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SANTA ANA POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION <br /> 1607 NORTH SYCAMORE SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92701-3513 <br /> [714] 836-1211 FAX[714] 836-6108 <br /> August 18, 2025 <br /> Dear Mayor Amezcua and Honorable City Council Members, <br /> On behalf of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, I am writing to express our strong <br /> support for Agenda Item 25—the proposal to rename the Santa Ana PAAL Center on <br /> McFadden Avenue in honor of former Santa Ana Police Officer Jose Vargas. <br /> Officer Vargas' story is a remarkable testament to the American Dream. Arriving in this <br /> country as a teenager, he began his journey working in the farm fields of Orange County. <br /> Determined to build a better future, he went back to school to learn English, earn a college <br /> degree, and ultimately became a police officer at the age of 34 in the City of Stanton—one of <br /> the first Latino officers in Orange County. In 1975, he joined the Santa Ana Police Department, <br /> where he proudly served for 22 years before retiring in 1997. <br /> During his tenure with SAPD, Officer Vargas was a pioneer in community policing and a mentor <br /> to many within the department. As one of the first Latino officers in Santa Ana, he helped pave <br /> the way for greater diversity in law enforcement. Today, the majority of SAPD officers are <br /> Latino, and our current Chief is an immigrant himself—further reflecting the legacy Officer <br /> Vargas helped to build. <br /> Officer Vargas' impact extends beyond his own career. His commitment to service inspired two <br /> of his sons and two grandchildren to follow in his footsteps into law enforcement. Renaming <br /> the PAAL Center in his honor would not only recognize his contributions but also serve as a <br /> source of inspiration for the youth who participate in PAAL programs. His story is one of <br /> resilience, service, and leadership—values we hope will continue to shape future generations. <br /> This recognition is long overdue, and we look forward to seeing his name proudly displayed on <br /> the PAAL Center. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> a .. . <br /> JOHN KACHIRISKY <br /> PRESIDENT <br /> SANTA ANA POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION <br /> JK/mw <br />