DSA Fallen Officer Scholarship

The Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA) has been active in the Santa Cruz county area since created in 1978. The DSA’s original purpose was to act as a make-shift union to protect the Deputies from unfair labor practices. In 1980, the DSA became a fraternal non-profit organization dedicated to creating unity among the citizens of Santa Cruz County by organizing events that brought its citizens together.

Since the tragic deaths Santa Cruz Police Department Officers Baker and Butler on February 26th 2013, the DSA wanted to find a way to honor the memory of these Officers and one of Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office’s own fallen Deputies, Mike Gray who was killed in 1983. In order to convey these Officer’s spirit of improving the community, the DSA has created a scholarship fund which can be applied towards college tuition.

Due to the impact that these Officers death’s had directly on local law enforcement, the scholarships were open to the families of all law enforcement in the county, active or retired. The DSA understands that through these scholarships, they can assist young adults in their dreams, in the hope that they will come back to the community and help make it a better place.

Applicants submitted essays which were reviewed by several members of the DSA and judged. The following individuals were recognized as the winners due to their outstanding essays.

Trevor Carney was awarded a $1000 Scholarship in the name of fallen Deputy Mike Gray. Trevor is currently a junior at Sonoma State and in majoring in Administration of Justice and working as a police cadet.

Chelsea Medina was awarded a $1000 Scholarship in the name of fallen Officer Loran “Butch” Baker, Santa Cruz Police Department. Chelsea is majoring in Psychology at the University of Reno in Nevada. Chelsea plans to graduate and come back to the community and work with Officers and community members to deal with PTSD.