'Caring' and 'Passionate' Tulare County deputy dies in crash

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department mourns once again.

For the group of men and women who worked alongside Sgt. Mike Yandell, they’ll remember his dedication to justice and his loyalty to the department. They recall his humor and love for the job.

Those who knew him best, call him, “one of the good ones,” and a “true friend.” He was a husband and the father to a son and daughter.

"He was the true definition of a hero. He was the guy with a golden heart and had room for everyone in it," said Sgt. Tiffany Mendoza, who'd worked with Yandell for nearly a dozen years. "So many people truly looked up to him. He was a one-of-a-kind person. The department has lost an irreplaceable man."

Yandell, a sergeant who most recently oversaw the Ag Crimes Unit, died just before midnight in a solo vehicle crash in Kings County. The California Highway Patrol reported that Yandell, 38, was traveling south on Seventh Avenue, near Houston Avenue, when he made an unsafe turn and veered into the northbound lanes and collided with a dirt embankment. He wasn't wearing his seat belt and was ejected, the CHP report said.

Yandell was off-duty at the time of the crash.

Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said the department is mourning the loss of a friend.

“Mike Yandell was a caring and passionate man who loved the Sheriff’s office,” Boudreaux said. “We are hurting with the loss of our friend.”

Yandell was a leader in the field and as president of the Tulare County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. He fought for deputies and the community. He was active in getting more water for East Porterville residents, he participated in numerous community events and helped ensure that deputies and their family were taken care of, in good times and bad.

He organized fundraisers and was integral in getting support for fallen deputies.

“Mike has touched so many lives through his presidency of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association in making sure families during times of tragedy were cared for,” Boudreaux said. “Now, we must all return his work by supporting and caring for his family, the way he would have taken care of ours.”

Members of the DSA reminded the hundreds of deputies how much time Yandell spent fighting for them.

“He sacrificed hundreds of hours of his personal time for the benefit of its members,” said Sgt. Joe Torres, vice president of the DSA,

Boudreaux said he’s coping as the sheriff but Yandell was a close personal friend, too. Boudreaux is supporting Yandell’s family, while trying to mourn with his.

“I ask for the prayers of the community and law enforcement family for the Yandell family during this difficult time,” the sheriff said.

Yandell began his career in 2000.  He started in the Main Jail, moved to headquarters patrol, Gang Violence Suppression Unit, and Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (STEP).

He had specialized training in SWAT, agricultural crimes, narcotics and asset forfeiture.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2012 and was assigned to the Sheriff’s Pixley Substation, according to the sheriff's department.

Yandell's father, Darrel Yandell, is a retired sheriff lieutenant.