Sherwoods share their stories

NEWS FEATURES Sherwoods share their stories

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer E veryone always asks Canyon Country resident Rocky Sherwood if he was named after the movie. “No, I was 10 when that movie came out in 1973 — that movie is named after me,” he answers, jokingly, adding that his father was a boxer and named him after Rocky Marciano.

“But it took seven kids,” Sherwood added. “My mom said, ‘absolutely not.’”

By the seventh kid, she finally gave in.

That changed when it was time for Sherwood to have kids, as he named his first child Rocky. “Boom: He got the name Rocky right away.”

As Rocky grew up, the similarities to his father continued, and their lives continued to mirror each other past just the name.

Now, 27 years later, Rocky and Rocky celebrated a milestone in their lives at their joint retirement party recently, as one retired from 33-anda-half years in the Los Angeles Police Department and the other was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard.

“We didn’t plan it, we never actually ever talked about it and here it was — our official retirement dates were one day apart,” Sherwood said. Laying the groundwork

“I knew from the time I was a little, little boy that I was going to be one of two things: I was going to play professional baseball or I was going to be a cop,” Sherwood said.

After taking baseball as far as he could, and playing in college, he went into the police academy in July 1986. With a father who was the former chief of police of the San Fernando Police Department and an older brother with the El Monte Police Department, his career choice was no surprise.

“I worked a variety of jobs over the years,” he said. “From patrol to detectives to undercover, you name it.” In his last five years, Sherwood worked with a fugitive apprehension team, traveling the country in search of wanted fugitives from L.A. “I got to see a lot of cool places, a lot

of places that in a million years, I never thought I would go.” The apple doesn’t fall far

Sherwood’s son Rocky started playing T-ball when he was just 4 or 5 years old, and like his father, he was a catcher.

It was baseball that took him to Louisville, Kentucky, for college, and once he had his degree, he told his parents he’d be joining the military, which he said was something he always knew he wanted to do.

“We weren’t surprised,” Sherwood said. “As far back as we can remember, he just loved the military.” Though set in his decision, Rocky said he didn’t know which branch, yet. “So, I did my research and then loved what I heard about the Coast Guard,” he said, adding that he decided to be a gunner’s mate. The most memorable parts

The one thing Sherwood knew he wanted to do early on was work homicide, and he was able to do just that for five years in the North Hollywood division.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’m so glad I did it,” he said. “It’s one thing I absolutely wanted to do, and I got to experience that.”

In February 1997, while still in the Homicide Division, he heard a call that he remembers to this day.

“We had just left the station and we were about half a mile from the actual bank when the call came out, and we were just in a suit and tie,” he said, referring to the call that would lead to the infamous North Hollywood bank shootout.

They were only the third car to arrive on scene, positioning themselves in the parking lot while the suspects were still in the bank.

He said he remembers thinking that this was the day he was going to die. “I remember thinking, ‘Did I kiss (my kids) this morning? Did I tell them I loved them?’”

To this day, if he drives by that bank, he still gets chills. “I can still smell the gunpowder in the air. I can still hear those rounds being fired.” While in the Coast Guard in August 2017, the younger Rocky was given just a day’s notice before being put on a plane headed to Texas for Hurricane Harvey relief.

The younger Rocky also said working presidential security for President Donald Trump side by side Secret Service agents at Mar-a-Lago over the holidays was unique.

“Sometimes (when) you’re working, it doesn’t feel that real, but that was something (different),” he said. “Every boat that’s going by, you’re making sure you’re screening them. It was a really neat experience.” The end of the road

With a plaque and an actual door taken off of a black and white as retirement presents, Sherwood retired as an LAPD detective Jan. 2.

“I enjoyed it so much that I never thought it was work,” he said. “That’s why 33-and-a-half years flew by. Up until the day I retired, I was still having a blast.”

Now that he’ll have time, he hopes to return to coaching high school baseball and is looking forward to traveling with his family. “We’ll see what the next chapter brings.”

The very next day on Jan. 3, Rocky was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard as a E-4 petty officer third class.

“I have the ability now to go and get my master’s in something I’ll enjoy doing,” he said, adding that he’ll be attending National University in San Diego for a degree in homeland security and emergency management. “From there, I’m obviously going to get that degree and then just kind of see what doors open up.” \ Rocky Sherwood (left) displays a photo of himself in the U.S.Coast Guard as his father, Rocky Sherwood, holds his retirement photo from the L.A. Police Department. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

LOCAL NEWS Workshop set for families with kids affected by cancer

By Vivianna Shields Signal Staff Writer T o help families affected by cancer, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital is partnering with the Little Green Monster project on Saturday to host a free workshop that helps parents and children talk about cancer and its effects.

The workshop is scheduled to take place at Henry Mayo Fitness and

By Vivianna Shields Signal Staff Writer C ounty supervisors have accepted a donation of fencing valued at $41,000 for the Castaic Animal Care Center’s horse evacuation center.

The fencing was donated by the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation.

Since it was not a monetary donation, there is no impact to the county’s finances, according to Marcia Mayeda, Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control director, in a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

In order for the evacuation center to utilize the donation, the supervisors had to first authorize the donation. The donation was unanimously approved by the board on Tuesday. “The Castaic horse evacuation area is located adjacent to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control Castaic Animal Care Center and its purpose is to provide emergency sheltering services for large animals during emergencies for residents that reside within the service area of the Castaic Animal Care Center that may need to evacuate their animals,” said Don Belton, spokeswoman for Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.

This additional fencing is an attempt to reduce potential for escaping, which would reduce risks to animals, staff and volunteers, Mayeda said.

“The evacuation center is used to house (horses) that are displaced during times of disaster, particularly during wildfires,” said Mayeda.

During the Tick Fire in October 2019, horses were among the many animals displaced. At a ranch near Sand Canyon Road, 18 animals, including horses, were killed as a result of the wild fire.

“These services will provide immediate relief to Los Angeles County pets and pet owners affected by disasters,” said Mayeda.

In addition to the board authorizing the donation, they will also send a letter of appreciation to the county Animal Care Foundation. \ Supervisors OK horse evacuation center donation

Health, 24525 Town Center Drive, from 9-11 a.m.

“It is a couple hours where children can be around others who are dealing with similar experiences,” said Charmine B. Navarro, program director at Henry Mayo Fitness and Health. “We have a large population of cancer patients in the Santa Clarita Valley, so we try to create as many resources as we can.”

The program is geared for children between the ages of 2 and 13, according to Navarro.

At the event, there will be a reading of Sharon Chappell’s book “Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic” and a workshop, led by Terri Verner, where the children can create their own “little green monster.”

Chappell is a breast cancer survivor and first started this program in Orange County.

“‘(Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic)’ engages imagination and creative expression to open commu

First responders answer ‘baby not breathing’ call

By Vivianna Shields Signal Staff Writer S anta Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station deputies and fire officials responded to a report of a “baby not breathing” near Lyons Avenue in Newhall on Tuesday morning.

“(Sheriff ’s deputies) responded to a reported baby-not-breathing call near Lyons Avenue and Peachland Avenue,” said Lt. Doug Mohrhoff with the SCV Sheriff ’s Station.

“We assisted fire,” said Mohrhoff. Deputies received the call around 11 a.m., according to Mohrhoff.

“It was a cardiac arrest call, and there were a total of two patients being transported to a local hospital,” said Los Angeles County Fire Dispatcher Leslie Lua.

The patients’ conditions were unknown as of 11:45 a.m., Lua said. \

nication and support emotional wellbeing with children and their families during the cancer journey,” said the Little Green Monster website.

“The story celebrates the joy of everyday moments that families spend together while enduring difficult times,” the website added.

According to Navarro, bringing this program to the SCV was a step in the right direction considering how many families are affected by cancer in this area.

“For families who are affected by someone who is experiencing cancer, they do not always have the resources to work through what they are going through,” said Navarro. “We give kids the outlet to have a conversation with someone who will understand what they are going through.”

For more information, call 818-822-8553. To register for the event, visit henrymayo.com/classevents. \