Letter from Officer A.Mendoza

Californian Dept. of Corrections-CDCR
August 20, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:


I believe you have received numerous letters expressing the type of Officer Rob McGowan is. How he has helped a number of officers in “showing them the ropes.” He has not only gone out of his way to help inmates, but actually saved a few inmates from terminating their own lives. I have been present on two separate occasions, and all of these points are true. He is an outstanding officer and role model to both new and veteran officers. However, my letter will not be about that but to explain him as a person and family man.


I have spent time with Rob both on a professional and social level. There are a few characteristics that stood out in getting to know Rob. One is his belief in loyalty amongst friends and family. He has the mentality of never leave a man behind, and puts thought in how his decisions affect the people around him. The second is his integrity. He always told the truth no matter what, even if the truth was brutally honest. The third is his sense of humor; he always finds the up side to a situation and jokes to lighten the mood. The fourth is his professionalism; you might have read in other letters like in mine (the third characteristic) he likes to joke, but when it was time to be serious he was. One thing he takes serious is being a Correctional Officer. The fifth characteristic is his leadership abilities and command presence. Even though we have a Sergeant as well as Veteran Officers in the unit, they all turn to Rob for advice. When he was there, the unit ran a lot smoother than on his days off. You could actually tell the difference when he was present.


Rob and I grew closer as friends, and not just co-workers I got to see a different side of officer McGowan. I have had the pleasure of seeing the family man. I have never seen anyone as devoted to being a father and husband as him. He has inspired me to go above and beyond within my own personal life. His wife, son, and daughter mean more to him than anything else in this world. I believe there is nothing he wouldn’t do for them within his capabilities, and all other circumstances I have no doubt he would die trying for them. He would never do anything to jeopardize or let anything come between him and his family. His number one worry about this whole situation isn’t any of the personal ramifications, but not being able to be with his family. Not being able to see his children grow up, and be there for them when life gets tough. Missing the day his son plays sports in high school, the day he gets to “eyeball” the guy who picks up his daughter for the prom, or being away form his wife who he loves and adores.


I think it’s sad that a man of such character as Mr. McGowan would have to go through any of this. I don’t think inmates are sub-human nor do I think they should be abused. We do have to remember though why they are inmates. They don’t function in society as productive working people. Another question to be asked is would you trust an inmate? If an inmate, who is in prison for lets say robbery, gave you his word would you leave him in your house unattended? Or believe him when you got home with your house emptied, and him saying “I didn’t do it?” This case sounds more like a witch hunt than an officer that went rouge. I really question now if I entered the right career? Where the criminals are listened to and believed more than a sworn officer. If that’s the case, why do a background investigation? Or make us take an oath? Save the state time and money and just hire anyone off the street. The real crime is to put Officer McGowan and his family through any more heart ache or pain.


Thanking you in advance for taking the time to review my letter.


Sincerely,
Andrew Mendoza
(Correctional Officer-Chino Instution for Men)