[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO PAT HEDGES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 17, 2010

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
community leader, Pat Hedges, on his retirement after 33 years of 
service with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department, most 
currently as Sheriff-Coroner.
  Sheriff Hedges grew up in San Luis Obispo County, graduating from 
Morro Bay High School in 1970, earning an associate degree from Cuesta 
College and later a bachelor's degree in administration of justice from 
California State University, Sacramento. After receiving his degree 
from Cuesta College, Sheriff Hedges went on to join the United States 
Coast Guard in 1971, went through boot camp in Alameda, California, and 
served in the Coast Guard until his retirement in 1997. He went to work 
for Pacific Engineering in 1973 and then Thrifty Drug in 1974. In 1977, 
he began his career with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's 
Department.
  Sheriff Hedges was elected Sheriff of San Luis Obispo County in 1998, 
and served 3 consecutive terms. As Sheriff, he was responsible for law 
enforcement for an area in excess of 3,200 square miles, oversaw 400 
employees, and oversaw a county jail that currently houses more than 
500 inmates. Sheriff Hedges instituted many improvements and was 
instrumental in forging the modern Sheriff's Department. Among many 
things, Sheriff Hedges helped facilitate opening the new North Patrol 
Station in Templeton and a DNA laboratory for the department. He 
improved the efficiency of law enforcement in San Luis Obispo County by 
creating an Independent Sheriff's Narcotics Unit, forming the Rural 
Crime Task Force, and implementing school resource officers. Sheriff 
Hedges also was a founding member of the Anti-Gang Coordinating Council 
and established the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Unit.
  Sheriff Hedges currently serves on the Board of Governors for the San 
Luis Obispo County Narcotics Task Force and has previously served in 
many community organizations including the North County Women's Shelter 
and the Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Center Board, San Luis 
Obispo Mental Health Board, California State and San Luis Obispo County 
Cattlemen's Associations, and the Anti-Gang Coordinating Commission. 
Sheriff Hedges is a member of the Los Angeles Joint Terrorism Task 
Force Executive Board.
  Dedicated to serving his community in a variety of ways, Sheriff 
Hedges' leadership at the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department 
will be deeply missed. I've known Pat for years and value his 
friendship and support, and while he may no longer be Sheriff, Pat will 
continue to be a leader in our community. I plan to continue to call on 
him for advice and counsel, and a good dose of his dry wit.
  In this new chapter of his life, I'm sure Pat is looking forward to 
spending more time with his wife, Sandy, and children. I commend his 
service to the County of San Luis Obispo, and I hope that Sheriff 
Hedges enjoys the next stage of his life.

                          ____________________