectiveness of all the law enforcement, medical and emergency responders. He praised the training and preparation of every person acting under the color of title and he was sure to give the medical establishment and medical personnel due credit for their important role in the management of the crises.
Either these men made a mistake in thinking this night was for everyone except them or, in the alternative, maybe their innate selflessness is one of their many good characteristics which highlighted their competence and dedication to the community to which they serve. Of these two possibilities I believe the latter option rings truer than the former.
Also present was Senator Mike Morrell, San Bernardino County Assessor Bob Dutton, San Bernardino Major Carey Davis and newly appointed Police Commissioner Damon Alexander. It was a truly inspirational evening.