After more than 30 years in law enforcement and local
government, Richard Boomer is about to hang up his badge and
gavel.
After more than 30 years in law enforcement and local government, Richard Boomer is about to hang up his badge and gavel.
The former Hollister mayor said he’s going to take it easier and enjoy more time with his wife and family.
“I think after 30 years it’s time to move on and do something else,” said Boomer, 56. “I’m looking forward to it – spending more time doing things that I enjoy.”
Boomer, who spent 21 years with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department, said he won’t miss the number of times he had to put his personal safety on the line to make an arrest.
“I think I probably enjoyed working patrol the most. Those were some of the finest times,” he said.
Boomer became assistant sheriff under Robert Scattini when the current county marshal and Hollister City Councilman was sheriff. In 1994 Boomer transferred to the District Attorney’s office as an investigator.
During his two terms on the City Council, Boomer learned some additional skills.
“As a police officer, you never learn how to compromise,” he said. “But in politics, you learn how to compromise or you never get anything done.”
Although he made important contributions as a Councilmember, Boomer feels his biggest offering to the community was his work in the sheriff’s department and as a district attorney’s investigator.
County Public Defender Greg LaForge said Boomer will do some work as a private investigator, putting one of the county’s best investigators at the disposal of defense attorneys.
LaForge said Boomer’s skills as an investigator are well-documented, as he has helped solve some local high-profile cases:
The Fred Anderson Case – In 1978, Anderson tortured, killed and dismembered a local family of four. To date, it was one of the most complex homicides ever prosecuted. The case hinged on evidence of bone fragments that were burned beyond recognition.
The Felipe Dell Fargo Case – In 1984, a local attomey who committed two separate homicides against individuals engaged in illegal activity with him. One of the victims had helped Dell Fargo butcher a rustled calf, and the other individual was assisting Dell Fargo in drug sales from his law office. Dell Fargo was released on bail over Damkar’s objection on the first homicide and then committed the second murder while preparing to flee from California. Both cases were tried in Fresno, and Dell Fargo was convicted and sentenced to 48 years to life for the two murders.
The Gustavo Marlow case – In 1988, the local teenager kidnapped, tortured, raped and murdered two young Hollister women. Additionally, Marlow was responsible for several other rapes and assaults on local women. It was one of the first cases in the country for which the prosecution used DNA evidence.
Boomer, who has lived in the county nearly all his life, was attracted to law enforcement at an early age.
“I was still in high school when I’d go to functions connected with the sheriff’s department,” said Boomer, who graduated from San Benito High School in 1965. “I had always been interested in cooking, and when George Kincaid had a hand in doing it I knew I could learn something if I paid attention.”
Boomer said Kincaid, a county Supervisor for more than 20 years in the 1960s and ’70s, “took me under his wing,” teaching him, among many other things, how to choose the best ingredients for a recipe – which was apparently a metaphor for more important tasks.
“And that was just a start,” Boomer said. “He taught me that nothing is a substitute for the time needed, how to steam the beans and what to steam them in, the preparation of the sauce, not too much or too little of any ingredient, the slicing of the meat, the time to add condiments and even the proper way to stir the beans.”
“The thing I’ll miss the most about working there is the people, my friends there,” Boomer said.
Many of Boomer’s former colleagues returned the sentiment, citing his dedication, service and contributions to the community.
“I have been privileged to know Richard Boomer for a quarter of a century,” former District Attorney Harry Damkar said. “He has also been a wonderful friend to myself and my family. His retirement will be a loss to the law enforcement community.”
LaForge, who worked with Boomer for a number of years as a deputy district attorney, said Boomer’s retirement has its ups and downs.
“I think it’s a sad day for law enforcement,” LaForge said. “But I think law enforcement’s loss is a gain for defense attorneys throughout the county.”
