Capt. Dale Unger now at Sheriff’s Office headquarters
MORGAN HILL
Longtime Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Dale Unger has been promoted to the rank of captain and moved from the South County substation to headquarters in San Jose, with Lt. Garry Peterson taking his place. Unger, 50, has been with the department for more than 27 years in a variety of positions. As captain he will be heading special operations for the department.
“South County was one of my first beats,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed it there.”
But he started out working in the jails and transportation, moving into patrol five years after joining the department.
“I’m really a street patrol guy, that’s where my passion is, dealing with the community,” he said.
Unger has also been a k-9 officer, even a mounted patrol deputy, and has served on quite a few special units, including 25 years with the department dive team, 20 years with crowd control and 13 years with the off-road motorcycle unit. Cmdr. Lindley Zink, who is now Unger’s supervisor, said he is happy to have Unger at headquarters.
“He is extremely dedicated to the Sheriff’s Office, but also to the community,” he said. “He has a heart of gold, truly cares about the community.”
Unger said his wife of 10 years, Heidi, has been supportive of his career.
“I’d like to thank her, really appreciate her support and guidance,” he said.
He became a law enforcement officer because of another strong, supportive figure in his life, he said. His father, who was killed in a car accident when Unger was 12, raised him with “high values and morals.”
His South County co-workers, Unger said, have seemed more like family to him than co-workers, and he has grown fond of the community.
“It’s truly a great place to work,” he added.
Staying in touch with that community and organizations like the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance are an important part of the position, Unger said, and he would urge Peterson to continue the “community policing” that he enjoyed.
Peterson, who celebrates 25 years with the department this month, is not a stranger to the South County. He has spent time as a patrol supervisor here and says he looks forward to becoming involved in the community.
He also has a varied background with the department, serving as a K-9 officer with narcotics, various special assignments, working first in the jails and later with the California Highway Patrol in Gilroy.
“We’ve been working together on and off for years,” said Capt. Pete Rody. “He is a calm, deliberate person not prone to getting angry or upset. He thinks things through. Because of his nature, he can accomplish a lot and is well-respected.”
