Top Supervisor Award
Sergeant Fred Links
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
Sergeant Fred Links of the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs is a charismatic supervisor who radiates confidence and clear dedication to his department and co-workers. Over the past 25 years, Fred has received two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars for bravery from his department.
Sergeant Links is commander of the Sacramento Area Intelligence Narcotics Task Force (SAINT), which became operational in 2000. SAINT has been under the command of Sergeant Links for most of that time, consisting of 12 individuals from eight different local, state and federal agencies. The Mission of SAINT is the identification, arrest and prosecution of major methamphetamine manufacturers, drug distributors and chemical suppliers. SAINT members are cross-trained as clandestine laboratory specialists able to dismantle methamphetamine laboratory sites.
This past year, SAINT members initiated 54 investigations and disrupted or dismantled 16 major drug-trafficking organizations. They seized 151 pounds of cocaine, 46 pounds of methamphetamine, 132 pounds of marijuana and over $700,000 in drug proceeds. On September 23, 2004, a 17-month SAINT investigation into a Sacramento-area “ice” or crystal meth production and distribution effort concluded. The “ice” was shipped from Canada to Hawaii, Minnesota and throughout California. Twenty-four search warrants led to 27 arrests. There were 20 pounds of meth seized, along with $130,000 in cash, 18 guns, 12 vehicles. In addition, 10 children were placed into protective custody.
Sergeant Link’s unique investigative approach and coordinating abilities, along with his perseverance to relentlessly move forward with leads during this investigation, coupled with his ability to lead a highly motivated SAINT crew was credited for the success of the operation.
Another innovation is Sergeant Links’ Precursor Vendor Program (PVP), where investigators act as a liaison to local businesses such as tack and feed stores that sell products used in meth labs. Businesses are encouraged to voluntarily report information regarding the buyers of products that might be used to manufacture methamphetamine. PVP data is researched and analyzed to disclose links to meth labs and identify conspiratorial relationships that exist between chemical retailers and DTO’s.
Sergeant Fred Links believes in leading by example and has demonstrated his abilities in countless situations. He has earned the ultimate respect of his peers and subordinates as a supervisor who leads by example and excels in everything he does. The Golden Badge Foundation is honored to recognize Sergeant Fred Links as Top Supervisor of the Year.
Top Supervisor Award
Special Agent Supervisor Tyler G. Burtis
California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, San Luis Obispo
Special Agent Supervisor Tyler Burtis has been a member of the Los Angeles Regional Office Management Team since June 2003, and is currently assigned to the San Luis Obispo County Narcotic Task Force. Burtis voluntarily accepted this position immediately following the removal of the former Task Force Commander, during a period of time when there was instability within the force itself. There were also doubts in the minds of the chief law enforcement officials who make up the Board of Governors on whether they were going to continue to allow the DOJ to continue its role as lead agency in the task force. Within a year, SAS Burtis reversed the tides and lead the pace in placing the task force back into the position of being one of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement’s most well-respected groups.
Upon his arrival, SAS Burtis inherited a task force that was comprised of seven investigators and two administrative/clerical support staff. His leadership within the task force and growing respect immediately prompted five additional agencies to join, doubling his staff to 18 task force members. With this expanded support staff, the task force was able to spend more time in the field, which has increased its overall productivity. Burtis’ additions of a certified forensic accountant to the staff allowed the task force’s asset forfeiture program to better track and properly investigate its seizures.
He was instrumental in pointing the task force in the direction of conducting extensive money laundering investigations on known longstanding drug rings within the community that have never been infiltrated due to their perceived financial legitimacy. He helped create a Pharmaceutical Drug Diversion offender database which, some day, is hoped to be available to all county law enforcement agencies. SAS Burtis has divided his task force into sub-task forces or teams that specifically addresses “quality of life” issues such as Major Violator Issues (focusing on major drug traffickers and distributors), Parcel Interdiction Programs (focusing on local planes, trains and parcel/postal service facilities within the county), and Intelligence Issues (the creation and publication of a quarterly Intelligence Bulletin).
SAS Burton married the task force with the San Luis Obispo County D.A.’s Office to completely redraft the Drug Endangered Children protocol, which had been seldom used. Since the redraft, over 20 child endangerment cases have been filed with suspects held to answer on said charges.
According to the Board of Governors and those affiliated with the San Luis Obispo Task Force, SAS Burtis was the engine to take the task force from its lowest point to the best and most productive that it has ever been, and in less than two years.
It is with great honor that the Golden Badge Foundation recognizes Special Agent Supervisor Tyler G. Burtis as Top Supervisor of the Year.
Top Supervisor Award
Sergeant Mel Barnes
Glendale Police Department
Sergeant Mel Barnes started his career with the Glendale Police Department on June 14, 1971. He is a decorated Army Veteran who served his country as a “tunnel rat” in Vietnam for two years, bringing with him the values of teamwork and the philosophy of “always cover your partner’s back.”
Sergeant Barnes carried this philosophy with him throughout his career, even after being promoted to Sergeant in 1986. As a supervisor, he excelled. He was not big on administrative duties and believed that his role as a supervisor was to continually train his officers to assure that they went home at their end of watch. Sergeant Barnes believed that a good supervisor pounded the streets alongside his officers and was always there for them for whatever they needed, which gave him the most deserved reputation of being a “cop’s cop” among his subordinates.
Sergeant Barnes’ in-depth knowledge and experience as a trainer was invaluable at Glendale. Whenever training was provided by the department, he was always listed as a trainer or instructor. He supervised Glendale’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED) as well as the Burglary unit and was instrumental in the creation of Glendale’s Tactical Operations Special Services (TOSS).
Sergeant Barnes was a peer counselor, Koga instructor, Verbal Judo instructor, hostage negotiator and trainer for numerous officer safety courses. He also serves as a director with the Glendale Police Officer’s Association and played an integral role in the creation of the city’s Vietnam Memorial Committee, which erected the monument at City Hall, listing the names of soldiers from Glendale who died serving our country during wartime. During Sergeant Barnes’ free time, he taught police-related courses at Glendale Community College.
Unfortunately, an IOD injury forced Sergeant Barnes into early retirement on September 30, 2004 (after 33 years of dedicated service). Though his peers and subordinates were happy to see Sergeant Barnes finally experience the joys of retirement, they were equally saddened by his departure.
As a farewell token of Sergeant Barnes’ unwavering leadership and friendship, those officers who have proudly served under his supervision wanted to show their appreciation by nominating him for supervisor of the year. The Golden Badge Foundation is proud to honor Glendale Police Sergeant Mel Barnes with this year’s Top Supervisor Award.
