Officer Albert Matthies Remembered

Members of our Honor Guard paid tribute to Officer Albert Matthies last Friday, placing a wreath at his graveside. Officer Matthies is the only Arcadia Police Officer who has been killed in the line of duty. Officer Matthies was shot on July 18, 1927, and died early on July 19, 1927. The gravesite of Officer Matthies is located at Live Oak Memorial Park and there are plaques in his memory at APD and near Northview and Foothill where the shooting occurred. 

The Passing of Retired Police Chief Ronnie Garner

It is with great sadness we report the passing of Retired Police Chief Ronnie Garner. Chief Garner passed away Tuesday evening, July 16th, after a long hard-fought battle with prostate cancer.

Chief Garner had a distinguished law enforcement career, spanning over 30 years across three agencies, rising through the ranks to become the Deputy Chief at Beverly Hills Police Department and culminating as Chief of Police here in Arcadia.  Chief Garner was instrumental in starting the P.A.C.E. Unit (Peaceful Arcadia through Community Efforts) in late 1996.  As part of the unit, a substation was opened in the Westfield Shoppingtown Mall where officers administered the Department’s D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program and various community outreach efforts.  Chief Garner retired on September 9, 1999.

Ronnie was a proud Vietnam Veteran and beloved husband, father, and grandfather.  He was married to his cherished wife, Paula, for over 50 years.  He leaves an indelible legacy of admiration and respect with those who both knew and loved him, and will be deeply missed.

Services for Chief Garner will be held on Saturday, July 27th, 2019, as follows:

Funeral at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
2497 Cozy Hill Circle
Henderson, NV 89012
Viewing at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services at 11:00 a.m.

Graveside Service with Military Honors at 12:00 p.m.
Palm Mortuary - Eastern
7600 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89123

Our condolences go out to the entire Garner family.  Chief Garner was just a few months shy of his 75th Birthday.

Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies, 1900 - 1927

Today is the 92nd anniversary of the murder of Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies, the only Arcadia Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty. Officer Matthies was shot while detaining three young men near the intersection of Northview and Foothill in north Arcadia on July 18, 1927, shortly before midnight. Officer Matthies came upon the men inside a vehicle parked on Northview. Officer Matthies was unaware that the men were preparing to conduct a robbery at a business nearby. The rear seat passenger was Frank Miller. Miller pulled out a .45 cal handgun and shot at Matthies, striking him in the neck. Matthies later died from the gunshot wound at 12:07 AM on July 19, 1927.

Leo Bertolina, a friend of Matthies, was riding along that night in the police car. Bertolina was able to scramble away after being shot at and hit with flying glass from windows being struck by gunfire. Bertolina telephoned for additional police assistance. The trio of suspects got away that night but was later apprehended in Los Angeles within days. The three suspects were later convicted of the murder of Officer Matthies and sentenced to prison. The shooter died in prison. The two accomplices were later paroled and died shortly after release. 

The murder of Officer Matthies is memorialized at the following locations:

• Plaque memorial at Foothill Blvd/Northview Ave, Arcadia CA. Northview Avenue has been co-named Albert Matthies Way in honor of Officer Matthies.
• Los Angeles County Peace Officers Memorial, Whittier CA
• California Peace Officers Memorial, Sacramento CA
• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington DC
• Officer Down Memorial Page
• Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia CA
• Arcadia Police Department, Arcadia CA

Weekly Tip - See Arcadia Behind-the-Scenes

The City of Arcadia is offering a free, behind-the-scenes look into the City’s operations for Arcadia residents 18 years and older starting in September 2019.   This powerful community leadership program grants you an all-access pass that immerses you in the inner-workings of Arcadia’s City government. The Academy produces empowered, inspired, and engaged resident leaders who strengthen our community and play an active role in Arcadia’s future. 

"The Leadership Academy is a priceless opportunity to get to know your City and have your voice heard,” said a former Leadership Academy Graduate.  “The program helps residents learn more about the City’s operations and builds stronger ties between the City and its residents.”

The Academy takes place on Wednesday evenings over a period of nine weeks between September 11 and November 5 (Tuesday).  This exclusive access to the City will include one-of-a-kind tours of City facilities, hands-on demonstrations, meet and greets, and interactive presentations by executive leadership on the ins and outs of each City department. Dinner is also provided.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Arcadia like you’ve never seen it before.  Gain a new perspective on what it takes to be a premier organization that values service and excellence.  If you are interested in applying to be part of the fall program, please visit the City website at ArcadiaCA.gov/academy  for the current application.  Space is limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.  The deadline to apply is August 30, 2019. 

For additional information, please contact Laena Shakarian at lshakarian@ArcadiaCA.gov or 626-574-5434.

Weekly Tip - Reporting Quality of Life Issues

The City maintains a webpage dedicated to easy access to phone numbers, reporting links, and hotlines to assist residents and visitors. You can access the page HERE.

We promote "See Something, Say Something" when it comes to crime, and this same idea applies to problems like graffiti, shopping carts, or signals not properly working. Our officers report problems as they encounter them in the field, but you can greatly assist us in maintaining the quality of life by reporting issues as you see them in your neighborhood. For these types of issues or reporting non-emergency incidents, please call our Dispatchers at 626.574.5123.

If you happen to witness crimes in progress or there is an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Please do not report in progress or crime events via social media as we do not monitor the platforms 24/7.

We can all play a part in maintaining the great quality of life in Arcadia!

National Night Out is Almost Here!

Join us here at the Police Station on Tuesday, August 6th, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. for National Night Out! For questions of information on Neighborhood Block Parties, contact Community Affairs at 626.821.2648 or email CSO Mike Vercillo at mvercillo@arcadiaca.gov.

4th of July Pet Safety Info

Important information from our partners at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA:

July 5th is a busy day for the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and animal shelters around the country. The festivities we humans enjoy can be terrifying to our pets, and humane officers and concerned citizens bring countless dogs and cats—most of them exhausted and confused — to safety at animal shelters during and after the 4th of July holiday.

The safety and comfort of your pet require special attention. PHS offers the following recommendations to help keep your pet secure. 

•Do not take your pets with you to watch fireworks.

•Keep your pet inside during 4th of July celebrations. Many cats and dogs are frightened by the loud noises of fireworks and will be happier safely confined at home. Playing a radio may help diffuse the loud noise of fireworks.

•Be certain that your pet's ID tag is current. Update your pet's microchip information if necessary. A visible form of identification is the best way to ensure that your pet can be returned home to you.

•If you think your pet may become extremely agitated or stressed, consult your veterinarian and discuss the possibility of sedatives or overnight boarding. You may wish to call an animal behavior specialist to work with your pet but do this well in advance. 

•If your pet runs away, search the kennels of the shelter closest to you. Many shelters post photos of the animals that come into their facility on their website. The PHS website www.pasadenahumane.org is updated hourly so that lost animals may be quickly reunited with their lost owners. Post signs and visit nearby shelters for at least the next month. Animals can run a long way when they are badly frightened.

•If your cat is lost, it may stay in hiding for several days or weeks, so leave plenty of food and fresh water outside your door. (Pick it up at night so you don't attract unwanted wild animals.) Post signs and check your local and neighboring shelters in person and online; your description of your pet may fit several animals in the shelter.

Staff at the Pasadena Humane Society will be available from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 4th and again at 8:00 a.m. on July 5th so people can find their lost pets. 

The staff at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA wishes you and your pets have a very safe and happy 4th of July.

*PHS is is the primary Animal Care and Control provider for the City of Arcadia.