Chief of Police
Scott R. Loughner
We congratulate Chief Loughner on being selected as our Department’s 13th Chief of Police. With an impressive 25 years of service, Chief Loughner’s appointment marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional public safety and community-focused policing. His leadership will guide the Department as we continue to uphold our core values of integrity, respect, and service.
Jesus Aguilera, Police Aide I January 16
Travis A. O’Gorman, Police Officer February 19
Emiliano A. Baltazar, Police Officer Recruit March 5
Ashley M. Poole, Police Records Specialist I April 2
Levi R. Enriquez, Police Aide I April 29
Edward Kelly, Police Officer 960 (P/T) April 30
John H. Chae, Police Officer May 27
Javier Bonilla, Park Ranger May 27
Lauren E. Ortega, Communications Operator June 10
Francisco A. Corona, Police Aide I August 19
Kelly H. Portillo, Crime Analyst August 19
Kevin E. Alfaro, Police Aide I September 2
Natalie J. Lopez, Police Aide I September 2
Alyssa Uscanga, Police Aide I September 2
Christopher Meza, Police Aide I October 14
Margaret Dutot, Police Records Specialist I October 28
Lucky L. Wardell, Police Officer November 13
Fatima Venegas, Police Records Specialist I November 25
Vanessa N. Cervantes, Police Records Specialist I November 25
Daniel A. Munoz, Police Aide I November 27
Alyssa Y. Ventura, Police Aide I November 27
Enrique Torres, Jr., Police Officer December 16
Jorge L. Arias, Police Officer Recruit December 23
Anthony J. Navarro Torres, Police Officer Recruit December 23
Michelle M. Pina, Police Records Specialist I January 11
Maquech Lizarraga, Police Officer February 7
Victoria Z. Favela, Police Records Specialist I February 15
Alejandro Santamaria, Police Officer February 15
Anthony A. Pulido, Police Officer April 13
Alex Y. Diaz-Morejon, Parking Enforcement Officer May 13
Sebastian Payares, Police Officer May 21
Matthew Zeng, Police Aide I July 3
Carolyn Loi-Young, System Network Engineer October 1
Jesus Aguilera, Police Aide 1 October 26
Ivan H. Rodriguez, Corporal November 15
Alyssa Uscanga, Police Aide I November 21 5
Our K-9 Unit Holtz, Arya, Rex and Zeke plays a vital role in both enforcement and community engagement. While these highly trained K-9s assist in drug detection and suspect apprehension, they also make a tremendous impact through public demonstrations at community events and local schools. These interactions provide an up-close look at their skills while strengthening the bond between our department and the community.
As a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, we participated in Operation Online Guardian 2.0 during the month of August. During an investigation conducted by Downey Detectives, a 28-year-old Chino Hills resident was identified and arrested for being in possession of over 2,400 images and 400 videos of child pornography.
In Memory of Fernando “El Toro” Valenzuela and in Honor of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Chief Loughner authorized the Department to wear Dodger hats to represent LA!
Since 2019, our Narcotics Team has been involved in a collaborative investigation with multiple law enforcement agencies, led by the DEA, targeting an illicit banking system operated by Chinese nationals servicing the Sinaloa and Jalisco Drug Cartels. The DEA investigation recently concluded with significant results, including the seizure of approximately $5 million in narcotic proceeds, 302 pounds of cocaine, 92 pounds of methamphetamine, 3,000 Ecstasy pills, 44 pounds of psilocybin (magic mushrooms), numerous ounces of ketamine, three semi-automatic rifles with high-capacity magazines, and eight semi-automatic handguns. This successful operation underscores the commitment of our Department and our partners in combatting organized crime and ensuring public safety.
In July , the Detective Bureau added a Mural Painting to illustrate the job of a Detective. The Mural Artist , Courtney Ware, was able to capture some of our Department’s History by including past and present Police Vehicles. We also have some avid baseball fans amongst us and if you look close enough you will find a hidden baseball. Can you find it?
During Public Service Recognition Week, our dedicated Dispatchers proudly shared that public service is “A Calling.” Being called to public service means having a deep commitment to helping others, often in times of crisis and uncertainty. Our Dispatchers embody this calling every day, serving as the critical lifeline between the community and emergency responders. Their dedication, professionalism, and compassion ensure that help is always just a call away, making a profound difference in the lives of those we serve.
The Department’s first annual summer picnic provided a great opportunity for employees and their families to come together in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. This event fostered camaraderie, strengthened relationships, and promoted overall well-being among our personnel. By creating moments for officers and staff to connect outside of work, we reinforce the importance of teamwork and support.
On November 18, 2024, friends and family of Ricky Galvez participated in a 5K memorial run. After the run, breakfast was provided by La Carniceria Meat Market in the north parking lot. Lots of stories and memories of Ricky were shared.
Neighborhood Watch continues to be a great crime intervention program in which residents become proactive in organizing their neighbors to work together in creating a plan to report suspicious activity, crime, or prepare an emergency plan for their immediate residential block. At the end of 2024, there were 246 registered neighborhood watch groups throughout the City of Downey. The neighborhood watch program allows communication and interaction between neighbors, and most importantly between residents and our Department.
Our annual holiday open house welcomed employees and their families for a festive and meaningful celebration. This event provided a special opportunity for families to tour the station, see where their loved ones work, and participate in holiday activities that brought joy to all. By fostering a sense of connection and appreciation, the open house strengthened the bond between our department and the families who support our officers and staff throughout the year.
We are proud to honor the winners of this year’s Holiday Greeting Card Contest.
On December 15th, our Department participated in the Crime Survivors “Toys for Survivors” Program. This program is designed to help families and children in need during the Holiday season who are victims of crime. This year toys were donated from members of the Department, the Kaiser Indy Park facility, and from Penske Toyota. This is our second year participating in the program and we hope to continue spreading Christmas joy to victims in need. 9
Chief of Police
Loughner, Scott R.**
Executive Secretary to the Chief of Police
Rosales, Yvonne D.
Executive Secretary
Cervantes, Momi N.
Lieutenant
Clemann, Melissa K.
Sergeant
Lofquist, Drew A.
Valenzuela, Blanca R.
Special Enforcement Team
Izaguirre, Kimberly J.
Lopez-Carrillo, Oscar I., Cpl.
Neighborhood Watch
Coordinator
Arroyo, Stephanie
Training Coordinator P/T
Chavers, Alexandra M.
Police Officer Recruit
Arias, Jorge
Corona, Francisco A.**
Enriquez, Levi R.**
Navarro Torres, Anthony
Systems Management
Network Engineer
Pelayo, Ernesto
IT Technician P/T
Urubio, Joseph
Records Supervisor
Burkhardt, Jennifer
Police Records Specialist I
Casas, Vanessa L.
Cervantes, Vanessa P/T
Dutot, Margaret P/T
Grimaldi, Yvette
Henson, Jessica W., P/T
Jaeger, Sheranne C. P/T
Mejia, Sara E. P/T
Melendrez, Tatiana
Molina-Olmedo, Reyna A.
Moreno, Karen S.
Poole, Ashley M.
Shepard, Brittni M. P/T
Venegas, Fatima
Williams, Lynette P/T (960)
Police Officer P/T (960)
Kelly, Edward
Mendoza, Kathleen M.
Police Aide I P/T
Alonzo, Natalie
Facility Dog
Howdy
Chaplain Volunteer
Guerra, Mario A.
Kravig, Glenn
Welch, Gregory L.
Volunteer
Duran, Franz A.
Kapadia, Aban H.
Marquez, Jorge
Minnig, Janet
Mok, Arturo
Rodriguez, Manuel J.
Toussieng, Jeffrey B.
Vallejo, Jose
Wood, Jeannie A.
Police Records Specialist II
Audelo, Patricia A.
Pungdumri, Viyarat
Quemada, Marlene D.
Captain
Villegas, Maria A.**
Secretary
Duran, Lorena R.
Lieutenant
Doyle, Dustin R.
Sergeant
Caswell, Mark A.
Garcia, Richard Jr.
Prentice, Justin E.
Weinrich, Nathan T.
Investigator
Aguilar, Alberto, Cpl.
Asevo, Russell A., Cpl.
Chaidez, Bryan, Cpl.
Estrada, Jason R., Cpl.
Flores, Mario R., Cpl.
Gallo, David, Cpl.
Gee, Rhonald E., Cpl.
Hempe, Erik A., Cpl.
Hill, Megan W., Cpl.
Larini, Mark C., Cpl.
Miller, Calvin M., Cpl.
Mrotz, Michael J., Cpl.**
Orduno, Christian A.
Pinal, Christopher D., Cpl.
Polomik, Bryan D.
Roberts, Ethan L., Cpl.
Trinidad, Mario C., Cpl.**
Valdez, Jose A., Cpl.**
Villa, Gerardo M., Cpl.
Crime Analyst
Portillo, Kelly H.
School Resource Officer
Garcia, Michelle
Bejines, Carlos H., Cpl.
Forensic Supervisor
Cole, Leisure L.
Forensic Specialist
Cruz, Jocelyn J.
Marroquin, Leonor A.
Pominville, Jean M.
Tobar, Yisel E. P/T
Community Service Officer Perez, Alicia
Property/Evidence Technician
Tanori, Cathleen A.
Office Assistant I P/T Bustamante, Susana P.
Chew-Fernandez, Maile S.
Police Aide I P/T Fortune, Jackson D.
Captain
Parino, Michael V.
Secretary
Pelayo-Morales, Veronica
Lieutenant
Rosario, Vincent R.
Edwards, Douglas P.**
Irizabal, Alejandro M.
Kurtz, Christopher J.**
Sergeant
Brown, Joanne M.
Clark, Alaina**
Daniel, John S.
Honrath, Austin T.**
Klevos, Jason P.
Lockwood, Todd M.
McCarthy, Timothy
Pelayo, Jaime J.
Van, David A.
Traffic Investigator
Runyan, Scott I., Cpl.
Special Operations
Hernandez, Michael F.
Motor Officer
Ampudia, Nathan M.
Bassi, Matthew P., Cpl.
Chavarria, Tyler L.
Gil, Jacob R.
Matute, Robert Villegas, Angel Jr., Cpl.
Patrol Officer
Arriaga, Kalene M.
Avila, Adan
Baltazar, Emiliano
Barajas, Jose L., Cpl.
Cantero, Anthony
Castillo, Ray B.
Castro, Manuel A.
Chae, John
Diaz, Ralph A. Jr., Cpl.
Falk, Chase G.
Flores, Beatrice
Garcia, Arturo M
Garcia, Gabriel A.
16
Gazdik, Andrew
Gomez, Jose J., Cpl.
Gomez, Louie
Hernandez, Alejandro C.
Hernandez, Luis D.
Hinojosa, Salvador R.
Igawa, Corey
Jimenez, Wendy
Kroese, Kristopher F., Cpl.
Lee-Isais, Mario
Maciel, Ruby
Maher, Christopher L., Cpl.
Mendoza-Rios, Daniel
Milosevich, Marko C., Cpl.
Mondragon, Kevin A.
Navarro, Clarissa
Nenadal, James R., Cpl.
O’Gorman, Travis A.
Olivares, Daniel M., Cpl.
Ortega, Damien E., Cpl.
Pagnotta, Allison L.
Parkyun, Jin
Parkyun, Jun
Patronas, Sofia, Cpl.
Quintero, Michael
Ramirez, Jonathan J.
Ramirez, Robert
Renteria, David A.
Reyes, Blanca J., Cpl.
Rodriguez, Alejandro M. Jr., Cpl.
Romo, Enrique J., Cpl.
Ruiz, Yvette A.
Sanchez, Danny
Skoll, Patrick J.
Smith, Rebeca
Sy, Roger E., Cpl.
Torres, Enrique Jr.
Ugarte, Victor
Valdivia, Jorge A.
Valles, Mario M.
Wardell, Lucky
Wallace, Lucile A.
Zamora, Whinkler Jr., Cpl.
Zepeda, Anthony
Zuniga, Alejandro, Cpl.**
Community Service Officer
Barrientos, Andrew**
Medina, Luis
Metoyer, Toshiba M.
Communications Supervisor
Flinn, Brian M.
Communications Operator
Ankeney, Irene A.
Buenrostro, Ana G.
Butler, Sheri Beth G. P/T
Casados, Lisa M.
Diaz, Cerissa M. P/T
Duran, Natalie E.
Mendoza, Gabrielle**
Munoz, Brandon M.
Ortega, Lauren E.
Perez, Eleana
Pinedo-De La Riva, Melina
Ruiz, Marisa F.
Salazar, Maribel
Schulte, Marilyn
Villagrana, Crystal M.
Wells, Margarita M. P/T
Ziemer, Melinda K. P/T
Parking Enforcement
Birgen, Nataly L.**
Marquez, Karen E.**
Vidrio, Xiomara
Park Ranger P/T
Bonilla, Javier
Office Assistant P/T
Lara, Diana P.
Police Aide I P/T
Alfaro, Kevin Chavers, Cydney A.
Lopez, Natalie
Meza, Christopher
Munoz, Daniel
Tinoco, Nairet
Ventura, Alyssa
K-9
Arya Holtz Rex Zeke
Saenz, Citlalic M.** ** Promotions/Reclassifications in 2024
Crime Analyst Kelly Portillo joined our Department in August 2024. Prior to working for the Department, Kelly served as the Senior Lead Analyst for the Los Angeles Regional Criminal Information Clearinghouse (LA CLEAR). In that role, Kelly provided real-time officer safety deconfliction for law enforcement personnel during their field operations and offered criminal investigative support to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies within the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (LA HITDA).
Kelly possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the California State University of Los Angeles. During her four years at LA CLEAR, Kelly developed skills in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence information through statistical reports. Kelly also received extensive training in various law enforcement and open-source databases and software. Kelly’s expertise in criminal analysis and her professional connections have played a vital role in criminal apprehension. Kelly looks forward to continuing to support investigations with us for many years to come.
We built our first “Soft Interview Room” in 2024. This interview room was built for the purpose of interviewing child victims and adult victims of assault. The room is a combination of a child centered design and adult comfort design. The intention behind this room was to minimize further trauma to both children and adult victims by creating a supportive environment where they feel heard and safe to disclose information. The interviews are recorded and documented meticulously to ensure the information gathered is legally admissible in court.
Our newly formed Police Recruitment Team is a dedicated group of officers responsible for actively seeking out and attracting potential candidates to serve our community and become police officers. The teams key responsibilities include; developing recruitment strategies, creating plans to reach a wide range of potential candidates, hosting career fairs, and attending community engagement activities to showcase our Department and attract potential recruits.
Captain
Field Operations
Michael V. Parino
Secretary
Lieutenants
Field Operations
Douglas P. Edwards
Vincent R. Rosario
Alejandro M. Irizabal
Christopher J. Kurtz
Sergeants
Field Operations
Joanne M. Brown
Alaina Clark
John S. Daniel
Austin T. Honrath
Jason P. Klevos
Todd M. Lockwood
Timothy McCarthy
Jamie J. Pelayo
David A. Van
Police Corporals
Police Officers
Park Rangers
Sergeant
Special Operations
Michael F. Hernandez
Motors
Traffic Investigator
Parking Enforcement
Sweeper Enforcement
Community Service Officers
Office Assistant
Police Aides
Supervisor
Communications
Brian Flinn
Communication Operators
Scott R. Loughner
Secretary to the Chief of Police
Lieutenant
Administrative Services
Melissa K. Clemann
Executive Secretary
Sergeant
Administrative Services
Blanca R. Valenzuela
Special Enforcement Team
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
Police Officer Recruits
Police Aide
Volunteers
Chaplains
Facility Dog
Sergeant
Professional Standards
Drew A. Lofquist
Office Assistant I
Training Coordinator
Police Officer 960
Supervisor
Records Bureau
Jennifer Burkhardt
Records Specialists
Information
Network Engineers
IT Technicians
Captain Detective Bureau
Maria A. Villegas
Secretary
Lieutenant Investigations
Dustin R. Doyle
Sergeant
Crimes Against Persons
Mark A. Caswell
Detectives
Sergeant
Crimes Against Property
Richard Garcia Jr.
Detectives
Crime Analyst
School Resource Officers
Police Officer 960
Office Assistant I
Police Aide I
Sergeant
L.A. Impact
Nathan T. Weinrich
Sergeant
Narcotics/Gang Detail
Justin E. Prentice
Detectives
Supervisor
Forensics
Leisure L. Cole
Forensic Specialists
Property/Evidence Technician
In May, members of our community participated in the annual Touch a Truck event that is put on by Public Works. Officers from our Department participated by taking our SWAT truck, k-9 unit, and motorcycles to provide adults and children the opportunity to interact and explore our patrol vehicles.
National Night Out is a crime prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, which is celebrated across the United States the first Tuesday in August every year. This fun event is for families to come together and interact with members of the police department and various informational booths. We offer free food and refreshments for the community as well as a live band and entertainment for the kids.
Shop with a Cop is a special event where our Department’s personnel partner with local children for a memorable holiday shopping experience. Officers accompany the children as they pick out gifts, creating positive connections while spreading holiday cheer. This event is incredibly meaningful for our personnel, allowing them to give back to the community in a personal and impactful way. Seeing the joy on the childrens’ faces makes this one of the most rewarding events of the year, reinforcing the spirit of generosity and service.
For the 9th year in a row, the Department participated in the Pink Patch Project. Over $5,500 was raised this year which was donated to City of Hope for cancer research. We were also able to support two families who were currently fighting cancer.
The Department’s Kids and Cops event provides our local students with the opportunity to interact with our officers and professional staff. This year the Department visited with students at Doty Middle School, Mary R. Stauffer Middle School, and Sussman Middle School. Attendees were encouraged to join officers in playing games.
During the Day of the Reader event, Howdy and Sgt. Valenzuela had the opportunity to spend quality time with students at Unsworth Elementary School. Our officers always look forward to this annual event and enjoy reading to our Downey students.
Members of the 25th Annual Citizens Academy class enjoyed learning about our Department in an interactive 10-week program. The Citizens Academy teaches members of our community what it is like to work for a police department. Attendees learn from our dispatchers, patrol officers, detectives and other specialized details such as k-9 unit, SWAT Team and more. Members also have the opportunity to sign -up for a ride-along.
Our Department, along with members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) participated in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative. Community members dropped off over 404.95 pounds of potentially dangerous, expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs. All of the collected items were turned over to the DEA for safe disposal.
Students of the 4th Annual Youth Academy class had the opportunity to interact and learn from our dispatchers, patrol officers, detectives and other specialized details such as the explorer program, and our School Resource Officers.
SWAT team members attended 134 hours of training throughout the year, including 10 hours of monthly training and a bi-annual 24-hour recertification. During this year's recertification, team members received training from renowned law enforcement attorney Gene Ramirez on liability and risk management. Team members also received training from two members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau. The SWAT team assisted with four search/arrest warrant operations throughout the year. SWAT team members also assisted on various patrol incidents that unfolded throughout the year. The SWAT teams' continued growth and advancement have been an invaluable asset to the department and community.
Our Department has proudly partnered with Academy Jiu-Jitsu of Downey to provide officers with valuable defensive tactics training. Jiu-Jitsu enhances an officer’s ability to control resistant subjects safely and effectively while minimizing the need for higher levels of force. This training improves officer confidence, physical fitness, and deescalation skills, ultimately leading to safer outcomes for both officers and the community.
Travis Howze
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the wellness and mental health of our officers, the Department received a grant to enhance officer wellness initiatives. To further this goal, we hosted Travis Howze, an internationally recognized speaker, author, and motivational wellness educator. His impactful, motivational message focused on mental health awareness, identifying the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges displayed through various behavioral patterns and changes, and offering strategies for coping with trauma. The message emphasized the importance of mental health, not only for the individual but also for their families and the team.
Our “Merry Grinchmas” door, decorated by PD Dispatchers, won 3rd place in the City of Downey Employee Holiday Door Decorating Contest. Great Job!
Our Records Department’s Pirate Crew did an amazing Job of representing us in the City of Downey Employee Halloween Costume Contest.
This year’s entry in the annual City of Downey Employee Pumpkin Decorating Contest was titled “Would You Like an Apple Dearie?” and starred a well known witch. Pumpkins were used to create the face, cauldron, skull and shrunken head. Our witch was fairest of them all, she won 1st place!
Since 2022, our Department has embraced drone technology as a vital tool for enhancing public safety, improving officer efficiency, and increasing situational awareness. Drones have become an integral part of modern policing, offering a unique aerial perspective that supports officers in various situations where traditional methods may pose higher risks.
The department maintains a diverse fleet of drones, ranging from compact indoor models designed to inspect confined spaces such as buildings and vehicles hiding suspects, to larger outdoor drones capable of conducting wide-area searches for suspects or missing persons. These aerial assets are also deployed in response to high-risk calls, allowing officers to assess potentially dangerous situations before making direct contact. By doing so, drones contribute significantly to deescalation efforts, providing real-time intelligence that helps officers make informed decisions and reduce the likelihood of force encounters.
To ensure rapid deployment, the Department has 20 federally certified drone pilots, with officers carrying drones during their shifts, ready to deploy them at a moment’s notice. This immediate access allows for greater flexibility in responding to evolving incidents, whether it be locating a suspect, providing overwatch during critical incidents, or assisting in search-and-rescue operations.
Beyond tactical operations, drones also enhance officer safety by reducing the need for personnel to physically enter hazardous environments. Whether responding to armed
suspects, evaluating dangerous crime scenes, or monitoring large-scale events, drones provide a safer and more effective means of gathering intelligence while minimizing risks to both officers and the public.
In addition to operational deployments, our Department also utilizes drones for crime scene documentation, particularly in major traffic collisions and crime scenes. These drones are capable of capturing high-resolution images and videos, which can be used to create detailed 3D renderings of incident locations. This technology provides investigators with accurate reconstructions that aid in forensic analysis, evidence preservation, and courtroom presentations.
As drone technology continues to evolve, our Department remains committed to utilizing this cutting -edge tool to enhance public safety, improve response capabilities, and reinforce its mission of protecting the community with efficiency and professionalism.
Lieutenant Kurtz Class 530 September 6, 2024
Lieutenant Edwards Class 533 October 4, 2024
In March, the Masonic Lodge award returned. Due to a structure issue at the lodge, three years of recipients were recognized. Congratulations to the recipients.
Our Department welcomes new Officer Emiliano Baltazar who graduated the Police Academy on September 19, 2024.
Detective Jason Estrada was selected by his peers to be honored as the 2024 Downey Police and Fire Foundation’s Officer of the Year. Detective Estrada has been with our department for 17 years. He has worked in our Field Operations Division as well as the Detective Bureau where he is currently assigned as a Detective in the RobberyHomicide unit. He is well known throughout our department for his dedication to his work and his outstanding work ethic.
Congratulations Detective Estrada!
Officer Allison Pagnotta was honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for her outstanding efforts in DUI enforcement, leading our Department in impaired driving arrests this year. DUI enforcement is critical to keeping our roads safe and preventing tragedies caused by impaired driving. Officer Pagnotta’s dedication reflects our Department’s commitment to protecting lives and ensuring that those who drive under the influence are held accountable.
Maria A. Villegas
Michael J. Mrotz
John Chae Travis O’Gorman Enrique Torres Jr. Lucky L. Wardell
In Loving Memory
Edgar “Ed” Compton
January 3, 2024
Robert “Bob” Bradfield
January 13, 2024
K9 Zeke
December 29, 2024
