Rudolfo Ramirez, this year's Carson City Latino Employee of the Year, enjoys his work as an investigator for the District Attorney's office.
He will be among honorees at the Salsas Gala Dinner hosted by Nevada Hispanic Services on Sept. 15. The event is part of the annual Salsa Y Salsas Festival.
"I'm so gratified for the opportunity to represent my community," he said. "It's a big honor for me."
Ramirez's fluency in English and Spanish allows him to serve as a liaison between the district attorney's office and the Hispanic community.
Bad experiences with law enforcement in their home countries can make some immigrants leery and, sometimes, fearful about dealing with authorities.
"We're really glad to have him," said Noel Waters, district attorney.
When his efforts result in these residents getting some sort of legal satisfaction or a fair break that causes these people to gain trust in local law enforcement officials or other authorities "it's highly rewarding," Ramirez said.
"We need to have positiveness within our community for people to understand us, our customs and cultures," he said.
He has worked for the city nearly two years, but has been in law enforcement for about 25 years. He came to Carson City from the district attorney's office in Las Vegas. His first law-enforcement job was with the New Mexico state police.
He sifts through evidence to help the city determine how to pursue cases. This includes doing general research and investigative tasks and ensuring witnesses get to court to testify.
Tracking down hard-to-locate people also is a big part of his job and is especially crucial in resolving child-support cases. Skip tracing is a skill that has become more high-tech in recent years with the rise of the Internet.
He also does language interpreting in child-support court cases and serves as a translator whenever else the need arises.
Ramirez is from New Mexico's Mesilla Valley. His uncle was the chief of police in Las Cruces. A Carson City resident, he is the father of nine children and grandfather of seven. He is the youngest of 11 children. He is the product of a blended family and is the patriarch of the same today, he said.
He also is involved with the League of United Latin American Citizens.
• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.