RALPH W. MARTIN PROMOTED TO COMMANDER
Ralph W. Martin, a native of Rochester, Minnesota, and a 30-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, was recently promoted to the rank of Commander by Sheriff Lee Baca, and assumed command of the Department’s Region II Patrol Division. Region II oversees the Compton, Century, Carson, Lomita, Lennox, Marina del Rey and West Hollywood Stations, as well as security for the MTA, which includes Red, Blue, Green and Gold Lines, and all Metrolink trains. Additionally, he will oversee security for nine junior college campuses under the Community College Bureau.
Commander Martin's career with the Sheriff's Department began in 1973, when he attended the Department’s Training Academy. After graduating as a Deputy Sheriff, his first assignments were to the Inmate Reception Center, Firestone Station, and the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. In 1983, he was promoted to Sergeant and served at the San Dimas Station, Temple Station, Field Operations Region I Headquarters, and Field Operations Region III Headquarters. Upon being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1990, he took on assignments at Pitchess Detention Center (East Facility), Antelope Valley Station, Crescenta Valley Station, and Field Operations Region I Headquarters. In January of 2000, Commander Martin was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Crescenta Valley Station.
Commander Martin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts Degree in Communications from Pepperdine University. He resides in Coto de Caza with his wife, Colleen, of 28 years, a doctor of optometry with a practice in Montrose. They have six children, including Sean, 27, who graduated from the United States Air Force School of Medicine on May 15, 2004; Ryan, 25, a chief financial analyst for a company in San Francisco; Kevin, 22, a student at U.C. Irvine; Megan, 18, also a freshman at Saddleback College; Brendan, 14, a freshman at Santa Margarita High School; and Michael, 11, an elementary school student. In his spare time, Captain Martin enjoys reading, golf, running, and coaching youth sports.
SHB-43A-04
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June 2, 2004
