Nov 2025. Blues Vol 41 No.11

AROUND THE

AROUND THE COUNTRYCHOWCHILLA, CAPolice Officer Ray Barrantes was killed when his patrol car struck the rear end ofa semi-trailer in Madera County California.Officer Ray Barrantes of theChowchilla Police Departmentwas killed in a crash Friday nightwhile on duty, leaving behinda legacy of service and familydedication.According to the CaliforniaHighway Patrol, Officer RayBarrantes was driving eastboundon Highway 152 when his vehiclecollided with the right side of asemi-truck crossing Road 13. Hedied at the scene.Barrantes spent a decade protectingand serving West Sacramentobefore joining the ChowchillaPolice Department.One of Barrantes' colleaguesremembered him as "a great exampleof what it was like to bea police officer and also a greatfather."His death shocked those whoknew him."You're never prepared forsomething like this. We all knowOFFICER RAY BARRANTESthat in this line of work, it cancome at any moment. However,you always pray and hope thatit's not yourself or anyone thatyou know," said Hector Torres,an officer with the West SacramentoPolice Department whoworked with Barrantes for severalyears."He was very skilled at what hedid. He served in many areas atWest SAC PD," said a colleague.Another officer added, "He wasa great investigator and greatcop. You know, I personally didlearn from watching him, watchinghim work out on the streets.So it's unfortunate that we'relosing such an asset like that."Torres remembered Barrantesas a big family man."He was a great father. He wasvery involved. So I know thatthey're feeling it," Torres said.In speaking of Barrantes' family,Torres said, "I'm sorry. Barranteswas a great man whilehe was here. He definitely talkedabout you guys a lot.""We have to ensure that we goand support the family and givethem all the resources that theyneed and make sure that theyknow that we're here for anythingthat they need," he said.JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMASPURCHASE A FIRST CARD TODAY FOR & RECEIVE OVER 00 INDISCOUNT COUPONSJUST SCAN THE QR CODEOR TAP THE LINK32 The BLUES NOVEMBER ‘25

There really is no way to put intowords the devastation left behindby the floods in the Texas HillCounty. The loss of life, especiallythose lost from the camps alongwhat was the peaceful GuadalupeRiver, is just incomprehensible. Ifyou’re the sheriff or police chiefof the town in the center of thedisaster, you are obligated to holddaily press conferences. You sharewhat you know and when youknew it. That’s what Kerr CountySheriff Larry L. Leitha tried to do.But each time he stood in front ofthe cameras, the idiots from themainstream media, launched intotheir blame-game questions.Owning a police magazinemeans you must wear two hats,one of a First Responder andanother as a representative of themedia. While I am proud to be amember of the first, I am embarrassedto admit I have anythingto do with the latter. The outrightdisrespect I witnessed from themedia towards the officials in Kerrville,just trying to do their jobsin unimaginable circumstances,was unbelievable.Sheriff Leitha showed greatrestraint in dealing with theselowlife reporters. Most I assumewere not from Texas. His job washard enough without MondayMorning Quarterbacks criticizinghim for his every move. I wish mygood friend Sheriff Grady Juddfrom Florida could spend a daySPECIAL MEMORIAL ON PAGE 229The BLUES - NOVEMBER ‘25 33