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11/27/2005

I was contacted today by Anthony Spatola who informed me there will be a coming home party for Richie Sanchez:

December 1st, Thursday at Cirivellos Sports Bar in Long Beach, 4155 Viking Way.

Starts at 1500 hours!

11/22/2005

Richie was moved today. He can NO longer be reached at the 951-569-4400(10256#) number. Use his cell phone number. I will update you as I learnnew information.-----Original Message-----From: Jensen, Douglas C. Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:47 PMTo: OSS BUREAU (Operation Safe Streets)Subject: Richie Sanchez recovering in El PasoHi all. I just wanted to give an update on Richie Sanchez. I spoke with himyesterday, 11-14-05, for over an hour. Richie is in good spirits, but wantsto come home. The doctors don't seem to know what to do with him right now.He is cooped up in the hospital on Ft. Bliss in El Paso Texas. I havefamily there that went to visit him. They took a few photos, which I haveattached.Richie has a new cell phone which he can use while in the hospital andwelcomes any and all calls. (626)484-2107.His hospital #(915)569-4400 when answered dial 10256#. He is in room #7029.Help Richie keep his spirits up and give him a call.John A. Munoz, DirectorEl Paso DHLSCU. S. Small Business Administration915-633-7115-----Original Message-----From: Munoz, John A. Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 8:15 AMTo: 'Artbc2000@msn.com'Subject: MVC-005S.JPG Art, Here are the pictures of Richard I hope you get them okay. MVC-005S.JPG <>

A message from Richie Sanchez:

Hello Everyone, First I would like to thank all who sent me information regarding goodback/neck surgeons. I am still waiting on conformation as to when they willbe shipping me to the states, as it looks right now unless I come up with agood Doctor, I will be forced to get my surgery at Fort Sam Houston, HoustonTexas.. I am currently undergoing physical therapy, three to four times aweek. It has helped. The Doctor told me it seems that my two disc's aresetting back into place, however it is only temporary..By the disc settingback into place, it allows pressure off my nerves and reduces my twitchingand speech impediment...I plan on being home by the third week of November(Get to eat some real turkey)...I will have to have decided prior to, if Iam going to have my own surgeon or let the military operate...Prior to thesurgery they will give me three weeks to settle in the states at which timeI will go and get my second/third opinion.....so I hope to be home forthanksgiving. However this comes at a great loss for me. As some of you guys/gals haveheard on the news. My platoon/unit has taken a great blow. From September 15till the 22nd, I regret to inform you that I lost all my guys with theexception of two (myself and a driver),,yes I lost a total of 14 men inseven days, un-heard of in this war..it appeared that we were hot on aninsurgent cell working out of our sector, they decided to strike back withgreat fury...the time line goes as follows:11 Sept.- We received information of a big attack (911). We were all orderedto go on patrol, we packed several American flags and draped them over ourvehicles and went out on patrol..the flag on my vehicle was shipped to Capt.Ford and Safe Street Bureau. We encountered small arms fire but I think theywere intimidated by our presence.14 Sept.- I decided to go back out the wire and contact an informant in oursector. I am limited to my patrol time (almost none) due to my injury. Iearned the job of Intelligence SGT...I developed some good informants insector who wanted to speak to me. As we were en-route a good size IED wentoff by my truck door, rattled my head and my crew but we continued mission.Never got to meet with the informant.15 Sept.- Go back out to re-contact the informant, we spot three vehiclesfleeing from us at a high rate of speed. After a short pursuit, we detainone of the guys and arrest him. As we head back to base my lead truck drivesover 3x155mm rockets (40pds of explosives) the IED goes off underneath thedriver, sending a 10 ton, HUM VEE ten feet in the air upside down, itejected everyone out of the truck with the exception of the driver. Thetruck landed in a ditch twenty feet down and upside down...there were fourof my soldiers in the truck,,the Driver (Killed)/ Front Passenger (GermanyMajor facial lacerations)/ Rear Passenger (Germany lost Both legs from theknees down)/ Gunner (Germany Broken Vertebrate/Neck Paralyzed)..I would gointo details but I prefer not too. It was an unbelievable site.20 Sept.- Memorial for fallen soldier Alfredo Silva21 Sept.- I am now upset and violated all orders regarding my patrol timerestrictions/ injury and head out with my guys. (These are my men, to some Ihave been their SGT. for over 8 years) At 2300 hrs. our track vehicle (minitank M113) gets hit with a EFP high tech. explosive imported from Iran.Kills my radio guy and 5 go to Germany with missing limbs. Sets the track ablaze with troops trapped inside, we managed to get them out before theammunition cooks off, causing more injuries.22 Sept.- On our way to raid the possible trigger man, my second track hitsa land mine, flipping the track and killing my driver and the gunner..3others go to Germany with missing limbs.22 Sept.- 01 October, Company shuts down while we negotiate a new sector, wereceive replacements from the states (First day in country). We switch someof the guys from other platoons around..One of the replacements form thestates is Deputy Jose Carbajal (Altadena)..I now have three Lasd Deputies inmy platoon Dep. Scott Reyna (MCJ) and Joseph Serna (MCJ)..For a total offour. 02 Oct.- Out for the first time in our new sector, when my third track getshit with 82lbs of explosives. It sends track in the air and on it's side.All six soldiers go to Germany to include three who arrived two daysago..one on a ventilator...all the deputies are okay none were hurt.As it stands now, things have calmed down, however we are expecting a upriseon election day 15th October, plus we are in the holly month right now.....Yes, I have taken a major lost, I am at a lost for words..I am feeling muchbetter now with the new guys, but there is always emptiness in my heart whenI close my eyes and think of a reason as to why this has happened....Irefuse to stay in the base, these are my men and I will fight with them tothe end even if it cost me my own life..I still find time to meet myappointments. As my Battalion Commander would say "For such a small person,where do you find such courage." I told him, "Sir, we all have courage. IfI had none before, I found courage during these past few weeks loosing myentire platoon, seeing my soldiers/brothers die in my arms." My men weretrue Heros not us, at least not yet. People tend to us this word loosely,but you really don't know the meaning until you have gone through somethinglike we have experienced......Take care everyone, I'm not sure when I will get the chance to type anotherletter again, patrols have picked up....so sorry for such a long e-mail...God Bless!For the Compton OSS crew I spoke to John Lonergan, he heard about all thathas happened, he is fine and is at GTMO (Cuba) until April. I look at thepicture Steve gave me of our first Christmas together. I look at the pictureand say to myself, "Well at least I have you guys."Hope to see you soon...........Please

11/13/2005

We again regret to inform you, the father of former Compton P.D. Evidence officer Ray Hernandez has died. Our hearts and prayers go to you and your family!

11/11/2005

We regret to inform you that we lost another Hubster; James Lonnie Carter. Carter served on our department from 11-1970 to 8-74.

Red Mason informs us that the viewing will be Monday, 11/14, from 3pm – 9pm at Angeles Mortuary on 35th & Crenshaw. Funeral service to be Tuesday @ 13:30 hrs., same location.

11/06/2005

The re-union was a great time, all you that missed it, should really try to go next year. In the next weeks, we will be posting photos from the re-union, so check them out. Betty did a great job putting it together!!

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