Investigations

Sergeant Thompson has worked for the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office since 2005 where he began his career as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. In November 2007, he was hired as a full-time Deputy Sheriff. In March 2021, he was promoted to Sergeant.

Sergeant Thompson has worked in the Jail, the Courts, as a K-9 handler, and for many years was a Field Training Officer responsible for training new Deputies hired by the Sheriff’s Office.

While assigned to Patrol, Sergeant Thompson received the California Highway Patrol and the American Automobile Association’s “10851” Award. This award recognizes Law Enforcement Officers throughout California who have been proactive in recovering stolen vehicles and apprehending criminals involved in auto theft.

Sergeant Thompson is currently assigned to the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Investigation Unit.

Detective Eric Patterson is a lifelong resident of Tehama County. Detective Patterson’s family has been in the county since the late 1800’s. Detective Patterson is a Red Bluff Union High School Graduate and has attended Butte College, receiving a Degree in the Administration of Justice. Detective Patterson graduated from the Butte College 78th Basic Police Academy.

Detective Patterson’s first interest in Law Enforcement began as a teenager when he joined the Tehama County Sherriff’s Office Explorer Post. Detective Patterson was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in 1993.

Detective Patterson has worked in both the Custody Division as well as the Patrol Division.

In the Custody Division, Detective Patterson worked as a Jail Training Officer. Detective Patterson then spent many years as a Patrolman as well as a Field Training Officer.

Detective Patterson has worked in the Sheriff’s Office Boating Unit operating the Sheriff’s boats on the Sacramento River as well as Black Butte Lake.

Detective Patterson has worked as the Sheriff’s Office Background investigator conducting pre-employment background investigations.

Detective Patterson is a certified Computer Voice Stress Analyzer examiner. Detective Patterson has attended Advanced Examiners Training in the use of the CVSA.

Detective Patterson is a member of the Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negation Team.

Detective Patterson is currently assigned to the Investigations Division as Detective/ Investigator, primarily investigating crimes affecting children as well as other special victims.

In Detective Patterson’s off-time, he enjoys spending time with his family and is involved in youth shooting sports with the Nor Cal Junior Clay Busters.

Detective Maria began his career with the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office in August, 2012 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. He promoted to Deputy Sheriff in April, 2013.

Detective Maria spent 6 years as a Patrol Deputy assigned to the operations division. During that time he has served as the Sheriff’s Explorer Advisor, President of the Tehama County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, First Aid/CPR instructor, Drone Operator, Field Training Officer, and promoted to Patrol Sergeant before pursuing an investigative assignment as a Detective.

Detective Maria has been awarded the Tehama County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association “Deputy of the year”, The Tehama County Sheriff’s Office “Case of the year”, and has been recognized by the California State Assembly for “Case of the Year”.

Aside from serving 2 terms as the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association President, Detective Maria has been civically engaged, as well. He served 3 years on the Red Bluff City Planning Commission as a Commissioner, as well as Chairman of the Planning Commission. He authored pending legislation aimed at strengthening the Peace Officer Bill of Rights (POBAR) for Peace Officers.

Detective Maria is also one of the credentialed Emergency Medical Technicians in the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office.

Detective Maria is a Commercial Helicopter Pilot and an Airplane Pilot.

He often spends much of his free time flying.

Detective Valdes began his law enforcement career in 2008, with the San Jose Police Department. During his time with San Jose PD, he was assigned to the Bureau of Field Operations, Bureau of Investigations and Bureau of Special Operations.

His career focused on gang investigations, vice-related crimes (prostitution, human trafficking, street level narcotics), and tactical operations. As a San Jose Police Officer, he received five letters of commendation from the office of the Chief of Police and has been recognized in two novels [for technical contributions].

In 2016, Detective Valdes lateraled to the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office as a Sheriff’s Deputy. He has worked patrol, and as a Field Training Officer.

He has since taken on the role of instructor (for Tehama County Sheriff’s Office) for Chemical Agents, Less Lethal Munitions, and Racial Profiling & Diversity Training. He also received Case of the year (2020), which has since been recognized in a feature film titled “Crossroads: One Woman’s Path to Justice”.

In 2022, Detective Valdes received his promotion to the rank of Detective and is currently assigned to the Major Crimes Task Force. In addition to active law enforcement, Detective Valdes also holds the role of Associate Faculty with Butte College and has a degree in Behavioral Science.