The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department strives to work with the community to improve quality of life through professionalism, excellence, and trust. We commit to maximize the welfare and safety of our community and the integrity of the criminal justice system by maintaining safe and secure custody of prisoners. That is the mission of TCSD and is exactly what Detective Duane Cornett and Detective Lupe Shade did to get promoted to sergeants. On January 8, 2009, at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department headquarters, in front of their coworkers, friends, and family, Bill Wittman promoted Cornett and Shade to the rank of operations sergeants. The ceremony was a perfect demonstration to honor these new sergeants and their achievements.

Sgt. Cornett was hired by the TCSD in 1999. As a deputy his assignments included Road Camp, Orosi Patrol, Juvenile Crime Investigations, SAFE Unit, and Violent Crimes Investigations. In May of 2007, Sgt. Cornett received the Robert Presley-Institute of Criminal Investigation (ICI) award for Investigator of the Year as a result of his work investigating the Las Vegas homicide of Crystal Figueroa. After the promotion he was assigned to the Pixley substation.

Sgt. Shade was hired in 1997 and as a deputy her assignments included Bob Wiley Detention Facility, Headquarters Patrol, Narcotics Investigations, Juvenile Crime Investigations, and Violent Crimes. She has been involved in, and obtained suspect confessions in several high profile homicide cases, including baby and fallen officer cases. After the promotion she was assigned to Headquarters Patrol for the Sheriff’s Department.