A special ceremony held Thursday evening at the Ceres Community Center saw the swearing-in of a new Ceres Police officer and the promotions of three department veterans.
The newest hiring leaves Police Chief Rick Collins with the task of hiring two additional officers to replace officers who have moved on, and two more officer positions created by the City Council in the 2019-20 fiscal year budget.
Adam Hall was hired June 19 as Ceres’ newest police officer, coming from service with Gustine and Los Banos police agencies. Hall is a Ceres High School graduate who attended Modesto Junior College, Merced Junior College and Delta College.
He enjoys fishing and camping.
Witnessing his swearing-in were members of his family that included his sister.
Promotions were also in order for Lt. Patrick “Pat” Crane who became a captain; Sgt. Danny Vierra who became a lieutenant; and Bryan Ferreira who was promoted to sergeant.
Crane started with the Ceres PD in 1999 after spending six and a half years with Gustine Police. During his years with CPD he has served as a patrol officer, field training officer and SWAT member and was assigned to the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency. After his 2009 promotion to sergeant, Crane oversaw schedules, the field training program, policy manual and volunteers, explorer scouts and police chaplains. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2016 and was the special operations lieutenant in charge of detectives, dispatchers, records, outside training and property and evidence.
Pat’s wife of eight years, Susan, pinned on his new badge as daughter Kylie, mother Jean, sister Tracy and others watched on. The couple has one granddaughter, Riley.
Danny Vierra, who has been employed with the Ceres Police Department for 25 years, was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant.
Since 1994 he has rotated through various posts, including patrol officer, field training officer, detective in the Crimes against Persons division, traffic officer, supervisor of the K-9 unit, and Crisis Negotiation Team supervisor. He was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and oversaw the patrol and traffic divisions.
In addition to his regular duties, Vierra served 16 years as a police impact weapons instructor, 15 years as a police emergency driving instructor and 17 years as a police drivers’ training instructor. For 17 years Vierra has been a member of the Ceres Police Officers Association Board, including president.
Joining him for the ceremony was his wife since 1983, Cindy, with whom he had three biological children and four children for which they adopted, fostered or had long-term guardianship. They have 10 grandchildren.
Three of Vierra’s sons are in law enforcement – two with Ceres Police. Sons Mike Vierra and Kao Saechao are Ceres Police officers and son Matt is a detective with Atwater Police Department. Other family members watching were daughter Lisa and son Anthony.
Bryan Ferreira, who comes from a law enforcement family, was promoted to rank of sergeant. He joined the Ceres Police Department in 2001 after three years with the Merced County Sheriff’s Department. In the past 15 years Ferreira has worked as a patrol officer, school resource officer, field training officer, SWAT/Sniper Team member, K-9 handler and homicide detective.
Bryan’s father, Frank Ferreira, is a retired Los Banos Police officer and brother Michael works for the California Highway Patrol.
Witnessing his promotion were family members who included daughters Taylor and Madison, parents Frank and Emily and girlfriend Kindree.
Police Chaplain Gary Wold provided the invocation, asking for God’s blessings and protection for all members of law enforcement in the room and in Ceres.
