BRINGING DOWN DRUG LORDS

There are two types of award-winners: those who love to bask in the
limelight of the win and those who prefer to stay in the shadows of their
hard-earned glory.

Sheriff Senior Deputy Brad Melson, recipient of the 2002 California
Narcotic Officers Association's regional award for officer of the year,
falls into the latter category.

And not just because Melson spent the past seven years working in the seedy
shadows of the county's drug world helping to bring down drug lords and
make the streets a safer place.

The senior deputy is one of those people who prefers to share their glory,
even though being named the 2002 "Narcotic Officer of the Year" for CNOA
Region IV is no small feat.

The CNOA has 7,000 members from across the state and is broken into eight
different regions. Region IV encompasses San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and
Ventura counties.

"It's pretty overwhelming," Melson said about the award. "I'm just the
quarterback. It's true. If it wasn't for the other guys getting involved
and making sacrifices, none of this would have ever come together. I
couldn't have done any of this by myself."

Melson said he was drawn to narcotics work in the 1990s because he saw a
need while working as a beat cop.

"It seemed like when I was on the streets all the calls for service stemmed
from drugs," he said. "The majority of the problems (in the community)
always came back to drugs. I said to myself 'I think this is a clue.'"

During his time as a narcotics investigator, Melson removed millions of
dollars worth of drugs and drug money from county streets and helped put
drug dealers and users in jail.

In October last year, Melson helped investigate and carry out the largest
methamphetamine lab bust in county history. The bust netted 47 pounds of
methamphetamine and closed down two South County drug labs.

"He's the most outstanding officer I've had the opportunity to work with,"
said Tom Wilson, San Luis Obispo County assistant district attorney. "He's
very intelligent and is very motivated to protect the people of the county."

The attorney said after being assigned to prosecute felony drug cases about
four years ago, a colleague told him that when Melson testified "he'd be
the smartest guy in the courtroom."

"He was right," Wilson said about his coworker's foretelling statements.
"Brad has been a top-notch officer for years. He definitely deserved the
award."

Wilson, along with other colleagues, nominated Melson for the CNOA award,
which is peer-based and takes into account not only the officer's field
work but also their community involvement.

"(Brad) is a good solid investigator with a lot of tactical knowledge,"
said Sgt. Ron Hastie, who was part of Melson's nominating committee. "He's
been very successful at communicating with citizens and responsive to their
needs when they call in about drug activity."

Sheriff Pat Hedges agrees Melson is deserving of the award, which is the
second time a San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's deputy has taken the top honor.

Officer Jerry Giese received the regional award in the mid-90s.

"(The award) reflects well on the department and particularly well on Sr.
Deputy Melson," Hedges said. "It was something that he's definitely earned."

A lot of what Melson did while a part of the narcotics special unit - he
pulled out of the unit in April and has gone back to patrol - was dangerous.

"There's a lot of undercover work and the job offers a true value of risk,"
he said. "The drugs have to start somewhere and sometimes that is tied into
organized crime. You live your life by cell phones and pagers. Sleep
becomes a luxury at some points."

Despite long hours, lack of time with family and risky work, Melson will
miss the narcotics unit.

"It's pretty high speed, and I'll miss that aspect of the job," he said. "I
really enjoyed the thrill of the case. But I won't miss the 3 a.m. phone
calls."

The narcotics unit won't be the same without Melson.

"There's going to be a loss of experience," Hedges said. "But he was able
to share a lot of that experience (before he pulled out) and he'll take
that experience to the streets."

Melson has been involved in law enforcement for 22 years, starting his
career as a reserve officer with San Luis Obispo Police Department in 1979.

A Texas native, Melson lives in the South County with his wife and children.