BARSTOW — Even as a lieutenant, the second highest ranking officer within the Barstow Police Department, Albert Ramirez Jr. said his goal has remained the same since day one. “My goal is to continue to work in the law enforcement in this community in whatever capacity I can.” A nearly 17-year veteran for the department, Ramirez was promoted from the rank of sergeant to lieutenant by Chief of Police Dianne Burns after a series of interviews which wrapped up last week. The lieutenant position opened up when former Lt. Rudy Alcantara retired from the department in July. During his introduction as lieutenant at the City Council meeting on Monday, Ramirez thanked the community he has called home since kindergarten for helping him make the promotion. “This community is great here,” he said at the City Council meeting on Monday. “The community supports its people 100 percent.” Ramirez said that in his new capacity, he will be able to improve the department which will in turn, improve the community as a whole. He said the department has focused in on the major crimes in Barstow, mainly burglaries, and is working hard to reduce them. He said the department is also devising plans to target gangs and drugs in order to improve the city. “It means I can do a lot for them,” he said. “I feel I owe the community.” Ramirez’s thanks to the community stems from a stand-off police encountered with John Lathan Salsbury in December 2000. Salsbury shot Ramirez, sending bullets through both legs, when he responded to calls that Salsbury had shot and killed his neighbor. Two other officers, John Cordero and Andrew Ellis, were also injured during the stand-off. A jury later found Salsbury guilty of murder and attempted murder and sentenced him to two life terms in prison. Ramirez, confined to a wheelchair for several months, fought his way back and began working with the department again in September 2001. Ramirez called that time in his career a “really trying time” when “things could have gone either way.” Throughout the officers’ recovery, the community raised money and supported them, a gesture Ramirez still thanks them for. “Because of the community, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today,” he said on Monday. With many years at the department, Ramirez offers much experience to new officers just starting. During his military service, Ramirez served in a special operations groups and has passed on his tactical training officers with the department. Despite his tenure with the department, Ramirez said he is still learning. “There’s something new that we all learn every single day,” he said. Ramirez was named Barstow Police Officer of the Year twice, in 1996 and 1995. In 1994, Ramirez and his police dog, Arco, uncovered more than 440 pounds of cocaine in Barstow. Reports at the time said the amount was the largest grab in Barstow police history and carried a street value of $1.5 million. Arco retired from the police department in 1998 after six years of service
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