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Ceres Police swears in two new officers
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Kevin Sakasagawa was welcomed to the Ceres Police Department by Chief Brent Smith on Aug. 5. The new police officer last worked for Merced Police Department. - photo by Courtesy of Ceres Police

More empty Ceres Police officer positions were filled with the hiring of Miguel Villalobos last month and the swearing in of Kevin Sakasagawa on Wednesday afternoon.

The hiring of Villabos came a little late to be included in the large swearing-in and promotion ceremony held Monday, July 20. In that ceremony, James Yandell was promoted to lieutenant while Darren Venn, Jason Coley and Keith Griebel all became sergeants within the department. New officers Justin Canatsy, George Woodward, Carl Carlson and Jesus Salinas were also sworn in.

Villalobos started as a Ceres Police reserve police officer for two years before going to Gustine Police Department for five years. He then moved onto the Newman Police Department where he served for eight years. When he was sworn in by Chief Brent Smith, Villalobos said he feels he has come home.

His education includes schooling at the Ray Simon Regional Criminal Justice Center where through Modesto Junior College he earned an associate degree in Administration of Justice.

He and his wife of 19 years have two daughters who are 8 and 10. Miguel enjoys spending time with his family, camping, hiking, cycling and photography.

Sakasegawa is a resident of Ceres and was hired on Aug. 5. He graduated from Salinas High School and attended the Fresno Police Academy. He earned a bachelor's degree in Criminology from California State University Fresno where he minored in kinesiology. Kevin was a Modesto Police Department reserve officer for two years. Merced Police hired him and he served for a year.

His family consists of his wife of three years and a one-year-old daughter. He enjoys spending time with family, working out and playing sports.