Please join us as we congratulate Sergeants Whitaker, Palma and Gragg, and Corporal Fachner on their recent promotions, along with also welcoming our newest police officer, Officer Pedro Diaz!
Sergeant Whitaker has been a police officer for over 22 years. He started his career at the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, where he worked both as a police officer and a firefighter. He has held numerous positions in his career including CSI, FTO, K9 handler, and detective. Bill has also held other assignments including gang investigator, drone operator, recruiting team member, and background investigator.
Sergeant Kris Palma came to us after 15 years with the Richmond Police Department. He started his law enforcement career as a civilian with the Contra Costa County Sheriffโs Office before attending the Law Enforcement Training Center in Pittsburg. His passion for policing came from his father, who served 39 years with the San Francisco Police Department. Kris also has a brother who serves as a police Lieutenant in the neighboring community of Pittsburg. While with Richmond PD, Kris excelled in several assignments, including Field Training Officer, SWAT team member, Firearms and Tactics Instructor, K-9 handler, and Robbery Unit detective. Kris engaged with the community by teaching several blocks of instruction for the departmentโs Citizensโ Academy, speaking to at-risk youth, and participating in numerous K-9 demonstrations.
Sergeant Randall Gragg grew up in Antioch. He graduated from Contra Costa Countyโs 175th Law Enforcement Academy and was sworn in with Antioch PD in November 2014. Sgt Graggโs experience includes assignments in patrol, SWAT, and Investigations. While assigned to patrol, he was a member of the Vehicle Theft Suppression and Enforcement Team (VSET), APDโs Honor Guard. He is currently in APDโs Investigations Bureau where heโs been in the Violent Crimes unit for several years while continuing to be on APDโs SWAT team and Sniper team. Before Law Enforcement, Sgt. Gragg served in the USMC reserves for six years as an infantry Marine from 2009-2015.
Corporal Dan Fachner grew up in the Bay Area and enlisted in the Air Force in 1990 after graduating high school. He served on active duty for 11 years as a jet engine mechanic on KC-135 air refuelers. In 2001, Dan was honorably discharged from active duty in the Air Force and hired by the San Jose Police Department as a Police Officer. He attended and graduated from the San Jose Police Academy at Evergreen Community College. 9/11 occurred during his Police academy, and Dan decided to serve his country again and joined the Air Force Reserves. After graduating from the Police Academy, Dan was activated and returned to active-duty service. He proudly served during Operation Enduring Freedom, where he worked on KC10 aircraft refuelers, responsible for worldwide support. While at the San Jose Police Department, Dan worked in patrol field services for 12 years. He was a Rifle Team member and an instructor for the field training program. Dan had a collateral assignment as a gang suppression officer, where he helped reduce gang crimes in the City of San Jose. In 2013 Dan retired from the Air Force after serving for 23 years. He joined the Antioch Police Department in 2013 as a Police Officer and was assigned to patrol field services. While in patrol field services, Dan was a K9 handler, Rifle Team member, Field Training Officer, and Drone Operator.
We also welcomed new officer Pedro Diaz. Pedro was raised in Linden, CA, and then moved to Stockton where he currently lives. Before joining APD, Pedro graduated from the San Joaquin Delta Post Academy last year in October. Pedro is dedicated and hopes to make an impact in the City of Antioch.
In addition to our promotions and swearing-in of Officer Diaz, Sergeant Green, and Community Service Officer Nieves were recognized for the work theyโve done in the City of Antioch over the past year. Both received 10851 awards from CHP. This is an award given to recognize outstanding achievement in the detection, investigation, and apprehension of automobile thieves. We are so proud of everyoneโs accomplishments and congratulations to all!
