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Deputy retires and intends to travel

(Updated: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 6:01 PM)

After more than two decades of service with more than 1,200 cases cleared, Madera County Deputy Sheriff Mike Molsbergen is retiring.

Molsbergen joined the Madera County Sheriff’s Department Jan. 19, 1989. For most of his career with the Sheriff’s Department, he served as chief deputy coroner, and in recognition of his performance was named California State Coroner’s Association ‘Coroner of the Year’ in 2006.

Part of his duties handling coroner’s investigations included locating next of kin. The job was demanding and at times difficult. According to a Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, ‘no matter how tough tracking down relatives might be, Molsbergen did everything he could to avoid relying on the press. He referred to the media as ‘our last resort.’ He followed the conviction that names of those who perish can never be released until next of kin is notified first. He felt it was his duty and moral responsibility that he deliver the news in person before it became public.’

There was one case in particular that proved challenging but not impossible. In 2003 he received a call from a funeral chapel that was under new management. The new agency discovered three unclaimed cremated remains dating back to 1993, 1994 and 1995. Molsbergen was able to discern the names of the dead, then followed trails of address changes, conducted history and background checks, called health departments and in one case contacted Veterans Administration. ‘He did everything he could, exhausting every angle, to make sure loved ones would be reached,’ said the spokeswoman in a press release.

He was able to find relatives of two but learned there were no longer living relatives of the third. Based on the man’s age, Molsbergen began scouring military records and discovered he served during WWII. After further research, Molsbergen contacted a representative from the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine. Together they started the necessary procedures in preparing a new permit for the disposition of the remains so they could be delivered to the National Cemetery for proper burial. After three days Molsbergen closed this case stating in his report, ‘All remains placed with family or properly interred.’

Molsbergen also played a key role in the Sheriff’s efforts to solve some of the toughest murder cases in our county’s history.

One case involved finding relatives of a woman whose body had been found in an almond orchard off Highway 99 in April 2003. Through fingerprint analysis the department was able to identify the victim.

It was up to Molsbergen to find next of kin. It took him five days.

Molsbergen spent his career shielding loved ones, including those who had disappeared only to be found alive.

Such was the case in a rare investigation he personally handled. Molsbergen considered the assignment one his most rewarding challenges.

In February of 2005, a woman called the office saying that she was trying to find her half sister – last seen 20 years ago. The two girls had been separated shortly after their mother was murdered.

Through the course of his investigation he discovered the missing half-sister had numerous names — changed at least four times since her disappearance and her address changed more than 20. Nonetheless Molsbergen succeeded in locating the missing sibling.

The two girls (one living in Fresno, the other in the Pacific Northwest) were reunited. Sheriff John Anderson once said of Deputy Molsbergen, ‘Few agencies are blessed to have the kind of dedication he exhibits.’ Describing his work ethic, Anderson said his success was based on ‘his overwhelming devotion to his job, and the personal pride he takes in every assignment he takes on.’

In his retirement, Molsbergen intends to travel.

Deputy Sheriff Mike Molsbergen officially retires his uniform on March 31.