The Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation honored four law enforcement members with the 2018 “Unsung Heroes” award for going above-and-beyond in their service to the community.
The nonprofit foundation, previously known as the Tucson Police Foundation, was established in 2003 and only awarded Tucson police personnel. This year is the first in which the award was open to other local agencies. The mission of the organization is to raise funds to help purchase equipment, technology and officer safety training for law-enforcement agencies.
The officers selected for the award were picked because of their dedication to their jobs and for helping the community. The honorees recognized Wednesday at the UA’s Hall of Champions are: Tucson police detectives Jack Julsing and Pierre De La Ossa; Marana police Officer Erin Ysaguirre; and University of Arizona police Lt. David Caballero.
Jack Julsing
Julsing joined the department in 2012, quickly became a detective and was assigned to the Counter Narcotics Alliance, where one of his duties is to meet with people and return stolen property and evidence taken in investigations. Part of his job entails numerous contacts with the public, including people who might be under criminal investigation, according to his nomination letter. “Jack is always courteous and professional, but more than that, he is downright nice to people,” the letter reads.
Julsing, a former football player for the UA, participates when off duty in the Pima County Attorney’s Office Community Justice Boards program, which helps youthful offenders and their families. Julsing uses his experience as a law enforcement officer to help youths who are in the program recognize the consequences of their actions and gives them ways to improve their lives, the nomination letter states.
Pierre De La Ossa
De La Ossa began his law enforcement career as a community service officer for TPD in 2001. He now works with the department’s domestic violence unit.
He is one of the founding members of Special Victims Investigators of Tucson, the nonprofit organization was created in 2016 and serves in fundraising for advocacy groups for victims. As executive director of the organization, he helped coordinate its annual golf tournament that raised $14,000 in support of groups that help crime victims.
Erin Ysaguirre
Ysaguirre is first officer from the Marana Police Department to win the award. She joined the department in November 2010.
She was recognized for providing “unparalleled service” on duty for the past seven years, while also donating her off-duty time to events like Tip a Cop, the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics. Ysaguirre also provides volunteer instruction to about 40 teenagers with the department’s Explorer Post program. The program actively teaches teenage girls about a potential career in law enforcement.
“It’s very humbling, it’s amazing,” Ysaguirre said about the award.
David Caballero
After 21 years in the Marine Corps, Caballero joined the UA Police Department in 2002.
In mid-2014, he was promoted to lieutenant and through his years of service he has volunteered as a head liaison for the “Devil Pup Program” for Marine Corps Detachment 007 in Tucson. He oversees the program in which teenagers attend a summer program at the Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton in California.
He is also president of the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs, an organization that provides legal assistance and financial support to public safety personnel in Arizona. The organization is made up of 95 agencies and 2,300 members in Arizona.
“I just enjoy working with the kids, they really need guidance on being prepared for the real world when they’re out there on their own and I just have a passion for that,” Caballero said.
The recipients will receive their awards at the foundation’s annual gala Jan. 27.
