The Highest Honor





There is no greater tribute paid to those who have given their lives to serve the public than to be honored by the Sheriff’s Honor Guard. The Honor Guard attend various functions and ceremonies to demonstrate the Sheriff’s Office show of support for and to recognize the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers who have served and protected society.
Honor Guard members are sworn peace officers who have been specially chosen from all divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. Duties include providing funeral honors for officers who have been killed in the line of duty, as well as for those peace officers who have honorably retired from the department. The Honor Guard post the national, state and department colors at many community events, including departmental and regional law enforcement award ceremonies.
The Sheriff’s Office currently has 13 deputies assigned to the Honor Guard. These deputies train on a regular basis and are ready to conduct their duties at any time. It is a tradition for the Honor Guard to post colors at the Department Awards, H. Thomas Guerry awards, the Santa Maria Police Department’s Officers Memorial and the California State Officer’s Memorial in Sacramento.
Avoid. Deny. Defend.— Surviving an Active Shooter Event
SBSO X Feed
Detectives Continue Search for Missing Child, Melodee Buzzard :
Detectives are sharing another updated in the search for Melodee Buzzard. Last know sighting is now October 7th and search has been extended to as far as Nebraska. Read more here: https://www.sbsheriff.org/detectives-share-updated-timeline-in-ongoing-search-for-9-year-old-melodee-buzzard/
Update to Assault with a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Officer Involved Shooting:
Detectives Investigating Assault with a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Officer Involved Shooting. Read more here: https://www.sbsheriff.org/detectives-investigating-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon-resulting-in-officer-involved-shooting/
SBSO Instagram Feed
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to join deputies for Coffee with a Cop on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Kozy Coffee, 6560 Pardall Road in Isla Vista. ☕️👮🏽♀️
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to join deputies for Coffee with a Cop on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Kozy Coffee, 6560 Pardall Road in Isla Vista. ☕️👮🏽♀️ ...
Last Friday, Undersheriff Bonner and Chief Custody Deputy combined their culinary talents and cooked their way to glory tonight at the Navy League’s 7th Annual Chili Cookoff, held at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Their delicious concoction, combining Chief Vinny Wasilewski’s Wagu beef chili with Undersheriff Craig Bonner’s perfectly smoked beef brisket, took First Place AND they also won the award for the Best Chili Name - “Last Stand Chili,” in honor of their pending retirements.
Kudos to our dynamic duo! 🏆
Last Friday, Undersheriff Bonner and Chief Custody Deputy combined their culinary talents and cooked their way to glory tonight at the Navy League’s 7th Annual Chili Cookoff, held at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Their delicious concoction, combining Chief Vinny Wasilewski’s Wagu beef chili with Undersheriff Craig Bonner’s perfectly smoked beef brisket, took First Place AND they also won the award for the Best Chili Name - “Last Stand Chili,” in honor of their pending retirements.
Kudos to our dynamic duo! 🏆
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☕💬 Thanks to everyone who joined us for Coffee with a Cop at McDonald’s this morning! We loved the chance to share a cup of coffee, good conversation, and community connection. 💛👮♂️
#CoffeeWithACop #SBSheriff #SantaBarbaraCounty
☕💬 Thanks to everyone who joined us for Coffee with a Cop at McDonald’s this morning! We loved the chance to share a cup of coffee, good conversation, and community connection. 💛👮♂️
#CoffeeWithACop #SBSheriff #SantaBarbaraCounty
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💙🤝 Join us for Faith & Blue this October! These gatherings bring neighbors and deputies together for conversation, connection, and community.
📍 South County
Santa Barbara Community Church
1002 Cieneguitas Rd, Santa Barbara
📅 Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
📍 North County
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
4725 S. Bradley Rd, Orcutt
📅 Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
☕ Free coffee & light refreshments provided.
All are welcome—come build trust, break down barriers, and strengthen community together!
#FaithAndBlue #CommunityStrong #SBSheriff
💙🤝 Join us for Faith & Blue this October! These gatherings bring neighbors and deputies together for conversation, connection, and community.
📍 South County
Santa Barbara Community Church
1002 Cieneguitas Rd, Santa Barbara
📅 Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
📍 North County
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
4725 S. Bradley Rd, Orcutt
📅 Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
☕ Free coffee & light refreshments provided.
All are welcome—come build trust, break down barriers, and strengthen community together!
#FaithAndBlue #CommunityStrong #SBSheriff
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🚓 Week 1 of the Community Academy is off to a strong start! Participants dove into the History of the Sheriff’s Office and got an overview from Sheriff Bill Brown himself. ✅ The evening wrapped up with a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the Northern Branch Jail—an eye-opening experience into daily operations.
Stay tuned for more highlights from the coming weeks! #SBSheriff #CommunityAcademy #BehindTheBadge
🚓 Week 1 of the Community Academy is off to a strong start! Participants dove into the History of the Sheriff’s Office and got an overview from Sheriff Bill Brown himself. ✅ The evening wrapped up with a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the Northern Branch Jail—an eye-opening experience into daily operations.
Stay tuned for more highlights from the coming weeks! #SBSheriff #CommunityAcademy #BehindTheBadge
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🔬✨ Happy National Forensic Science Week! ✨🔬
This week, our talented Forensics Team was out in the community inspiring the next generation of scientists and investigators. 🧪👩🔬👨🔬 They visited three local schools to share what it’s like to turn curiosity into a career and how their work helps keep Santa Barbara County safe.
💡 From fingerprints to DNA, our forensic experts show students that science can solve mysteries and change lives.
#NationalForensicScienceWeek #Forensics #SBSheriff #Community
🔬✨ Happy National Forensic Science Week! ✨🔬
This week, our talented Forensics Team was out in the community inspiring the next generation of scientists and investigators. 🧪👩🔬👨🔬 They visited three local schools to share what it’s like to turn curiosity into a career and how their work helps keep Santa Barbara County safe.
💡 From fingerprints to DNA, our forensic experts show students that science can solve mysteries and change lives.
#NationalForensicScienceWeek #Forensics #SBSheriff #Community
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👮♂️☕ Join us for Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, October 7 from 8–10 a.m. at McDonald’s, 146 S. Fairview Ave. in Goleta.
Enjoy free McCafé coffee thanks to McDonald’s while you chat with our deputies in a casual setting. No agenda—just good coffee and conversation.
We hope to see you there!
#CoffeeWithACop #Goleta #Community
👮♂️☕ Join us for Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, October 7 from 8–10 a.m. at McDonald’s, 146 S. Fairview Ave. in Goleta.
Enjoy free McCafé coffee thanks to McDonald’s while you chat with our deputies in a casual setting. No agenda—just good coffee and conversation.
We hope to see you there!
#CoffeeWithACop #Goleta #Community
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**Update - this class is full! There will be future classes that we will share here ** 🚨 Go behind the scenes of law enforcement!
📅 Community Academy begins Oct. 2
⚠️ Space is limited – apply by Sept. 19!
👉 sbsheriff.org
**Update - this class is full! There will be future classes that we will share here ** 🚨 Go behind the scenes of law enforcement!
📅 Community Academy begins Oct. 2
⚠️ Space is limited – apply by Sept. 19!
👉 sbsheriff.org
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