SANTA ANA, Ca. (Jan. 12, 2023): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department today promoted 15 personnel, including two Assistant Sheriffs and four Commanders, in a ceremony held at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy.
“The experience, dedication, and integrity of the leaders promoted today are among the best of what the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has to offer our community,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “They each bring a unique perspective and commitment to service that will benefit the department and the public we serve.”
Today’s promotions also included an investigator, four sergeants, and four lieutenants. All personnel will assume their new assignments on Friday, Jan. 13.
Assistant Sheriff John McCulloch – Patrol Operations Command
Assistant Sheriff McCulloch will lead patrol operations for the Sheriff’s Department’s 13 contract cities and unincorporated areas. He also will oversee public safety services for Harbor Patrol, the John Wayne Airport, and the Orange County Transportation Authority.
Assistant Sheriff McCulloch joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and in his tenure has served in the Custody, Patrol Operations, and Investigations commands.
A career steeped in investigative expertise, Assistant Sheriff McCulloch has held positions both as an investigator and supervisor in multiple assignments, including the Homicide Detail and the South Narcotics Detail.
In 2018, he was promoted to Captain and served as the Chief of Police Services for the city of Rancho Santa Margarita and later as the Sheriff’s Executive Aide, developing and implementing special projects, conducting research, and providing recommendations on law enforcement best practices.
Most recently, Assistant Sheriff McCulloch served as Commander of the Investigations Division, overseeing 13 investigative details, including special and criminal investigations and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center.
Assistant Sheriff McCulloch graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University where he double majored in history and political science.
Assistant Sheriff Cory Martino – Professional Services Command
Assistant Sheriff Martino will lead five divisions as part of the Professional Services Command, including Records, Professional Standards and Court Operations. He also will oversee the Orange County Regional Training Academy and the Sandra Hutchens Regional Law Enforcement Training Center, providing mentorship and training to current and future law enforcement officers and professional staff.
Assistant Sheriff Martino joined the department in 2000 and first served in Custody Operations then Patrol Operations, working in the city of San Juan Capistrano before joining the Training Division as a Tactical Officer.
In leadership roles, Assistant Sheriff Martino has worked in the Custody, Professional Services, and Patrol Operations commands. In his tenure as Captain, he served as the Academy Commander for the Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy and as Chief of Police Services for the city of Yorba Linda, among other assignments.
Most recently, Assistant Sheriff Martino was assigned as the Commander of Southwest Operations, overseeing patrol operations for seven contract cities and south unincorporated areas, and multiple specialized teams including the School Resource Officer program, the Major Accident Reconstruction Team and the Behavioral Health Bureau.
Assistant Sheriff Martino has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology from Chapman University and a master’s degree in human resource management from Ashworth College. He also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class #284.
Commander Ash Abdelmuti – Professional Standards Division
Commander Abdelmuti joined the department in 1999 and has served in the Custody, Patrol, and Investigations and Special Operations commands.
Most recently, he was assigned as the Captain of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, managing the operations of more than a dozen teams, including the Homicide, Special Victims, Cyber Crimes, and the Crime Analysis details.
He will be assigned to the Professional Services Command, leading multiple teams including recruiting, employee relations, backgrounds and the Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit program.
Commander Virgil Asuncion – Southwest Operations Division
Commander Asuncion joined the department in 2001 and has served in the Custody, Patrol Operations, and Professional Services commands.
Most recently, he was the Chief of Police Services for the city of Laguna Niguel, responsible for providing public safety services to more than 64,000 residents.
Commander Asuncion will be assigned to Southwest Operations, managing operations for seven contract cities, south unincorporated areas, and overseeing multiple specialized teams including the Regional Traffic Bureau and the Orange County Auto Theft Taskforce.
Commander Tony Benfield – Investigations Division
Commander Benfield joined the department in 1997 and has been assigned to the Custody, Patrol Operations, and Investigations and Special Operations commands.
He most recently served as Chief of Police Services, managing law enforcement services for the city of San Clemente.
Commander Benfield will be assigned to the Investigations Division, leading the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Special Investigations Bureau and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center.
Commander Brent Jasper – Special Operations Division
Commander Jasper joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and has served in the Custody, Operations, Investigations and Special Operations, and Professional Services commands.
He most recently was assigned as the Captain of the Special Enforcement Bureau, overseeing multiple teams including the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the Hazardous Devices Squad (HDS), the K-9 team, and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT).
Commander Jasper will lead the Special Operations Division, which includes the SWAT team, HDS, Air Support Bureau, and Mutual Aid Bureau.
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