[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF JESS OJEDA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jess Ojeda, an extremely 
gifted police officer who dedicated much of his life to the Watsonville 
Community and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement. Mr. 
Ojeda, who was born in Chihuahua, Mexico in 1912 and moved to 
Watsonville, California in 1922, passed away of natural causes on 
August 9th, 2004. He was 91. Mr. Ojeda's wife, Lillian Martha Ojeda, 
passed away in 1999. He is survived by three children, Kelley, Martha, 
and Shane, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
  The son of Jesus Antonio and Rosa Luisa Ojeda, Mr. Ojeda worked hard 
upon his arrival to America. Before becoming a police officer, his jobs 
included working in a butcher shop, starting up a courier business, 
deputy civil engineer, and tomato farming. After assisting in the 
construction of Fort Ord, one of the largest training bases in the 
U.S., Mr. Ojeda became a police officer with the Watsonville Police 
Department in 1949. He was known for his true concern for the people of 
Watsonville and the compassion with which he performed his job.
  Mr. Ojeda worked for the Watsonville Police Department until 1957 
when he earned a spot as an undercover agent with the state's Bureau of 
Narcotic Enforcement in San Francisco. During his time as an undercover 
agent, Mr. Ojeda faced great danger in order to successfully arrest the 
criminals whose extensive drug operations he was determined to bring 
down. During his long career, he made over 5,000 arrests and had a 95 
percent conviction rate.
  Mr. Ojeda never lost sight of his true goal, which was to protect the 
people of his community who suffered at the hands of drug kingpins and 
dealers. His main objective was to reduce the number of addicts, not 
through punitive means, but through legislation focused on treatment, 
counseling, and support programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my condolences to the Ojeda family 
during these difficult times. His legacy as a devoted police officer 
and community leader will have a longlasting effect in both the Pajaro 
Valley and all of California. I join the Watsonville community, friends 
and family in honoring this truly admirable man for all his lifelong 
achievements.

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