Placentia Detective Wins Narcotics Officer Honor

A Placentia detective whose achievements include busting a methamphetamine ring, leading to 19 arrests and seizure of five labs, has been named the county’s Narcotics Officer of the Year.

Gary LoGalbo, a 10-year police officer, was recognized Thursday with the award from the Orange County Narcotics Officers Assn. LoGalbo, 32, is a law school graduate who has passed the bar exam and wants to become an Orange County prosecutor.

Others honored at the annual awards ceremony include LoGalbo’s supervisor, Sgt. Ward Smith, marking the second time he’s been named Narcotics Unit Supervisor of the Year. Other recipients: Stephen Sundvold, Judge of the Year; Deputy Dist. Atty. Jeff Ferguson, Prosecutor of the Year; Sheriff’s Senior Forensic Criminalist John Davis, Non-Sworn Employee of the Year; and Buena Park Officer Charles Presley, Patrol Officer of the Year.