RESERVE DEPUTY JUMPED INTO ROLE AS RESCUER AND HAS STUCK AROUND.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

For nearly a quarter-century, Les White been a right-hand man for the sheriff's station.

He has patrolled from the sky, ridden as an observer with the Lancaster station's Aero Unit helicopter, worked as an emergency medical technician with an air squad, helped detectives with search warrants, and searched for and rescued dozens of lost or injured people, including by rappelling down a mountain.

All of this has been part of White's work as a reserve with Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue, for which he earns $1 a year.

``I don't work because I have to,'' said White, a 63-year-old Lancaster resident who holds the rank of reserve sergeant. ``This is something I really enjoy doing.''

It was in 1972 that he joined the Antelope Valley Mounted Posse and Search and Rescue, when White worked as a building and supplies supervisor with GTE.

``I was always doing a lot of outdoor activities,'' White said. ``I love to just sit on the side of a mountain and enjoy the air. I figure I'd be a natural at something like this.''

White had also assisted in a few rescues on his own, which persuaded him to become a reserve.

White recalls the time he and two friends were driving on a hunting trip to Utah when a car ahead of them went over the side of the road.

They flagged down a motorist who called police, then he and his friends scaled the mountain, administered first aid and stayed with the victims until help arrived.

``I'm just a softhearted sucker,'' White said. ``I need to help.''

As a reserve deputy, White has climbed to the rank of captain, a position he held for six years before starting over at the rank of deputy.

``We try and give everyone a chance to move up,'' said White, who likely will be a captain again. ``You just have to want to take on the extra responsibilities.''

Reserves obtain the same responsibilities as regular sheriff's deputies as they are promoted. Higher-ranking officers manage deputies and handle more of the administrative duties.

``We have to constantly train and keep up with our equipment,'' said White. ``We also have lots of paperwork.''

As part of his regular duties, White and other reserve deputies on the search and rescue team are always on call. When their services are needed, they come straight in and begin work.

Sometimes it's a mountain rescue, other times hikers are missing in the wilderness.

During the winter months, the search and rescue team will stand by in Wrightwood near snowy playgrounds, prepared for any accidents that might occur.

White retired in 1988 from GTE and soon began looking for something to fill his days. He offered his help at the local sheriff's station and it became something of a second career.

``It seemed like I was in the station every other day,'' he said.

During that time, White learned to act as observer in the sheriff's helicopter, trailing crime suspects and assisting the pilot.

One day, White served as an emergency medical technician with Air Squad 5, which provides emergency assistance and transports the injured.

On several occasions, White assisted sheriff's detectives in warrant services and investigations.

``If I wasn't a reserve, I would never get to do any of these things,'' White said. ``Being a reserve has given me a lot of opportunities. You just have to be willing to help. It makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile.''

Last year, White became a community service officer, a paid position. CSOs take reports, help with traffic control, write traffic tickets and assist wherever needed.

White applied for the position when the Sheriff's Department eliminated its intern program and opened the field to civilians - with no age requirement.

``I figured I was always at the station - why not get paid?'' said White. ``I don't think of this as working. It's fun for me. It's a pleasure.''

During the final weeks of the station opening, White was assigned to help a sheriff's sergeant in monitoring contracts and contractors and to make sure some of the final stages of construction were complete.

``They realized I had some background in this and gave me the job,'' White said. ``It was a benefit to them that I bring in my past knowledge.''

White isn't thinking about hanging up his uniform anytime soon, in spite of his long service time and seniority with the sheriff's department.

``I still have a few years on me,'' White said. ``Maybe when I'm 70 I'll think of retiring.''

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Photo: (color) Veteran reserve Deputy Les White now works a s a community service officer at the sheriff's station.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News