Veteran Volunteer Honored for Her Service

Submitted photo Police Chief Mike Sellers congratulates Jean Lamphere for kudos she received for her steadfast volunteer efforts.

Laguna Beach resident Jean Lamphere was recently recognized for 13 years of service and 10,000 volunteer hours by the Laguna Beach Police Department at the monthly C.O.P. (Citizen's on Patrol) lunch May 1.

At today's estimated volunteer pay of $19.51, Lamphere has saved the citizens of this community nearly $200,000 by volunteering her time, a department statement estimated.

Lamphere began her volunteer career in 1994 as one of the original members of the newly formed R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program).

She remembers being one of the first to patrol the streets of Laguna in an old Chevy Caprice supplied to volunteers, who were on the lookout for suspicious activity and helping out the neighborhood watch groups.

It was after a tragic robbery homicide in 1995 that Lamphere found her special niche in the police department. She went to work in the property and evidence room to assist with the voluminous amount of evidence generated with each incident and befriended the property/evidence technician. It has been her area of expertise ever since.

While names and faces in the volunteer program change over the years, Lamphere's presence remains constant even as R.S.V.P. evolved to Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) and 25 members.

The lunch May 1 offered the opportunity for members of the volunteer program and police staff to honor her.