Public servants paid tribute for decades of work

Marisa O’Neil

Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Jack Archer has worked on 26 homicide

investigations in his more than 25 years on the job.

Archer was just one of the city employees recently honored for 25

or more years of service in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. He has

spent 21 years as a detective, an assignment that most officers spend

only a few years doing.

“He’s one of most the most experienced homicide investigators

we’ve ever had,” Costa Mesa Sgt. Marty Carver said. “All those years

of experience really help out.”

Archer counted his time on the major narcotics detail, including

one case he worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as some of

the most exciting time he’s had with the department. He also recalled

his work on a cold case, the 1990 shooting death of Luis Lopez.

“It was old-style police work, not DNA [that solved the case],” he

said.

His police academy classmate, Lt. Ron Smith, also received the

25-year honor from the city at the March 1 City Council meeting.

Smith also worked as a homicide detective, including on the 1991

murder of Denise Huber.

Capt. Tom Warnack, who helped establish the city’s police

helicopter program with Newport Beach and Santa Ana, also received

the 25-year award.

Newport Beach gave out its awards March 3 at the annual employee

services award breakfast. Senior planner James Campbell received the

Dorothy Palen Employee of the Year award, named for a former longtime

finance department employee.

Campbell came to the city’s planning department in 2002. Before

that, he worked for the cities of Carson and Santa Barbara.

“[Campbell] keeps an incredible case load moving and never misses

a deadline,” said Asst. City Manager Sharon Wood. “He frequently sets

aside what he’s working on -- even if he’s on a deadline -- to help

the public, other planners or staff in other departments.”

Four other Newport Beach employees received awards for 35 years of

service with the city. Those included fire engineer Jim Garvey,

formerly with the Philadelphia Fire Department; Lifeguard Capt. John

Blauer, a Newport Harbor High School graduate; utilities department

meter supervisor Chip Logan, a Corona del Mar High School graduate;

and City Councilman Don Webb, who formally worked as public works

director.

Costa Mesa employees honored for 30 years of service were Meloni

McMinimy, police community service specialist; administrative

services department employee Olivia Ramirez; and public services

department employees Richard Boucher, John Bull, Greg Knackert, Paul

Lewis, Bill McLean and Gerry Vasquez. Public services department

workers Ve Tran and Brad Whiteaker and administrative service

employee Thanh Bui received honors for 25 years of service.

* MARISA O’NEIL covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (714) 966-4618 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil @latimes.com.