[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT KAUFFMAN, CAPTAIN MIHELICH, OFFICER BLASINGAME, AND 
                 OFFICER GOLEZ OF FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Kauffman, 
Captain Mihelich, Officer Blasingame, and Officer Golez of Fairfield, 
California.
   Sergeant Kauffman will retire after nearly 30 years of law 
enforcement service with the City of Fairfield. He was hired as a 
Public Safety Officer with the Fairfield Police Department on July 5, 
1983. Sergeant Kauffman served the community in a number of non-
emergency patrol functions while putting himself through the police 
academy. After graduation, he was re-hired as a Police Officer on June 
30, 1986 where he worked in various capacities that included Patrol, 
Investigations, Solano Narcotics Enforcement Team (Sol-NET), and Field 
Training. Sergeant Kauffman earned the Police Officer of the Quarter 
award in November 1999 for his reliability and commitment to community 
service. On December 31, 1999, he was promoted to Police Corporal and 
then earned the City Manager's Commendation on July 28, 2003 for his 
contributions and dedication to the City's Driver Training program.
   On March 3, 2006, Sergeant Kauffman was promoted to Police Sergeant 
and ultimately supervised a number of different units including Patrol, 
Professional Standards, and Major Crimes. In 2009, as the Police 
Department experienced changes in leadership and command staff, he 
stepped in and assisted City management in filling the gaps. Sergeant 
Kauffman assumed the Police Lieutenant's position and managed Patrol 
Operations for several months. He has a can-do attitude and he 
consistently provides quality service to the community.
   Sergeant Kauffman has been a valued employee and leader, and his 
commitment to the community was evidenced on a daily basis. He was a 
loyal representative of the law enforcement community and admired for 
his hard work, dedication, and positive work ethic.
   Captain Mihelich will retire after nearly 29 years of law 
enforcement service, with 25 years of that service to the City of 
Fairfield. After serving over three years as a Reserve Officer and 
Police Officer with the South San Francisco Police Department, Captain 
Mihelich was hired as a Police Officer with the Fairfield Police 
Department on October 12, 1987. As an officer, he worked in various 
capacities that included Patrol, Investigations, Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education (DARE), Special Operations, Gang Suppression, Special 
Activity Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team, and Field Training.
   Captain Mihelich was promoted to Police Corporal on December 31, 
1999 and then to Police Sergeant on December 28, 2001. He skillfully 
mentored and supervised units in Patrol and Training & Personnel, and 
was named Manager of the Year in 2006. After being promoted to 
Lieutenant on June 6, 2008, Captain Mihelich served as a Commander for 
Patrol, Quality of Life, and Administrative Services Bureaus. He was a 
strong and decisive leader and as the Police Department experienced 
changes in leadership and command staff, he consistently stepped in and 
assisted City management in filling the gaps. He assumed the Police 
Captain's position and managed the Support Services Division beginning 
in April 2011 before being formally promoted on February 10, 2012.
   Capitan Mihelich has been a valued employee and leader, and his 
commitment to the City and community was evidenced on a daily basis. He 
was a loyal representative of the law enforcement community and admired 
for his hard work, dedication, and positive work ethic. Captain 
Mihelich is commended for his selfless contribution to Fairfield and 
its constituents.
   Officer Blasingame will retire after 30 years of law enforcement 
service, with 23 years of that service to the City of Fairfield. After 
serving seven years as a Correctional Officer and Deputy Sheriff with 
the Solano County Sheriff's Office, he was hired as a Police Officer 
with the Fairfield Police Department on September 25, 1989, and served 
the community in a number of capacities within the Patrol and 
Investigations Bureaus.
   Officer Blasingame has received numerous commendations from citizens 
and coworkers for his consistent and skillful performance. Some of his 
most significant contributions to the Police Department have been 
sharing his knowledge and experience of solid investigative skills, 
exceptional memory, and quality reporting techniques with fellow 
officers. Officer Blasingame has been a dedicated team member, mentor 
and positive representation of the Fairfield Police Department.
   Officer Golez will retire after nearly 30 years of law enforcement 
service to the City of Fairfield. He was hired as a Public Safety 
Officer with the Fairfield Police Department on January 7, 1983, and 
served the community in a number of police and fire functions until he 
attended the police academy in early 1985. After graduation, he was 
promoted to Police Officer on May 20, 1985, where he worked in various 
capacities within the Patrol and Traffic units.
   Officer Golez has received numerous commendations from citizens and 
coworkers for his consistent and exemplary performance. Some of his 
most significant contributions to the Police Department have been the 
development of the Police Cadet Program and sharing his motorcycle 
expertise with fellow officers. Officer Golez has been a dedicated 
teacher, mentor and a positive representation of the Fairfield Police 
Department.
   Sergeant Kauffman and Captain Mihelich will be presented with their 
retirement memorabilia at 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2012, during 
an Employee Recognition reception in Willow Hall at the Fairfield 
Community Center. Officers Blasingame and Golez will be recognized in 
early January. All are welcome to join the celebration of these 
distinguished careers.

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