The regular #ICYMI feature is a listing of notable incidents involving the California Highway Patrol over the past couple of weeks, including the arrival of a new class of cadets at the CHP Academy, a missing man found safe and uninjured, CHP K-9 doing ‘Champion’ work, a return to duty following a serious injury earns an officer a ‘tree-mendous’ gift, and Deputy Commissioner Troy Lukkes retires after 30 years.
New Cadets Welcomed
On July 22, the CHP welcomed 123 new cadets to its Academy to begin their training to become an officer. Known as “pick-up day,” it is the cadets’ first encounter with the CHP Academy’s recruit training officers, who will help guide them during their 26 weeks of training. As part of the ongoing recruitment campaign, the CHP has been holding three Academy classes simultaneously for the first time in the Department’s history. For more information about a lifechanging career with the CHP, visit the website and register for the August 3 hiring seminar at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
Missing Hiker Located
Following an exhaustive multi-day search, a 70-year-old missing man was located near Hell Hole Reservoir, 10 miles west of Lake Tahoe in Placer County. Hundreds of search and rescue personnel and aircraft from the CHP, Placer County, El Dorado County and the Army National Guard participated in the days long search. Their diligent efforts paid off. On July 24, five days after he went missing, Warren Elliot managed to flag down a boater in the area. The boater called 9-1-1 and a helicopter from the CHP’s Valley Division responded to the scene and transported him to safety. He is currently recuperating from exhaustion and dehydration.
Meth Found At Traffic Stop
Golden Gate Division’s K-9 “Champ” and his handler were patrolling State Route 29 in Napa County earlier this month when the officer conducted an enforcement stop on a driver for tailgating. During the contact, Champ was deployed to investigate the vehicle for the odor of controlled substances. Almost immediately, Champ signaled the presence of drugs to his handler. During a search of the vehicle, approximately 70 pounds of suspected methamphetamine was located, with a street value of roughly $250,000.
“Tree-Mendous” Return To Service
In January 2023, CHP Officer Donovan Givens was injured when a tree fell on him while investigating a crash on State Route 17 during a rainstorm. The unfortunate incident occurred on the officer’s second day of field training. Sixteen months later, a fully recovered Officer Givens returned to duty, eager to resume serving the people of California. Upon his arrival, a cross section of the tree was presented to Officer Givens, bearing the signatures of all fellow officers from the San Jose Area office.
Deputy Commissioner Retires
On July 25, CHP Deputy Commissioner Troy Lukkes’ law enforcement career came to an end exactly where it began 30 years ago. Before riding off into retirement, Commissioner Lukkes headed out on patrol one final time from the CHP’s Baldwin Park Area office and had his last call signing off, known as “10-10.”
