Also read: Captain David Leask Named 2012 Santee Firefighter of the Year
Deputy Albert "Anthony" Abutin was selected as the 2012 Deputy of the year at the Santee Chamber of Commerce award ceremony.
Deputy Abutin has consistently performed his duties in an exemplary manner as a Deputy Sheriff and the School Resource Officer for schools in the Santee command. He is a good conduit and communicator to the students he deals with at the schools. His investigations are thorough and well written and have resulted in numerous arrests.
During this year, Deputy Abutin was responsible for obtaining information on a local drug dealer who was involved in distributing drugs to minors. Abutin frequently takes on the task of teaching the students in the community on various topics which have included search and seizure, Fourth Amendment rights, and careers in law enforcement.
Deputy Abutin is the Senior Deputy Explorer Advisor for the Santee Station. He works with juveniles who are interested in a career in law enforcement, and mentors them while performing his own duties. He plans and participates in curfew and truancy sweeps which have consistently shown to reduce crime and protect the children in the community.
Deputy Abutin responded to several significant events during this year. This included a two year old baby who passed away on Christmas Eve, in which he was able to assist in providing peer support for the other deputies who responded to a very difficult scene. He was in charge of the planning for an operation in which many deputies worked a security detail around the schools in this area when a threat of violence was reported following the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Lastly, Deputy Abutin responded to the shooting of two Deputy Sheriff's in Lakeside on September 25, 2012. He was very close to the scene when shots rang out. He heard the call for assistance and immediately responded to the scene. This incident was one of the most significant shooting events involving Deputies in the department's history, which involved an approximate fifteen minute gun battle. Deputy Abutin as part of a team was instrumental in the rescue of both Deputy Perez and Sgt. Johnson. Deputy Abutin among other put their lives in danger while making the rescue of his fellow comrades. The bravery displayed during this incident was amazing. The quick response by Deputy Abutin and his partners saved the lives of both Sgt. Johnson and Detective Perez.
Submitted by the Santee Sheriff Station
