by Barbara Smith

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit was honored recently for their work in combating hate and extremism. In the face of record-breaking levels of hate and antisemitism across Southern California, ADL, a leading anti-hate organization that counters antisemitism, extremism and bias, honored law enforcement professionals in May at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles with the 2024 Helene & Joseph Sherwood Family Prize for Combating Hate Law Enforcement Award. The Orange County team was recognized for their work in the 2022 Taiwanese Presbyterian Church Shooting Hate Crime Investigation. According to the ADL, recipients of this award demonstrate what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the community from hatred and bigotry.

On May 15, 2022, David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas, Nevada, entered the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills, firing multiple rounds at the congregation having lunch inside. He struck six victims, injuring five and killing Dr. John Cheng, 52, of Laguna Niguel. Dr. Cheng sustained multiple gunshot wounds when he intervened and tackled the suspect, allowing other church members to detain the suspect until law enforcement arrived. Working as a team, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit arrested Chou and uncovered the perpetrator’s hate towards Taiwanese people, due to the tensions involving China and Taiwan. Partnering with federal and multi-state law enforcement agencies helped to ensure the suspect would be held accountable for his act of hate. According to the Orange County ADL, “Through their leadership and expertise, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department were able to help heal a hurt community.” The Helene and Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate is named for the couple who created the prize in 1996 to honor law enforcement professionals for modeling innovative ways to combat hate and extremism and make a positive impact on victims of hate or bias-motivated crimes and incidents.