Sonora, CA…On September 22nd 2015 Tuolumne County Sheriff James W. Mele was honored by the California Association of Tactical Officers at their conference in Los Angeles. He was presented with the prestigious, Daryl F. Gates Memorial Police Executive of the Year Award, “for his commitment and leadership to the field of SWAT and helping Raise the Bar of SWAT training and Tactical Responses.”

Sheriff Mele said receiving such an award was a great honor. He was surprised and humbled upon learning that he had been nominated by his team and selected from a large group of nominees.