Volunteer ‘854’ Draws Congressional Honor After Three Decades on Patrol

Otis Triplett, an 88-year-old Army veteran who has spent nearly three decades patrolling Pasadena streets as a police volunteer, was named Congressional Volunteer of the Year for Pasadena and Altadena at Representative Judy Chu’s annual Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards.

Chu presented the award on Saturday, Aug. 15, at a ceremony in Arcadia that honored 10 individuals and organizations from California’s 28th Congressional District. Triplett is one of the original members of Community Assisting Pasadena Police, the department’s uniformed civilian patrol, and is known across the department by his call sign, “854.”

The patrol began in 1996, growing out of an earlier Citizens on Patrol effort when volunteers wanted more active roles, and its members serve as extra eyes for the department on residential and commercial streets. Recruits complete an eight- to 10-week course in radio procedure, driver training, report writing, penal and vehicle codes and traffic control before they may drive a city volunteer unit, and they must log at least eight hours a month.

The department also fields a chaplain corps, in place since 1992, along with an equestrian unit, a missing persons unit and an identity theft unit.

Triplett’s involvement began in 1996, according to the City of Pasadena, after former Chief Jerry A. Oliver — a customer at his barbershop — encouraged him to enroll in the Community Police Academy.

Triplett has served under five police chiefs since.

“Otis has never needed a title or recognition to tell him what service means,” Chief Gene Harris said.

Two weeks before the congressional ceremony, the department marked Triplett’s 30 years of service at its annual volunteer appreciation dinner, the city said. Lieutenant Sam DeSylva and volunteer coordinator Officer Eric Riddle joined him for the recognition.

Outside the department, Triplett volunteers with the Tournament of Roses and has worked as a mentor, a youth sports supporter and a longtime Pasadena business owner, according to the city. Chu’s office described him as recognized for volunteerism, mentorship and civic leadership.

Details on the police department’s volunteer programs are posted at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/police/divisions-and-sections/community-relations/volunteer-services-program/.