Western Diocese

On March 27, 2008, Sammy Jones, Chief of Custody Division of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was honored during a reception held at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church. Several high-ranking local officials, including the Honorable Mike Antonovich, L.A. County Supervisor, the Honorable Lee Baca, Sheriff, and the Honorable Steve Cooley, L.A. County District Attorney, participated in this event.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian made the following remarks during the reception:

We are delighted to greet you all at the Headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Western Diocese. Today’s event is significant as we all gather to honor Chief Sammy Jones for his tireless dedication to the law enforcement in the life of the society in the past thirty years. To serve and protect has always been the vision of the law-enforcement officers. Amongst them Chief Sammy Jones is being honored today for his exceptional services.

We are truly honored to host this event at the Diocesan Headquarters. This relationship between the Diocese and the law-enforcement institution has been developed through the vision of Tevan Aroustamian – a son of the Armenian Apostolic Church. We are grateful to him personally and to the law-enforcement institution for maintaining this close collaboration between the Diocese and the law-enforcement institution for the well being of the community. Special Thanks to Dr. Aramayis Paronian – the main godfather of the Cathedral – who has generously accepted to sponsor this reception. He has been most generous for the implementation of all Diocesan Christian Educational programs.

Dear officers of the law-enforcement, you truly are entrusted with a noble cause, namely, to serve for the well being of the community. Your dedication is much appreciated. Through your services you bring peace, stability and order in the life of the community. Today we specially honor Chief Sammy Jones and pray to Almighty God to bless him, his wife and the family with long life and prosperity.