In the Line of Duty

County Continues to Support Employees in the Reserve Military

By Supervisor Greg Cox, Vice Chairman

The following commentary appeared in the Silver Star in October 2002

Many of San Diego County’s Deputy Sheriffs enter the department with a military background. In fact, a significant number of Deputies continue to serve both the County and the United States armed forces through the reserve military.

Since 1996, the Board of Supervisors has pledged to support all County employees serving in the reserve military who are called to active military service by ensuring that they receive the same level of salary and benefits while on active duty service to the U.S. Armed Forces as they would in service to the County of San Diego.

Since September 11, 2001, 39 County employees have been called for active duty to combat terrorism. It may surprise you to learn that 16 of these employees are Deputy Sheriffs and 6 others work within the Sheriff’s Department. Dedicated law enforcement officers serve both the County and the U.S. military and I believe that the Board of Supervisors has a great responsibility to continue to back all employees in the line of duty, wherever that may be.

On October 29, I introduced a measure that would continue to keep the home fires burning for all County employees serving in the reserve military who are called to active duty in Iraq or any other national military mobilization. As our nation faces continual threats, military mobilization becomes a very real possibility. I feel a great responsibility to assure employees that their homes, families, and County careers are secure while they fight terrorism and protect our country.

Once approved, this measure would provide any County employee serving in the reserve military who is called to active duty with “Active Duty Military Leave for Anti-Terrorist Campaigns and National Defense Mobilizations.” The Leave provision benefits include:

• A salary level that makes up the difference between the employee’s gross military pay (including allowances) and the employee’s normal biweekly salary (excluding overtime)
• Continuation of the County’s health insurance with the County paying the employer contribution and the employee paying his or her contribution
• Accrual of sick leave and vacation credits which become available upon return to active County service
• Accrual of retirement service credits

I am grateful for the dedication and service of all Deputy Sheriffs in San Diego County. Service to the public, through law enforcement and the military, earns a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid by the American public. It is with this spirit of appreciation that I will continue to advocate for support from the Board of Supervisors for San Diego County’s men and women in uniform.