Sheriff’s Deputy Wins State Recognition for Pulling Drunk Drivers off the Road

(l-r) Sheriff Bill Gore, Encinitas Captain Sherri Sarro, Deputy Dave Toner, OTS Director Chris Murphy

Kudos go to an Encinitas Sheriff’s Deputy who recently won the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Award for Traffic Safety Excellence. Deputy Dave Toner was honored for making 187 DUI arrests last year, the highest of anyone in the Sheriff’s Department or any other agency in the County. Deputy Toner is a Senior Traffic Deputy who works the night shift in the Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar areas. When he’s not improving traffic safety by pulling drunk drivers off the road, he’s training new deputies and giving advice on how to conduct DUI investigations.

The Sheriff’s Department itself won third place in the California Law Enforcement Challenge Impaired Driving Award. It recognizes agencies that reduce driving fatalities and injuries. Among the many ways the Sheriff’s Department works toward that goal is by conducting DUI checkpoints, bicycle safety rodeos, safety presentations and a free class for teenage drivers called Start Smart.

OTS Director Chris Murphy traveled from Sacramento to the Sheriff’s Main Office in Kearny Mesa to present the plaques to Sheriff Gore and Deputy Toner. Deputy Toner’s supervisor, Captain Sherri Sarro, was also on hand for the presentation.