LA County Sherriff Deputy missing in the CNF

Farmerdoug · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 03:08 PM

Crews search Cleveland National Forest for missing L.A. County sheriff's deputy

October 20, 2009 | 9:39 am
Officers and deputies from several departments are searching the Cleveland National Forest today for an L.A. County Sheriff's deputy missing since Sunday.

Deputy Zoltan Tombol, 42, of Yorba Linda, was last seen Sunday morning when his wife assumed he had left home to go hiking or jogging, said Brea Police Lt. Darrin Devereux. Tombol's wife reported him missing Sunday evening after he failed to pick up his son from a relative’s house, Devereux said.
About 100 people from various agencies, including the Los Angeles and Riverside sheriff's departments are combing through a hilly and rugged area west of Corona, where Tombol’s pick-up truck was found Monday on Green River Road, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

The search includes canine units, ATVs and two helicopters, he said. Whitmore said his department is taking part because search and rescue is their area of expertise and Tombol is one of their employees.
“We’re very much involved,” Whitmore said. “More than 100 people are searching right now, and most of them are from the sheriff’s department.”
Tombol has been with the department for 19 years and works in the training division.
-- Raja Abdulrahim
Photo Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

Farmerdoug · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 03:32 PM

This story hits close to home for me, not because I know this gentlemen, but because I have spent so much time in the specific area where this deputy is missing. I seen the flashing lights on my way to work this morning but didn't think much of it, until my wife called me this afternoon and gave me the details. I have spent my whole life scouring those hillsides and I can tell you first hand that the terrain and underbrush up there is horrible. As of 3:30 pm, I had not heard any news updates. Maybe by the time I end up typing this post, some good news will already be broadcasted. Until then, I will keep my fingers crossed. Also, a lot of you guys are still hunting deer and quail up there. Please keep your eyes and ears open. Finally, if there is any of you LEO's out there who read this and might need some volunteers to help search, count me in. Send me a PM. I've got friends (and horses) who know that area real well and would love to help....

easymoney · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:49 PM

Hope it works out OK, for him...

Marty · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:52 PM

Missing Deputy found dead:

Deputy goes missing on hike | search, deputy, sunday, police, department - News - OCRegister.com

VHRAM · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 05:05 PM

I noticed on the news reported the sherrif dept didnt say what happened to him, except there wasnt anyone they were looking for concerning his death.

weto · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 06:08 PM

Damn, that sux. My brother emailed me the story about him going missing. Deputy Tombol was one of his force instructors when he was in the academy.

spectr17 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 07:54 PM

I caught some of the traffic of the search on the radio today at work . Sad deal. The Sheriff's rescue Air-5 helo has been busy, they did an extraction yesterday up Hwy 39 in San Gabriel canyon of an over the side car ejection.