Candidate for
Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator; County of Monterey

Rocky was born and raised in Salinas, CA. He has two brothers; Alex and Jorge and three sisters; Luisa, Pilar and Cindy.

Rocky's parents came to the Salinas Valley in the early 40's. His dad was born in the Philippines and came to this country when was 13. He worked as a field laborer in the Salinas Valley for over 40 years and he retired as a porter from Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. He is 89 years old and going strong.

His mom was born in Arizona shortly after her parents came from Hermosillo, Mexico. She worked full-time as a shed worker for Yoder Bros. Nursery, Spiegel Foods and Simplot Foods. She retired as a presser from the Fort Ord Laundry. She always managed to do it all. She passed away in 1992.

Rocky attended school in Castroville and graduated from North Salinas High School in 1967. While working full time and helping to raise his family, he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management from St. Mary's College of California.

Rocky started his law enforcement career as a Reserve Police Officer with the Salinas Police Department in 1971, and became a sworn full-time police officer in 1973. He specialized in homicide investigations and working street gangs, where he implemented successful gang diversion tactics. He started the first gang unit for the Salinas Police Department, which is now a role model for county agencies. In 1979 he received the Police Officer of the Year award from the Salinas Police Department.

Due to his skills as a Homicide Investigator and expertise working with street gangs, he was hired by the District Attorney's office in 1988, and rose to Chief Investigator in 1994.

As Chief Investigator for the District Attorney's Office, his leadership skills in training and budgeting has resulted in more investigators, better trained investigators, and securing special task force funding.

Rocky is dedicated to the youth of our community. He currently is an Instructor for Hartnell College's Administrative Justice Program teaching:

• Multicultural Diversity/Community Relations
• New Concepts in Law Enforcement

He is also an instructor for Pacific Seminar's Anger Management Program since 1985.

This program is for youth offenders and Rocky is committed to helping show young people there is an alternative to a life of crime.

Rocky has been married to Janet since 1991 and has 6 children; Nick, Noel, Roque J, Jonathan, Kim and Tracy. He also has 5 grandchildren; Lucas, Noah, Kayleen, Nathaniel and Analycia.