Baugher named deputy of year
By Lenny Roberts

The son of former Ojai policeman, Ojai native Scott Baugher was exposed to law enforcement all of his life. He graduated from the Sheriff's Academy in June 1997, and following the obligatory two-year stint in the custody division, which he served at the Baldwin Road Honor Farm, Baugher was assigned to West County Patrol Services, working out of the Ojai Police Station.

Last week, the 27-year-old officer was named Ojai's Deputy of the Year by his supervisors and fellow deputies. The formal award will be presented May 16 at the Poinsettia Pavilion by the Kiwanis Club of Ventura. Baugher will then have his name inscribed on a perpetual trophy on display at the Ojai Police Station. His name will follow those of many officers who have been recognized for excellence and commitment, most recently deputies Joe Preciado in 2002, Mike Marco in 2001, Dave Sparks in 2000, Mark Burgess in 1999, and Maureen Hookstra in 1998.

Larry Baugher, who later became a sergeant in the Ventura County Sheriff's Department before retiring three years ago, said his son has done it all by himself.

"He works really hard. When he wants to learn something, he goes to school," the elder Baugher said.

In his relatively short tenure with the department, Baugher has become the Upper Ojai Search and Rescue liaison officer, where he is responsible for overseeing 25 volunteers on various missions; the Police Activities League off-road motorcycle instructor/mentor, where he teaches troubled youth how to ride motorcycles safely while having fun at the same time; a field training officer, helping to guide new recruits into the patrol world; and a career development detective, where he worked alongside permanent detectives Joe Evans and Rick Jones and Pentis while filing cases with the district attorney's office.

"That was the best job and time yet in my career, with many stories to tell," Baugher said.

He, along with wife Melissa, also oversees the Ojai Police Station's annual toy, food and clothing program for needy valley families each Christmas by personally gathering the names of those in need, then wrapping and delivering the packages.
He has also been a member of the California Narcotic Officers' Association for five years, and a board member of the Ventura County Peace Officers' Association for six months.

Ojai Police Chief Gary Pentis said Baugher shows that he truly cares about the Ojai community, especially when answering calls for service.

"He never forgets to take care of little things that affect the quality of life," Pentis said. "We had many outstanding candidates from this station, and it was a difficult choice to make. The one thing that put him over the top was his recent career development position in detectives, where he just enhanced his skills as a deputy. He hit the ground running, putting together some extremely complex cases in a very short time."

The Baughers live in Ventura with their two children, Taylor, 7, and Hunter, 5.

"His mom (Hope) and I are very proud of him. He's a good son, a great father and a good police officer," Larry Baugher concluded.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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