Santa Clara County
District Attorney's Office
TEAM HISTORY
2026 (Year 13)
"Love Me Some Jen!"
Memorial Run - Investigator Jennifer "Jen" Dalton - EOW 4/15/2025
On 04/15/2025, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigations lost Jennifer "Jen" Dalton. She was an amazing investigator and "Team Mom" to so many. She helped us professionally, but more importantly, personally. She was an avid Peer Supporter and a great ear. Her voice will always be with us and her loss will be felt forever. One of her favorite sayings was "Love me some..." So this year, our team logo was "LOVE ME SOME JEN!!!" This year, we ran for Jen.
The race was held on March 28 and 29, 2026 during a weekend of unseasonably warm weather in the Mojave Desert. Scorching temperatures and high winds during the day presented our runners with the ultimate challenge.
Running as Team # 170, we overcame the elements and finished the race. Our team crossed the finish line in 19:51:07 (9:56 pace - 219/271). Standouts included DDA My Phuong Truong on Leg 12 (4.6 miles - 8:50 pace - 87/271), DDA Matt Savage on Leg 14 (10.7 miles - 6:57 pace - 21/271), and DDA James Holian on Leg 17 (8.3 miles - 7:30 pace - 96/271).
As Chief Assistant DA Jay Boyarsky sprinted across the finish line, the MC honored Jen over the loudspeaker - "Jennifer 'Jen' Dalton was truly a rose among thorns. They love her, they miss her, team 170 is over the finish line."
About
2025 (Year 12)
"Low Speed Pursuit"
The race was held on April 4 and 5, 2025. Despite extremely high winds in Pahrump and faltering radios during the final legs, our team ran a very competitive race.
Running as Team # 219, our team crossed the finish line in 18:46:12 (9:23 pace - 170/241). Standouts included Inv. Scott Buckovic on Leg 10 (5.8 miles - 8:06 pace - 62/241), DDA Nik Warrior on Leg 12 (4.6 miles - 8:46 pace - 44/241), and DDA Matt Savage on Leg 15 (6.4 miles - 7:15 pace - 2/241).
2024 (Year 11)
"Low Speed Pursuit"
The race was held on March 23 and 24, 2024. This year, the team battled dust storms during the day due to high winds and frigid temperatures at night. It was 34 degrees during legs 14 and 15 and snow capped the Mountain Springs pass.
Running as Team #185, our team crossed the finish line in 18:52:24 (9:26 pace - 219/258). Standouts included DDA Matt Savage on Leg 15 (6.4 miles - 8:32 pace - 50/258) and DDA Nik Warrior on Leg 18 (5.7 Miles - 8:45 pace - 52/258).
2023 (Year 10)
"Low Speed Pursuit"
The race was held on April 1 and 2, 2023. This year, the race started off with a prank from our Sheriff's Department, who wrapped our follow van with crime scene tape in the parking lot. Decent weather in the desert turned into a frigid night once the night shift hit the mountains. We had a last minute injury to our leg 16 runner. Irene "The Dream" Williams rose to the occasion and, with minimal training, ran an impressive 7:44 pace on the 5.3 mile leg 16. We persevered and finished as a team!
Running as Team #168, our team crossed the finish line in 18:45:53 (9:23 pace - 185/234). Standouts included Inv. Tim Crowley on Leg 4 (5.1 miles - 8:22 pace - 32/266), DDA Steve Lowney on Leg 11 (5.3 miles - 8:39 pace - 75/234), Team Captain Inv. Myke Whittington on Leg 12 (4.6 miles - 9:32 pace - 83/234), DDA Matthew Savage on Leg 15 (6.4 miles - 8:12 pace - 23/234), and DDA Brian King on Leg 19 (5.6 miles - 8:01 pace - 56/234).
2022 (Year 9)
"Unmasked and Unafraid"
Finally, after a 2 year hiatus due to Covid-19, the race was held on April 9 and 10, 2022. With many new runners and extreme heat during the day legs, this year's race was certainly a challenge. But, we were up to the task!
Running as Team #192, our team crossed the finish line in 19:33:00 (9:46 pace - 167/216). Standouts included DDA Robert Philbrook on on Leg 7 (6.2 miles - 8:57 pace - 81/216), DDA O'Bryan Kenney on Leg 8 (6.6 miles - 9:13 pace - 94/216), DDA Steve Lowney on Leg 11 (5.3 miles - 8:38 pace - 76/216), and DDA Matthew Savage on Leg 15 (6.4 miles - 8:55 pace - 49/216).
2019 (Year 8)
"Low Speed Pursuit"
In 2019, we ran as "Low Speed Pursuit." The weather was decent this year, mid 60s and cloud cover in Baker, CA and mid 40s at night in Pahrump. All teams faced logistical challenges with construction on leg 15. This year, we battled the Canadian Royal Mounted Police in a challenge coin race. We passed them on leg 10 and did not look back! We also battled a flat tire in our follow van but due to some quick thinking, managed to steer the ship in through the final leg.
Running as Team #182, our team crossed the finish line in 18:09:19 (9:04 pace - 192/284). Standouts included VSU Adv. Allison Barton on on Leg 8 (6.6 miles - 7:36 pace - 53/284) and DDA Steve Lowney on Leg 10 (5.8 miles - 7:46 pace - 41/284).
2018 (Year 7)
"Mike Brown's One Strike Rule"
Memorial Run - Investigator Mike Brown - EOW 11/8/2017
On 11/08/2017 we lost our beloved friend and fellow Investigator Mike Brown. Mike Brown was a tenacious investigator and a dear friend to many on our team. He also ran a Baker to Vegas leg with SJPD many years back. During his funeral services, a passage was read from a journal written by Mike to his then infant daughter. This passage was so inspiring that our team asked to use part of it for this year's logo. With their permission, this year's team logo was: Mike Brown's One Strike Rule! Runners who knew Mike flocked to help and take part in the run. We added 7 new runners and 5 new volunteers. Despite odd freezing temperatures and horrible conditions our team produced our fastest ever Baker to Vegas time.
Running as Team #153, our team crossed the finish line in 18:09:19 (8:53 pace - 199/275). Standouts included BOI Inv. Justin DeOliveira on on Leg 4 (5.1 miles - 7:17 pace - 9/275), DDA Patrick Graber on on Leg 6 (6.1 miles - 7:19 pace - 24/275), DDA Steve Lowney on on Leg 8 (6.6 miles - 7:57 pace - 90/275), DDA Michael Gadeberg on on Leg 10 (5.8 miles - 8:09 pace - 84/275), BOI Inv. Tim Crowley on on Leg 15 (6.4 miles - 8:31 pace - 40/275), and VSU Adv. Allison Stiller on on Leg 18 (5.7 miles - 6:55 pace - 6/275).
2017 (Year 6)
"Low Speed Pursuit"
We sadly began the year mourning the loss of our dear friend SJPD Officer Michael Katherman #3900. Our team honored Mike by placing his photo on every car, every bib, and the baton. Our team also honored him by shattering our old time and running our fastest time yet. Our team doesn't judge itself by time but this year something pushed us and pushed us hard. Low Speed Pursuit fielded the run with 3 completely new runners, 3 runners returning from our earlier years, and 14 runners from 2016. Our team finished 153 overall and 6th amongst Law Offices. We beat out some difficult opponents, Orange County, San Francisco, and San Diego. When all was said and done, we took 13th place in the Invitational Category and received commemorative Mugs for each runner. As we have improved our times, we did not forget who we are, a social team coming together to help one another remember our fallen.
2016 (Year 5)
"Low Speed Pursuit"
2016 was a breakout year! "Time Waived" served its purpose but this year our team motto and logo needed some updating. We moved from "Time Waived" to "Low Speed Pursuit!" And "Pursuit" was exactly what we did. Fielding two brand new runners, five runners returning from prior years, and thirteen runners from 2015, we set out to prove 2015 was no fluke. This new combination of talent and experience brought us great success. We climbed 27 spots to the team's first one-hundred level proven spot (173). We also silenced some of our nearest competitors in the process (Fresno, Orange County, Santa Cruz, and LAPD Robbery/Homicide). Although speed is often mentioned as a metric of success, our true success rested with our commitment to each other. As we finished the race and at our team dinner we had the vast majority of the team present!
2015 (Year 4)
"Time Waived"
2015 was, by far, one for the ages. Our team changed its motto from "Swift Justice" to "Time Waived". It seemed appropriate given our history, but our team was anything but. Our team felt the passion of the event and the loss of a fellow officer (RIP Michael Johnson 3718). Energized - ten new runners, ten returning runners stormed the desert and challenged the odds. We finished a whole hour ahead of projections and previous times. We improved our overall standings by 38 spots and beat our closet rival, Fresno.
2014 (Year 3)
"Swift Justice"
2014 was a successful year. New runners and old favorites produced the fastest time we have ever fielded to this point. Captains Emann Chan, Johnny Gogo, Anne Seery, and Patrick Vanier again produced a winning result despite multiple last minute changes. Injuries to team members prior to the trip all but destroyed our chances of success but the alternate runners proved much stronger.
2013 (Year 2)
"Swift Justice"
In 2013, the team came back together with many of its original runners. Sadly our fearless leader Connie Smith moved away and was no longer able to captain the team. Despite passing the torch, she returned to Vegas to volunteer and assist the new leaders. New captains Kim Connors, Anne Seery, Johnny Gogo, and Patrick Vanier took the torch and organized a successful event. The team chose "Swift Justice" as its motto. With temperatures still in the extremes, the team managed to complete its course with minimum injuries. We saw ourselves slip slightly in time finishing slower than the previous year.
2012 (Year 1)
The Inaugural Team
In 2012, The Santa Clara County District Attorney and Investigator team proudly began. Our pioneer, Connie Smith, had a vision to bring together a team of Prosecutors and Investigators from all levels of experience and physical fitness. Coupled with the knowledge provided by Investigator Frank Dominguez, Connie created a team based on the principals of camaraderie and self-accomplishment. Connie went out of her way to recruit, organize, and plan the event. The first team braved one of the hottest years ever recorded during the 28 years of the Baker to Vegas relay race. From 120 degrees in the day to 50 degrees at night, the 2012 team successfully completed the course.