NewsPress Release -- March 31, 2010
Pechanga Public Safety Officers to be Honored by Riverside County Sheriff
Five Pechanga officers and a dispatcher cited for bravery and quick action in assault on Sheriff's Deputy
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department will formally recognize six Pechanga Resort & Casino Public Safety Team Members tonight at the Riverside Convention Center for their involvement in subduing a suspect who attacked a Sheriff's Deputy during a struggle inside a Pechanga parking garage last December. The recognition will take place during the Sheriff's Annual Awards Ceremony.
The suspect in the attack was identified as James Francis Deck of San Diego. Deck is accused of entering the parking garage in an attempt to evade a traffic stop on Pechanga Parkway. Deck, pursued on foot by the Sheriff's Deputy, knocked the officer to the ground and grabbed for the officer's handgun.
Pechanga surveillance dispatcher Rebecca Brey was monitoring surveillance cameras that day when she caught a split-second of the chase and immediately alerted public safety officers on the ground. Rebecca followed the pursuit and relayed the location of the incident to the officers.
DPS bike officers Ghous Askarzoi, Shannon Beltz, Shaun Corter, Gerald Castle and James McKaye immediately responded and subdued the suspect. Only minor injuries were sustained by the deputy, the officers and the suspect.
"The outcome could have been quite different if not for the valor of the deputy, one of our patrons, and these public safety officers," said Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. "The vigilance of our surveillance officer, which spotted the chase while monitoring multiple cameras, allowed for a quick response."
Macarro further stated, "For Pechanga, public safety is our number one priority. We are proud and grateful to everyone that assisted with the incident."
Please contact Nicole Roberts at Sheriff's Administration for more information on the ceremony at (951) 955-2469 or nroberts@riversidesheriff.org.