Behind the Badge
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes recently took on what probably has been his tastiest assignment yet since taking the reins of the OCSD in January.
Joined by other high-ranking OCSD officials, Barnes searched through virtually every inch of the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa on a quest to sample the fair’s most unique and delectable delicacies.
“We’re going to do what many people do,” Barnes said before the July 24 mission got underway.
“We’re here to try the food.”
And try the food he did.
The first stop was the Chuckwagon, a fair staple for four decades. There, Barnes savored succulent ribs, the meat of which detached from the bone with just a gentle tug of clenched teeth.
Sheriff Don Barnes samples some eats at the OC Fair with others on July 24.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“The ribs … I give them a 20 out of 10,” Barnes said.
The sheriff bit into a brisket sandwich, singing its praises while still chewing.
“I feel like Guy Fieri right now, eating and talking with my mouth full,” said Barnes, referring to the celebrity restaurateur.
Amanda Botelho and Chole Pierce, right, both of Long Beach, try the Chuckwagon brisket and macaroni sandwich offered by Sheriff Don Barnes during a tour of wacky foods at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The mission continued as Barnes and his team made a stop at the Olde Tyme Ice Cream trailer to sample the iconic OC Crush Milkshake, described as a “big, candy-coated cup of colorful fun.”
Other stops included Juicy’s, whose offerings included the meatless Beyond Burger and Fried Affair (fried cheesecake and fried Oreos).
OCSD Lt. Margie Sheehan offers a Chuckwagon brisket and macaroni sandwich to 5-year-old Camy Melen of Mission Viejo during a tour of wacky foods at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“I think he’s enjoying it,” said Terry Moore, communications director for the OC Fair & Event Center. “He’s trying a lot of new things and it gives our concessionaires a chance to meet him.”
The final stop was the D&D Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls trailer for a taste of the Cinnamon Maple Bacon Bomb.
OCSD Lt. Margie Sheehan has 5-year-old Camy Melen, left, and her friends show off their muscles while at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lt. Margie Sheehan, chief of OCSD Police Services in Dana Point, joined Barnes is sampling the fair’s fare.
“I’ve never gone around and consumed this quality of fair food,” Sheehan said. “I have to tell you, it was top notch. My favorite was the cinnamon roll with the bacon on it.”
Sheriff Don Barnes holds an OC Crush made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate, airheads, whipped cream, a lollipop and a cherry from Olde Tyme Ice Cream at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
But for Barnes, Sheehan and other OCSD officials, the tasting extravaganza wasn’t just about food.
It also was about sharing and engaging with the community.
Sheriff Don Barnes and Lt. Margie Sheehan dig into an OC Crush from Olde Tyme Ice Cream at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Introducing himself simply as “Don,” the sheriff invited random fairgoers within his range to sample the food with him.
The OCSD contingent posed for group photos with fairgoers and even photo bombed a few.
Sheriff Don Barnes talks to kids at the OC Fair about staying in school and staying away from drugs if they want to be a deputy when they grow up.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
They high-fived and fist-bumped and handed out stacks of OCSD badge stickers to kids.
“That is the best part,” Sheehan said. “Nowadays, it’s nice to have an opportunity to have folks see us how we truly are. It’s nice to be out here, especially with the kiddos.”
Lt. Margie Sheehan, Sheriff Don Barnes, Assistant Sheriff Bill Baker and Commander Dave Sawyer get ready to taste the food at the OC Fair’s Chuckwagon from Chuckwagon co-owner Irene Dugan during a tasting tour at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Aside from the social interaction, the OCSD takes its policing role seriously when it comes to keeping the million-plus annual OC Fair visitors safe.
Teams of deputies are on patrol every second the fair is open.
They operate out of a special command post and have a variety of resources on hand if needed.
Young Joe, left, and her husband, Steve Joe of Anaheim Hills, try the Chuckwagon ribs offered by Sheriff Don Barnes and Lt. Margie Sheehan during a promotional video featuring food at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Among their most important duties is reuniting lost children with their families.
“We love seeing them out on the grounds interacting with our guests,” Moore said. “They are also just the face of safety at the fair. It’s always a positive experience.”
Sheriff Don Barnes offers an OC Maple Bacon Cinnamon Bomb to Clare Pehrsen and her cousin Ashley Cazares, right, both from Garden Grove, during the making of a wacky foods video at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
A Beyond Burger (veggie burger) served at Juicy’s at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Sheriff Don Barnes receives an OC Crush made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate, airheads, whipped cream, a lollipop and a cherry from Mark Hill, owner of Old Time Ice Cream, at the OC Fair. Old Time Ice Cream has been at the OC Fair for 40 years.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCSD Assistant Sheriff Bill Baker tries the sauces from Brett Enright, owner of Juicy’s at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCSD Lt. Margie Sheehan, Sheriff Don Barnes, Assistant Sheriff Bill Baker and Commander Dave Sawyer take a break from the wacky foods tour at the OC Fair to compete in a water gun competition.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Sheriff Don Barnes, left, and Sgt. Joses Walehwa, try an OC Crush from Old Time Ice Cream at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lt. Margie Sheehan takes advantage of a Chuckwagon photo prop at the OC Fair.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
