January 7, 2015
Dear Members of our Campus Community,
I am profoundly saddened to share with you the news that UC Santa Barbara Police Sergeant Jose Antonio (Tony) Borrayo passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours of January 4, 2015. He was at home with his family, and we join them in mourning this stunning loss.
Sergeant Borrayo first joined UC Santa Barbara in 1994. Prior to becoming a Police Officer, he worked at our University Center and in Transportation & Parking Services. Sergeant Borrayo was born and raised in Santa Barbara and graduated from Dos Pueblos High School before attending Santa Barbara City College.
Sergeant Borrayo was highly regarded throughout our community and campus for his long-standing commitment to community policing. He cared deeply about the safety and welfare of our students and all members of our community. Recently he joined an advocacy group on behalf of undocumented students and Dream Scholars. He was instrumental in creating the UC Santa Barbara Police Department Honor Guard, and was a leader in representing our department and community at ceremonies and events throughout the state. Sergeant Borrayo also provided dignitary protection to several highprofile campus visitors and received numerous written commendations. During his assignment as a Police Detective, Sergeant Borrayo established a highly collaborative relationship with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office and worked tirelessly to arrest and successfully prosecute a number of felony cases.
Sergeant Borrayo was admired and esteemed by his peers throughout Santa Barbara County, as evidenced by the vast array of awards and accolades he wore proudly on his uniform. He was honored with the prestigious H. Thomas Guerry Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Exceptional Service Citation, and Police Officer of the Quarter, and earned a Supervisory Certificate from California Peace Officers Standardized Training (P.O.S.T.).
Sergeant Borrayo has left an indelible mark on our campus community, and he will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Tony’s wife of 15 years, Carrie; to his mother, Elbia Borrayo; to his step-children, Rosa Gravitt and Devin Day; and to all of his family members, colleagues, and friends. A memorial service will be held at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Goleta at 10 a.m. this Friday, January 9, and all of our UC Santa Barbara Police Officers are wearing mourning bands over their badges in his memory. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Sergeant Tony Borrayo Memorial Account” at Lompoc Community Bank, 705 W. Central Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436.
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor