Detective Kevin Warren has been with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department for 21 years. Warren served at the courthouse, at Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center at the branch jail, he worked in patrol. He worked Community Oriented Policing and is now a detective with the investigations unit for the Rancho Cordova Police Department.

When Warren was younger, he worked for his family’s ambulance service. But when that was sold, he reconsidered his options. His grandfather had been a sergeant with the Sacramento Police Department, and after taking a year off, Warren attended the Sheriff’s Academy. While his new occupation was different from his former one, there were some similarities. Both occupations deal with people in crisis.

“It’s helping people in the time of need and that type of work appeals to me,” Warren said. “I like to give back to the community, and give back in any way I can.”

Rancho Cordova Police Chief Michael Goold said that even after all his years on the job, Warren is still very empathetic to every victim that he meets and treats each case like it was his first. “He’s just wonderful to the victims and just does a stellar job of building that relationship of trust with victims and families.”

There are three more detectives in the Investigations Unit, headed by team leader Sergeant Greg Johnson. Their work consists of investigating felonies, the majority of which deal with violent assault and domestic violence. Warren’s days involve talking to victims, witnesses, and suspects, getting statements, putting together photo lineups and serving warrants. As a detective he works closely with the Sacramento District Attorney’s office. “They’re very hardworking people, they work well together with us,” Warren said.

Some of their cases are more complicated than others, but all of them hit home for those working on them. It’s hard for police officers to avoid the thought that it could be one of them, it could be one of their own family members. “Especially as a detective, the victims and the victims’ families are looking at you to solve what’s happened to them, give them peace of mind,” Warren said. “...That wears on you, too. Because you’re the go-to person, they’re looking at you to help resolve what occurred to them, to bring justice to their situation.”

Some of the ways people can help the police department is to call in if they see something that doesn’t look right – to 911 if it’s a life and death situation or needs an immediate response. “If you see something suspicious,” Warren said, “don’t get involved in it, but write down license plate numbers, descriptions of cars, descriptions of people . . . Be good eyes and ears, and once we get there, be able to tell us what you saw and be able to give us descriptions that will help us in our investigation.”

In spite of 10-hour shifts, and being on call 24/7, in his off-duty hours Warren coaches high school softball and also a competitive girls’ 14 and under softball team. Several of his players have gone on to receive collegiate scholarships. Warren is a sports enthusiast, and he finds working with kids rewarding. He started out coaching Little League when he was in high school.

“(As police) we have feelings and we care about people and we want to make a decent environment for them,” Warren said. “It’s rewarding, and that’s what I enjoy. I enjoy giving back.”