MADERA COUNTY — The Madera County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team bid a fond but reluctant farewell to three long-time members this past week.
At a luncheon on Wednesday, Aug. 2, Sheriff Jay Varney honored three retiring Madera Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers — Mike and Brenda Perreira, and Ron Vargas — for their years of service.
“These three demonstrated and embodied the Search and Rescue motto, ‘So others may live,'” said Varney.
Sheriff Varney, Ron Vargus, Mike and Brenda Perreira, and Cmdr. Tyson Pogue – photo Madera Sheriff
Brenda and Mike Perreira are a husband and wife team who ran the basic SAR Academy for many years.
On top of the basic academy, both were highly committed to the Sheriff’s Operation Lost and Found (OLF) Program, which helps reunite people with their loved ones when they are suffering from a medical illness that affects their memory and wander away from home.
The Perreiras were with the SAR Team for about 13 years, and their absence will be felt by everyone.
Ron Vargus has been part of the SAR Team for about 10 years, giving his talents to many specialty teams such as the SAR Overhead Management Team and Mounted Horse Team. Ron was also an important part of the SAR Academy.
In addition to being honored by the Sheriff’s Office, the trio also received commendations from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Service-Law Enforcement Branch, signed by Chief Mark Pazin and by Deputy Chief Matthew Scharper, the State Search and Rescue Coordinator.
