By Terra Avilla
For some reason it kind of works out that the people I want to showcase here are always the ones that hate being in the spotlight. But even though I know he will be annoyed, I just felt it in my heart, and feel like I have to write about him this week. That someone is Lassen County Sheriff Lieutenant David Woginrich.
Maybe the urge to spotlight came from last week’s high-profile incident which involved the apprehension of a wanted fugitive. Or it might have come from me running into him this week and being reminded of how good-natured and ornery he is. (In the best way possible.)
For example, he is literally the only person on the planet who calls me “Terra-dactyl,” and gets away with it.
Lt. Woginrich is very much a leader, however, more impressively, he has figured out how to balance leading those he supervises with being in tune to those he supervises.
It’s easy to be liked by co-workers, but it’s even hard to be liked when you are in charge of those same people. And to no surprise I have never heard anyone he supervises ever say anything negative about him – ever.
Lt. Woginrich maintains his approachable demeanor and, even more impressively, is always available to help whenever asked, no matter how busy he is.
I have picked his brain several times and he never makes me feel rushed to leave him alone. (Even though I know he has a hundred other things to do than listen to me rant and rave like a lunatic.)
Lt. Woginrich consistently lends his talents to sharpen those around him, from assisting at range, to SWAT, to giving direction on important operations. Lt. Woginrich is definitely someone you want on your team when things start to take a turn for the worst.
I first met “Woggey” when he was a Sergeant with the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. He has since loaned his skills as a D.A. Investigator, Susanville Police Reserve and now as a Lieutenant with the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. Lt. Woginrich, has dedicated his entire life to serving not only our local community but also to our country.
Lt. is a Veteran with so much training and knowledge it’s amazing how squared away he is. He recently retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant, after serving our country for decades.
That’s the kind of guy he is. And as much as he hates any attention, we as a country and community, need the David Woginrich’s of the world, and we need them to know that we see them and appreciate them.
Despite all that he does in uniform, he unfailingly lives out his oath to be a public servant off-duty, making appearances at Crime Stoppers meeting, Neighborhood watch meetings, athletic games and any other community meetings you can probably think of.
It took me a long time to get the gall to write about him, because I have known him only seven years and I know that there is so much goodness he has been a part of into making Lassen County a better place, that I can’t even begin to describe it.
I’m sure if I asked ten people who lived here their entire life, they would be able to tell you and I stories of how amazing Lt. Woginrich and all that he had done for this community.
I can tell you this – in the time I have known him, he makes it evident that he cares. He tries. I have never known him to give up or back down from a challenge, and no matter how many years of law enforcement he has (which is a lot) he never stops trying to do the right thing. And that ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what Lt. continues to do – day in and day out. He tries to make the world a better place and never stops trying to do the right thing.
He is unequivocally, (no matter how much he is going to hate being in the spotlight) one of the reasons I love the place we live.
