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Detectives Share Updated Timeline in Ongoing Search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard
Monday 10/20/2025
Lompoc, Calif. – Through their investigation, detectives have gathered evidence indicating that Melodee was with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, as recently as October 7, 2025. Detectives have also determined that Ashlee may have driven with Melodee in a White Chevrolet Malibu (Lic #9MNG101) to locations outside of Santa Barbara County to include as far as…
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Detectives Share Update in Search for Missing At-Risk Child
Friday 10/17/2025
Lompoc, Calif. – Sheriff’s detectives are continuing their search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, sharing an update in the case, and refreshing their request for the public’s assistance. With the assistance of Lompoc Unified School District, detectives have confirmed that Melodee was seen as recently as August 2025. “Lompoc Unified School District deserves credit for recognizing…
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Public’s Help Sought in Search for Missing At-Risk Child
Wednesday 10/15/2025
Lompoc, Calif. – Sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing at-risk child, 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard. The investigation began on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, after a school administrator reported Melodee’s prolonged absence. Deputies attempted to contact Melodee and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, at their home in the 500-block of Mars Avenue,…
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Sheriff’s Office Team Takes Top Honors at Navy League’s 7th Annual Chili Cookoff
Tuesday 10/14/2025
Santa Barbara, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Undersheriff Craig Bonner and Chief Custody Deputy Vinny Wasilewski took home top honors at the Navy League’s 7th Annual Chili Cookoff, held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. The duo impressed judges and attendees alike…
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Longtime Search and Rescue Volunteer Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Tuesday 10/14/2025
Santa Barbara, Calif. – Nelson Trichler, a 44-year veteran of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary dedication to others. The award was presented at the Santa Barbara Search and Rescue Foundation’s fundraising barbeque held at the Santa Barbara Carriage and Western…
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Detectives Investigating Assault with a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Officer Involved Shooting. Read more here:
Detectives Investigating Assault with a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Officer Involved Shooting –...
Proud to Protect and Serve Santa Barbara County The men and women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office ...
www.sbsheriff.org
Detectives are sharing another updated in the search for Melodee Buzzard. Last know sighting is now October 7th and search has been extended to as far as Nebraska. Read more here:
Detectives are sharing an update. Read more here: https://www.sbsheriff.org/detectives-share-update-in-search-for-missing-at-risk-child/
SBSO Instagram Feed
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to join deputies for Coffee with a Cop on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Kozy Coffee, 6560 Pardall Road in Isla Vista. ☕️👮🏽♀️
Last Friday, Undersheriff Bonner and Chief Custody Deputy combined their culinary talents and cooked their way to glory tonight at the Navy League’s 7th Annual Chili Cookoff, held at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Their delicious concoction, combining Chief Vinny Wasilewski’s Wagu beef chili with Undersheriff Craig Bonner’s perfectly smoked beef brisket, took First Place AND they also won the award for the Best Chili Name - “Last Stand Chili,” in honor of their pending retirements.
Kudos to our dynamic duo! 🏆
☕💬 Thanks to everyone who joined us for Coffee with a Cop at McDonald’s this morning! We loved the chance to share a cup of coffee, good conversation, and community connection. 💛👮♂️
#CoffeeWithACop #SBSheriff #SantaBarbaraCounty
💙🤝 Join us for Faith & Blue this October! These gatherings bring neighbors and deputies together for conversation, connection, and community.
📍 South County
Santa Barbara Community Church
1002 Cieneguitas Rd, Santa Barbara
📅 Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
📍 North County
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
4725 S. Bradley Rd, Orcutt
📅 Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
☕ Free coffee & light refreshments provided.
All are welcome—come build trust, break down barriers, and strengthen community together!
#FaithAndBlue #CommunityStrong #SBSheriff
🚓 Week 1 of the Community Academy is off to a strong start! Participants dove into the History of the Sheriff’s Office and got an overview from Sheriff Bill Brown himself. ✅ The evening wrapped up with a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the Northern Branch Jail—an eye-opening experience into daily operations.
Stay tuned for more highlights from the coming weeks! #SBSheriff #CommunityAcademy #BehindTheBadge
🔬✨ Happy National Forensic Science Week! ✨🔬
This week, our talented Forensics Team was out in the community inspiring the next generation of scientists and investigators. 🧪👩🔬👨🔬 They visited three local schools to share what it’s like to turn curiosity into a career and how their work helps keep Santa Barbara County safe.
💡 From fingerprints to DNA, our forensic experts show students that science can solve mysteries and change lives.
#NationalForensicScienceWeek #Forensics #SBSheriff #Community
👮♂️☕ Join us for Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, October 7 from 8–10 a.m. at McDonald’s, 146 S. Fairview Ave. in Goleta.
Enjoy free McCafé coffee thanks to McDonald’s while you chat with our deputies in a casual setting. No agenda—just good coffee and conversation.
We hope to see you there!
#CoffeeWithACop #Goleta #Community
**Update - this class is full! There will be future classes that we will share here ** 🚨 Go behind the scenes of law enforcement!
📅 Community Academy begins Oct. 2
⚠️ Space is limited – apply by Sept. 19!
👉 sbsheriff.org
