Metro Division Commander
Captain Fred Links is a 28-year veteran of the Sacramento Sheriff's Department. Following assignments in corrections & patrol, Cpt. Links spent nearly nine years on the department's SWAT team assigned as the liaison to Air Operations for tactical helicopter deployment. Cpt. Links completed Tactical Rappel Master and UH-1 Crew Chief Training at the Camp Rilea Army Ranger training facility in Warrenton, OR. After assignments as a patrol sergeant, and supervisor of a federally funded, multi-agency drug task force, Fred was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned as the Air Operations Commander. (MTF)

Bureau Supervisor
Sergeant Cotter has been with the Sheriff’s Department since January of 1985. He joined the Air Operations Bureau in September of 1993 as a Tactical Flight Officer and subsequently became a TFO Training Officer. He co-founded the Helicopter Rescue and Tactical Program in the bureau and teaches classes on Helicopter Rescue, Helicopter Tactical Insertion, Helicopter Rappel, and Short Haul within our department and for other allied agencies. (MTF)

Pilot/TFO/CFI
Deputy David LeBaron is a 23 year Law Enforcement veteran who has worked positions in corrections and patrol services. He has been assigned to the Air Operations Bureau since 2001 as a fixed-wing rated Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor. Deputy LeBaron has earned single and multi-engine instrument ratings and he is also a Tactical Flight Officer in our helicopter operations. (MTF)

Tory is a former Navy Pilot who flew both Fixed-Wing and Helicopters on active duty for over 12 years. As a civilian, he flew Corporate Citation jets and King-Air Turboprop aircraft. He entered Law Enforcement in 1994 with the Sacramento Police Department and served as a Patrol Officer until 1997 when he became their first formal Pilot for the newly formed Air Unit. In 2001 he lateralled to the Sheriff’s Department where he still flies both Fixed-Wing and helicopters. He holds an ATP, (Airline Transport Pilot) and Flight Engineer license, in multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft and Commercial Helicopter licenses

Pilot/TFO/CFI
Deputy Jeff Werblun is a 23 year veteran of law enforcement. He has been flying helicopters for 12 years and holds Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor ratings for helicopters and a Private Pilot rating for airplanes. Deputy Werblun is the Safety Officer for the Air Operations Bureau. He also serves as an instructor pilot and training officer. (MTF)

Pilot/TFO/Crew Chief
Deputy Brian Rutledge began his law enforcement career with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department when he entered the academy in 1995. Since then he has been assigned to the Sheriff’s Work Project, RCCC, Firearms Range, and Patrol. Deputy Rutledge was selected as a Tactical Flight Officer with the Air Operations Bureau in May 2005. He holds a fixed wing private pilot license and most recently obtained his commercial helicopter rating in October 2007 making him the newest line pilot.

Pilot/Helicopter-Fixed Wing/CFI
Deputy CW Smith began his flying career in 1966 at the age of 19 when he entered the army. He graduated from flight school in 1967 with a commercial helicopter license. Deputy Smith joined the Sheriff’s department in 1972 and was assigned to the Air Operations Bureau in 1977 as the first commercial line pilot with the department. Deputy Smith spent 27 years serving the department in this capacity and retired in 2004. He continues to fly helicopters on a part time basis for the Sheriff’s Department as well as for Sacramento Metro Fire.

Tactical Flight Officer / Crew Chief
Deputy Manny Konstantinidis began his career with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department in 2001. Prior to being assigned to the Air Operations Bureau, Manny worked assignments in the Main Jail, the Sheriff’s Airport Division and as a Motor Officer in the then contract city of Elk Grove. Manny is currently a Tactical Flight Officer and Huey Crew Chief in the Air Operations Bureau. Prior to coming to Sacramento County, Manny worked nine years as a Police Officer and Dispatcher in San Mateo County, CA.

Tactical Flight Officer
Deputy Matthew Burton has been with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for the past eight years. Matt has worked a variety of assignments throughout the Sheriff's Department including the Main Jail, Airport Division, and in the South, North Central, and Northeast Patrol Divisions. Matt transferred to the Air Operations Bureau in January of 2008 making him the newest member of the unit.