DEPUTY PATROLS FAMILIAR BEAT: HIS HOMETOWN.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

Since starting with the Sheriff's Department more than 15 years ago, Deputy Bill Axelrod's career has taken quite a turn.

Ten years ago, he was sitting on a street corner posing as a male prostitute. Today, he's a resident deputy who finds his job more like a daily parade - he patrols his hometown, waving to people as they wave back.

``It's a weird feeling to be the local constable,'' Axelrod said. ``It's a real 180 (degree turn).''

As resident deputy for the communities of Lake Hughes, Leona Valley, Green Valley and Lake Elizabeth, where he has lived for more than eight years, the 42-year-old father of two puts a personalized touch to crime-fighting in the area.

As part of the job, which he assumed April 5, Axelrod attends rural town council meetings, school board meetings and Neighborhood Watch meetings, answering questions about crime or talking to people about problems in the area.

Once Axelrod was off-duty and getting ready to go to the gym with his wife when he received a call at home from a friend. The friend told him two neighbors were fighting in the street with ax handles.

Although other deputies had already been dispatched, Axelrod put on his gun belt and headed over, too. With the help of other neighbors, he detained the men until the on-duty deputies arrived.

``I know these people,'' said Axelrod. ``They expect me to roll.''

Axelrod says townsfolk come up to him to welcome him in his new assignment.

``They're very helpful,'' said Axelrod. ``They want to keep it peaceful. They want to keep it rural.''

Since he took over the resident deputy job, Axelrod has made two arrests, investigated a burglary, searched for a naked man running down the street and assisted in the investigation of the suicide of a San Fernando Valley man, who drove into the desert to kill himself.

While he doesn't mind the slow pace, Axelrod is used to more activity.

He spent three years at the West Hollywood sheriff's station, including a stint with a specialized vice unit.

``It was hook, book - take everybody you see to jail,'' said Axelrod. ``We would arrest up to 20 or 25 prostitutes a night.''

After leaving West Hollywood, Axelrod was assigned to the Santa Clarita station, working the night shift.

``I never saw my kids,'' said Axelrod. ``For 12 years I was working, sleeping or eating.''

Now Axelrod's job is to stay visible.

``The more I can explore the area, the more activity I can initiate,'' said Axelrod, who believes the foothill communities' two biggest crime problems are narcotics and theft.

Axelrod said he decided to become a sheriff's deputy after serving in the Navy and training as an aircraft mechanic. He took the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department test on a whim after he was laid off by Lockheed Skunk Works.

``I wasn't one who grew up wanting to be a cop,'' he said.

He feels the decision was the right one.

``This is the best job I can have,'' said Axelrod. `I think this is my calling.''

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color in AV Edition only) ``This is the best job I can have. I think this is my calling.''

- Deputy Bill Axelrod

pictured right

(2) (Ran in SAC Edition only) Though his beat is usually quiet, Deputy Bill Axelrod serves as a key community link.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News