LANCASTER – Residents and uniformed deputies packed the Lancaster council chambers Tuesday evening to welcome the new captain of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lancaster Station.
Attendees stood up and applauded as Sheriff Lee Baca announced that Lieutenant Patrick ‘Pat’ Nelson was being promoted to captain right there in City Hall.
Nelson replaces former Lancaster Station Captain Bob Jonsen, who was recently selected as the new Chief of Police for the city of Menlo Park.
The new captain said he planned on continuing the success of Jonsen, his friend and mentor.
“My long-term goal is to partner with the community and attempt to build on the successes of my predecessor in reducing our part one crimes, making this the safest city in LA County,” Nelson said.
Nelson began his career with LASD as a Community Service Officer in 1983 at Santa Clarita Station. He then attended the Academy in 1986, along with Jonsen.
Nelson has worked patrol at Carson and Antelope Valley Stations. He has also worked as a Field Training Officer, a Narcotics Investigator and a Station Detective.
As a sergeant, Nelson was assigned to the gang enforcement unit in the Altadena area, COPS bureau and Lancaster Station. He also worked in the Narcotics Bureau in both Lancaster and Palmdale.
As a lieutenant, Nelson worked at Century, Lennox and Lancaster Stations. He was then assigned to the Detective Bureau at Century Station before being transferred to the Major Crimes Bureau.
Prior to his re-assignment to Lancaster in March 2011, Nelson was assigned to the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.
Nelson and his family have been Antelope Valley residents for more than 20 years.
Before passing the reins to Nelson Tuesday evening, city officials bid a fond farewell to former Lancaster Station Captain Bob Jonsen.
“You’ve done a superb job,” Mayor R. Rex Parris told Jonsen, before awarding him a plaque for his service to Lancaster.
Baca presented Jonsen with a ‘Distinguished Service Award.’
“This is the award that they give for folks who work hard for a long time and made a big difference,” Baca said. “The men and the women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department join me today to provide you with this tribute that hopefully you will always remember way into your future. God bless you, and thank you and best of luck.”
In explaining his move to the city of Menlo Park, Jonsen said he actually grew up in Northern California, and most of his family members were still there. He said he’d moved to Southern California three decades ago to gain experience.
“Realizing I need to understand what life was really about,” Jonsen said. “And the experiences I’ve gained in the last 30 years of living in Los Angeles have been tremendous. But really my selection as the Chief of Police for the city of Menlo Park is a testament to this community, because this community is the reason they selected me.”
Jonsen praised Lancaster, calling it his “most supportive community.”
“From the mayor, the council members, the residents, the men and women that work for the sheriff’s department, you couldn’t ask for a better group and a more committed, collaborative group to make this one of the safest cities in America,” Jonsen said. “And I say ‘one of’ because now I have to make Menlo Park the safest,” Jonsen added.
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Sheldon says
Was honored to work with Capt. Jonsen and wish him the best of luck in his new career. Capt. Nelson is going to do just as good a job as he was the right hand of capt. Jonsen. Lancaster will continue to improve in spite of the state’s attempts to flood us with their worst. Good luck to you Capt. Nelson.
Lynn says
There are only about 36K residents in Menlo Park, and the crime rate is way lower than here. Capt. Jonsen was just joking about making it as safe as ‘here’.
D.Nep says
why this guy?? and regardless of thugs/gangsters approaching any family member of ours, this is still the A.V. low income capital of all races.
QHR says
Let’s give him a chance to clean it up! This is our town. Let’s not let thugs roam our streets and shopping parking lots and take over this town.
Resident says
This is our community, let’s take ownership of it. I like what you said QHR. Furthermore,instead of complaining about thugs, why don’t we actually do something about it.
I have called up both the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster regarding tons of stray carts at their walmarts. I found out the city cannot do anything, because it is private property. So,what I can do is call up the walmart complaint hotline at 1800walmart, and go from there. I also call up about the loiterers.
Why don’t we all call up the corporate side of these businesses like walmart that we always complain about, and let them have a piece of what we say.
JM says
Why this guy? Capt Nelson has excellent credentials and is a great leader! That is why…..!
Scott says
I am very proud of our new sheriff!
QHR says
Congratulations to Captain Nelson! Although understandably very challenging, I hope you can put a lid on crime and safety in the AV. I have concerns when my wife calls me and tells me she can’t shop somewhere because there are undesirable looking people (gangster/thug looking freaks) loitering around shopping center parking lots. Thanks for your service.
CharlieTuna says
Why would she call you instead of the police to report the people? Is your wife paranoid that someone is going to attack her? I hope she was able to get what she needed at another store.