Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Pelino was a friend to our family when I was young living in Newhall. He would visit us at home and I will always remember his smile and warm manner. It was such a shock to hear that he had been killed while working alone in Gorman. I now live in Lake of the Woods near Gorman, and I often reflect on Officer Pelino whenever I drive past or go there to a restaurant. Thank you Art for your service, and your kindness. You are still remembered.

Kevin M Woten
Friend

December 17, 2022

In Los Angeles County, there are only two Residency spots. Your home is also the Sheriff's Sub Station and your help is about an hour away. At that time, I was Art's counter part, the Resident Deputy at the Isthmus Sheriff's Facility, Catalina Island. Interestingly, both of us were ELA Station Alumni and we would chat on the phone occasionally about our unique assignment.
Because of Art's death on that terrible day, I want all to know his death was not in vain. Our assignments at the time did not allow for another Resident Deputy position (this changed over the years). However because of his death, It was decided by Sheriff Pitchess that both Resident spots would be made part of the newly formed K-9 program. The years after his death until I transferred, the K-9 assigned to me proved invaluable in my assignment as it did to his replacement.
RIP Art

Sergeant, Robert S. Murcott, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

January 14, 2022

My husband, L.A.Co. Sheriff's Homicide Detective Roger Wilson, was called out to the scene of the crime along with his partner. Art was the only resident deputy at the Gorman/Lebec L.A.Co. Sheriff's post. Roger was shocked to discover upon arrival that the deputy killed was Art Pelino, Roger's old partner when they both were fairly new deputies working patrol in East Los Angeles. Art's youngest son - 8 year old Johnny - had come down to the small station to tell Art that dinner was ready. He saw Art laying on the floor and a man sitting near by with his head down. Johnny ran back up to tell his mom, Pat who came running down and put the docile and confused man in the lock up. As I recall, Art and Pat had 6 kids, 2 of whom became deputy sheriffs. Our two families had spend a Christmas Eve together back in their East L.A. days. Roger was very broken up and told me when he got home that night. We went to Washington DC to the Police Memorial a few years later and looked up Art's name. When Roger found out it wasn't there, he proceeded to follow through. The next time we visited, Art's name was there on the memorial wall and I still have a rubbing of his name taken from that wall. Roger passed away in 2012 and never forgot Art and his sacrifice as well as the toll it took on his wonderful family. God bless all our fallen officers and their families.

Wife of Det. Roger Wilson, deceased
Los Angels County Sheriff

August 21, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 19, 2021

My name is Bruce Harris. Deputy Pelino’s Son Paul and I were friends and went to Gorman School together. I met him several times over the course of several years being friends with Paul. I remember him as a very good and kind man. I became a Law Enforcement Officer partly due to having been Paul’s friend and recognizing the sacrifice that his Father made. Semper Fidelis Deputy Pelino, Fair Winds and Following Seas.

Deputy First Class Bruce E. Harris Jr.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola, Florida

September 5, 2019

Art was my training officer and just thought the world of him, both as a man and Deputy. RIP

Charles Easton
LASD

April 25, 2018

Art’s murder was a frequent reminder to me as my desk in the Gorman sub-station was right next to where he breathed his last. I worked the Gorman sub for approx ten years several years after his passing. I often thought how a moment of being lax could cost me my life. And in that regard he may have spared my family and friends the grief that Art’s family and friends suffered. Rest In Peace Art.

Deputy John Grisbach (ret.)
LASD

April 24, 2018

I'm assigned to Gorman as one of the Resident Deputies. We held a memorial for Deputy Pelino today. Officers from the Kern County Sheriff's office and Hungry Valley State Park paid their respects at the site of slaying.

None of us had ever met Deputy Pelino, but we remembered him today. His sacrifice has not been forgotten.

Deputy Snover
Los Angeles Sheriff Department, Resident Deputy - Gorman

March 19, 2018

Art,

As a young boy growing up in Santa Clarita, I remember 40 years ago when I heard of the tragic incident which took you from us far too early in life. You sacrificed so much for your family, your partners and the community that it is hard to not stop and reflect on you and your life. As the Captain now at Santa Clarita Valley Station my reflection turns to how to keep all of us, your partners, safe from any tragic event while protecting the community. I ask that you watch over us and keep us safe as we guard the community in your shadows.

Captain Robert Lewis
L.A. Sheriff's Department - Santa Clarita Valley Station

March 19, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 40th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

March 19, 2018

Deputy Art Pelino will always be fondly remembered, as one of the SCV patrol deputies I worked with and looked up to when I was a sheriff's explorer at the SCV station in the 70s. At the time of Deputy Pelino's tragic death, I was a fresh faced police officer, and solemnly honored Deputy Pelino at his funeral. Even though he paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his community, his untimely death was always fresh in my mind during my law enforcement career and I believe helped me to remember that in law enforcement the danger is constantly present. I am thankfully retired now after completing my 29 year law enforcement career. Even today in retirement, I will never forget Deputy Pelino's smile, his dedication to his profession, and his willingness to be a mentor to the young sheriff's explorers like myself. I will never forget him.

Dave Gray, retired LEO
Former SCV sheriff's explorer

April 14, 2016

My husband Mark Johnson was an Eagle Scout with Art Pelino. I never knew him personally, but I know that his teachings have been with Mark for our 34 year marriage.

A good man called home too soon. We drove through Bouquet Canyon yesterday on our way back to NV from visiting the family. Mark was telling the stories of his days as an Eagle Scout, I have heard them many times but our granddaughter had not.

RIP

Becky Johnson

January 19, 2016

Art,

I never knew you as I became a LA County Sheriff's Explorer at SCV a few months after your death. But I knew your daughter. It has been 37 years and my own law enforcement career is coming to an end. I thought of you today and reflected on the stories I had heard about you from your partners and family. You were an inspiration to many and are sorely missed. Rest in peace brother.

Sgt Thor Merich
Burbank PD

March 20, 2015

Art you were a friend and great mentor to me as a young explorer at the old Newhall Station. You and Sgt. Warford.
I can still remember hearing of your death that morning as I listened to the radio.
As an apprentice embalmer at Pierce Brothers Eagle Rock, I still recall picking you up and preparing you for your final resting place. It was an honor that I still remember today.
Your humor and and laugh I can still remember to this day.
I would go on to be a Deputy Sheriff and often used your expression of ' Jose Glox '.....when asking a suspect if he knew such a character.
Art, you were such a friend to me that still after all these years I still remember you and your family.
John

John J. Nazarian, Police Officer (ret)
A mentor and dear friend

March 12, 2015

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Retired Wisconsin L.E.O.

July 23, 2014

God bless sir. I'll be saying a prayer for you.

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

March 19, 2013

My uncle Art was a he'll of a man and I miss him. I can assure you that the family has never been the same without him, he is so missed...

Steven Robinson
My Uncle

November 12, 2011

I remember this. I was 10 years old and my dad was Resident Senior Deputy for Ventura County at the Lockwood station. Even as young as I was, I was horrified. I remember Dad telling me that it was his kids that found him and remember the fear I had after that.

Deputy Pelino, I thank you for your service.

Rest in peace.

Joel Trout

July 24, 2011

Art, I never got a chance to say goodbye, I was out of State on vacation and didn't hear of your death until after I returned. Thanks for the good times and laughs on graveyard shift in Gorman. We backed each other because there were no other units closer than an hour away. I enjoyed every conversation we ever had. You were a good cop and a dear friend. Until our paths cross again..."Aloha" from the Hawaiian.

Officer Dave Henriques #7508
CHP Newhall 1973-1983 (retired)

May 24, 2011

Deputy Sheriff Pelino, thirty-two (32) years later you are still remembered, with honour.

Thank you for your service. The citizens of California were
always well protected under your watch. A tragic and unnecessary loss.

Anonymous

May 26, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 19, 2010

Deputy Pelino your service and commitment to your community will never be forgotten. I met you while working at Magic Mountain and was inspired by you to seek a career in law enforcement. You were always friendly and compassionate and treated everyone with respect.

You will never be forgotten.

Phoenix PD Retired

December 14, 2009

Rest in Peace, Deputy Pelino. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

I was a young deputy when I worked with Art at Santa Clarita Station. I was always amazed at how he so officer safety conscious and professional after all his years of service. He was a role model for me and many other. Miss you Art.

Jim Smith, Sgt. Ret.
Los Angeles Sheriff

April 5, 2009

The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion
Proverbs 28:1

You are never forgotten. God bless you and your family.

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08

K.L.

March 19, 2009