Ramona Sheriff's Lt. Julie Sutton Chats With Patch

A few months ago, I arrived at Ramona substation and asked to see the crime logs.

"Oh, by the way," I said through the bars of the security window in the lobby. "I have something to ask Lt. Sutton."

"Just a moment," said the desk person.

To my surprise, the door opened wide and I was welcomed into the realm of "behind the scenes" at the substation.

"The lieutenant wonders if you'd like to join us for lunch," I was told.

Really?

Then Julie Sutton appeared wearing a bright green T-shirt and said they were celebrating St. Patrick's Day and someone's birthday. She led me to a room where a selection of people from the substation, CalFire and the Poway Sheriff's Station were enjoying an assortment of green food. After introducing me, she continued outside to a patio to continue flipping sausages on the grill.

To say I was surprised is an understatement.

"We have monthly birthday celebrations here," Sutton told me this week when we sat down to get more acquainted. "We try to do it when there's a holiday."

So, it should be no surprise that when I entered her office this week, there was a corner full of what appeared to be July 4th decorations.

Sutton is one of four women in command of Sheriff's stations or substations in San Diego county. They include Capt. Gigi McCalla in Lemon Grove, Capt. Sherri Sarro in Encinitas and Lt. Christine Robbins in Alpine.

Sutton became the lieutenant in command of the Ramona substation when Lt. Duncan Fraser was rotated to the special investigations division in August 2010.

A North County Times article at the time quoted Fraser as saying, "The job couldn't go to a better person."

So, what are Sutton's strengths?

"I think I'm a good communicator," she told me. "You have to work at communicating. You can't take it for granted. Once a month I have an all-station briefing. I keep photos of all the volunteers and staff on a board in the hallway, so everyone knows each other."

In another news report last year, Sutton said the Ramona assignment was her "dream job."

"I've had an awesome experience in Ramona," she said this week. "I've met great people here. Great volunteers ... "

Sutton lives with her family in Lakeside. She has a son, Tedd, in the U.S. Coast Guard and a daughter, Emily, who has just graduated from El Capitan High School. Her middle daughter, Victoria, is still in school.

Her husband, Jim Sutton, operates his own business, doing trauma scene cleanup.

Trauma scene cleanup?

"After suicides, homicides and other deaths," Sutton said. "He's state licensed. There aren't many people who do that in this area. Jim is like a big Teddy bear. Compassionate, very calming. He knows the right words to say to people."

Sutton's family photos are dotted around her Chargers-themed office. She has been married for 26 years. One stunning, framed photo shows her daughter, Emily, graduating in a golden gown and cap from El Capitan, with a huge smile.

"That means she graduated with honors," Sutton said.

Sutton also talks fondly of Victoria, her daughter with special needs.

She is a mother who is deepened by life's journey.

"I spent a year at the hospital with her," she said.

"I could write a book."

If she did, it might begin in Flint, Michigan, where she was born and raised.

"I was in the police cadet program in high school," she said, "and I became interested in the law."

Sutton was hired by the Flint police, then on a vacation to San Diego to visit her sister in 1980, she decided to move here.

"I fell in love with the place," she said.

She was hired by the Sheriff's Department.

During her career, Sutton has worked at Las Colinas Women's Detention Facility, the old San Diego Central Jail and Sheriff's stations in Vista, San Marcos and Poway.

"I was a deputy for eight years. My highlight was creating a liaison position between the city of San Marcos, the schools there and the Sheriff's Department," she said.

Sutton was a sergeant for 16 years.

"For 12 years, I was honored and blessed to be coordinator for the Senior Volunteer Patrol, the DARE program, crime prevention, and the Explorers, Reserves and chaplaincy programs. I also coordinated special events for the department. I've met the most wonderful people."

She has also done public affairs for the Sheriff's Department.

For leisure, Sutton and her family enjoy their boat and jet skis. They have a vacation home at Lake Havasu.

Her husband was born and raised in Lakeside.

"We live like Ozzie and Harriet out there," she said. "We go to church out there."

Lakeside is horse country. Does she have a horse?

"No, just a dog."

She breaks from our conversation to tease a K-9 handler who walks past her door.

Sutton tells me we need to do stories on the teenage parties over the summer and the Social Host Ordinance.

"We had a problem last night," she said.

She's also concerned about kids going to Cedar Creek Falls to party and then getting injured.

Her phone is ringing. Back to work at Ramona substation.