November 2022

Brian Huynh Travis is a highly accomplished and experienced law enforcement executive with more than 27 years as a public servant. Brian was selected to be the Chief of the Department of Public Safety at Solano Community College District in February 2022. Prior to his selection as Chief, Brian served as one of the Division Commanders for the Solano County Sheriff’s Office.

Brian’s educational accomplishments include the completion of the FBI National Academy (FBINA), a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Management, the California P.O.S.T. Executive Course, the P.O.S.T. Management Program and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. He is also a graduate from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Counter-Proliferation Analysis and Planning System (CAPS) Course.

Brian’s professional memberships includes the FBI National Academy Association (FBINAA), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the California College and University Police Chiefs Association (CCUPCA).

Brian is a veteran of the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserves and the California Army National Guard with over 26 years of service. His overseas deployments included Bosnia and Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his exemplary service during his Iraq War campaign.

Brian is very involved in community service as he represented the City of Fairfield on their Citizen Advisory Committee to the Tri-City Planning and Cooperative Group. He also served on the Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the Solano Transportation Authority (STA). Brian is currently serving on the Solano County Family Justice Center Advisory Committee.

The 100 Club of Solano and Yolo Counties

Community Uplift

Congratulations, Dylan!

Today we recognize another milestone. Firefighter Dylan Groner has completed probation and transitioned to his black helmet recognizing his accomplishment. Congratulations Dylan.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firefairfieldca

Berryessa Brewing Co.

A hops, skip and a jump down Highway 128 is a little watering hole known as the Berryessa Brewing Co. And for over a decade, this staple of Winters has not only brewed a devout following, but award-winning beers that keep customers smiling over their suds.

Berryessa Brewing Co. first opened its doors in 2011. Before that, however, co-owner and brewmaster Chris Miller was already making a name for himself and his brew-making prowess in the Washington area. He and Lori Miller, his wife and Berryessa Brewing Co. co-owner, were living in eastern Washington, which is as much a hub of hops production as it is a thriving wine country. The winemakers of the area would indulge in Miller’s brews, and that’s how they crossed paths with Dan Martinez of Berryessa Gap Vineyards.

“All the winemakers and grape growers would come into the brewery to try Chris’ beer. And through that, we met Dan Martinez, who sold a lot of rootstocks to the growers in Washington state. Chris and Dan had conversations, we knew he wanted to open a brewery and it all just fell into place,” said Lori Miller. “The reason we’re in the building we are is because that’s where Dan had space available. And I’m so glad we’re out there because we wouldn’t have had the space to grow since we’ve been here.”

Berryessa Brewing Co. is a partnership with Chris and Lori along with Dan Martinez and Santiago Moreno. While Chris conducts his mad science behind the scenes, Lori brings her background of restaurant management and hospitality to the forefront. Their combined expertise begets a welcoming atmosphere filled with music, good times, beer and has been nothing short of a success for the last 11 years.

“I do think we’ve been successful, and I’m happy and proud and grateful to everyone around. It’s become its own thing by us staying open-minded and letting things go where they may. Of course, we guided it in a way, but the community made it what it is for sure,” Miller said giving her two cents regarding the brewery’s success. “I think the biggest keys to longevity of a business is the quality of your product and your atmosphere. Having the background of the Berryessa Gap is just the biggest pile of gold that was dropped in our laps. We’re so fortunate to have that and I feel so grateful going to work in this really beautiful setting. It’s also sort of molded into who we are and TV’s blaring sports wouldn’t suit that location, so we don’t do that.”

If one needs proof of the brewery’s product quality, just look on the taproom walls where over a dozen national brewing awards are hanging. If that’s not enough, one can drive down Hwy 128 on a weekend afternoon and espy the sheer number of cars filling the gravel parking lot.

Through it all, however, the Millers are simply proud to be part of the recipe that makes Winters the best little town on this side of the Mississippi — and the other side for that matter.

“It’s been an interesting ride. The last 11 years have gone by so fast, and I’ve learned so many great things in that time. I feel like we deserve an award, too, for running a business as a married couple,” Miller said with a laugh. “One of my biggest philosophies as far as other businesses go is I’m in it to compliment the town and all the other

businesses and not compete with them. It’s really important to me in whatever we’re doing that we’re in that realm.”

To get a taste of the atmosphere and Berryessa Brewing Co.’s award-winning beer, head to 27260 Highway 128. One can also visit berryessabrewingco.com or its social media accounts by searching @berryessabrewingcom

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We Need Your Support!

As we start a new year, don’t forget to pay your annual dues to continue your membership in the 100 Club of Solano and Yolo Counties!

Many members have let their membership lapse, so now is a good time to renew!

The 100 Club has ongoing costs for supporting family members of fallen officers, as well as the need to support our scholarship fund, and other activities.

The pandemic has restricted our fund-raising activities and we really need your support! We’ve made it easy for you to renew. Just go to the Membership page of our website and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Please use the family and friends' option when donating - no charges!!

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Community News

Gone But Not Forgotten!

James Lowell Capoot

Rank: Police Officer

Department: Vallejo Police Department

End of Watch: November 17, 2011

Cause: Gunfire

Age: 45

Years of Service: 21

Description: Police Officer Capoot was shot and killed during a foot

pursuit of an armed bank robbery suspect following a high-speed chase. During the high-speed pursuit, Officer Capoot was able to force the suspect’s vehicle to stop. The suspect exited his vehicle and fled the scene on foot, with Officer Capoot in pursuit. The suspect waited in ambush and shot Officer Capoot three times. Officer Capoot was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Officer Capoot was a US Marine Corps veteran, served in the CHP for two years and served the Vallejo PD for 19 years. He also coached the Vallejo High School girls’ basketball team to a championship.

Walter John Leinberger

Rank: Deputy Sheriff

Department: Yolo County Sheriff’s Office

End of Watch: November 18, 1943

Cause: Gunfire

Age: 53

Years of Service: 2

Description: On November 18, 1943, Deputy Sheriff Walter J. Leinberger, a popular deputy in the Broderick area (now known as West Sacramento) was shot to death outside a Bryte cabin where he had gone to arrest a man for burglary.

Deputy Leinberger, accompanied by his wife Zetta, was attempting to arrest 38-year-old Luis “Ironmouth” Balle, when Balle burst out of the cabin firing his pistol, slaying Deputy Leinberger as his wife watched. Mrs. Leinberger, who had never fired a gun before, took her husband’s weapon and fired six times at the gunman. She thought she missed him, as he was able to escape, but it was later discovered that she wounded him twice in the arm.

In less than twenty-four hours, authorities caught up with Balle in a Sacramento alley. During a shoot out with the lawmen, Balle sustained bullet wounds that later proved fatal.

Deputy Leinberger’s son, William, who was eleven-years-old at the time of his father’s death, joined the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office in September, 1956, and retired as a sergeant in 1984.

In November 1991, county law enforcement officials gathered to dedicate the Sheriff’s new $3.5 million minimum-security center to the memory of Walter J. Leinberger.

James D. Greig

Last Alarm: November 24, 1965

Mare Island

James died after suffering a job-related heart attack.

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from CAL FIRE

Be who you needed when you were a teen! PAL uses traditional recreational programming (fun and choice based) as a gateway to engage teens in programming and activities that support the development of the social and emotional skills required to develop a positive self-identity and become productive and active members of our community. As a PAL Center volunteer, you are on the front lines of creating fun and engaging experiences for local teens!

Bring your talents to the Fairfield PAL Teen Center and give local teens a place to go and grow by:

Hosting the front desk to make sure all members sign in and out
Distributing daily snacks and following funders recruitments
Answering phone calls
Assisting with games leadership, leading craft projects, and hosting contests and activities
Introduce new games and activities

May also depending on interest: