A South Valley legend so popular he became the subject of a Disney movie has taken a hard fall. They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It reviewed 87 cases. Whether it be Burglary, Financial Crimes Detail, Homicide, Narcotics Investigations, Sexual Assault, Special Enforcement (Gang), or Vice, he worked in every department at one point or the other. Jim White moves his family after losing his last job as a football coach, and at his new school he turns seven disappointing students into one of the best cross-country teams in the region. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. DANNY DIAZ : Yeah, if you drive600 miles out . Damacio Diaz, photo courtesy of Mama Latina Tips. The community of McFarland still works as a village to raise their youth. The ramifications of the corruption scandal could be large. Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. . But I still do that and I coach. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) Yet his desire to always be at the front and center of action soon reached such an extent that he started blurring the line between right and wrong, resulting in his arrest in November 2015. DIAZEugenia Vasquez Diaz loving wife, mother, grandmother passed away on August 1, 2012 at the age of 94. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. They spoke often of God and their church, as well as the work they do there. So Im always looking out for their kids. was like to have a movie made about his Then to keep him on the narrow road or that straight road is tough. Sunny to partly cloudy. Our father never could ever go watch us race. Honestly, as we sat and talked with the Diaz brothers 3things were very apparent. Damacio Diaz was a Bakersfield police detective who was sentenced to five years in prison in October 2016 for stealing drugs to put back onto the street. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. inspired to strive for something beyond I feel like if hes gone, I wont have anyone, said Diazs daughter Caroline, a student at Bakersfield College who had originally planned to attend UCLA. And he told me I want them to get their education, so I will go back and get my education. Their parents are also highly regarded by each of them and they obviously have a deep love for the family unit. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. So, my dad worked ten, twelve, thirteen, fourteen hours a day sometimes and both of them [his parents] come from large families. . By Laura Donaldson On 2/3/23 at 8:00 AM EST His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. [CHUCKLES] And about two years ago, Mr. White, you help me pull? Damacio Diaz is one of the subjects of new Hulu documentary Killing County. They are amazing guys who still have that humble hardworking attitude! To make up for the time they couldn't work in the fields due to cross country practice, Jim White would sometimes give his time to them by helping them pick in the fields. Diaz, a 17-year Bakersfield cop, worked on 32 cases involving 53 defendants, with 20 requiring letters, she said. We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. -LCU.edu, Yes. 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Therefore, Damacio pleaded guilty to bribery, possession, attempted possession with the intent to distribute, and false income tax returns on May 31, 2016 hed resigned from BPD months prior. These guys are amazing and it was a pleasure meeting them and listening to them. But even worse, they say he tipped off the drug dealer when police might be coming his way, even giving the guy information from a secret wiretap. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. The movie pushes up his arrival and coaching position at McFarland to 1987, the first year his cross country team attended and won the state championship (1987 was also the very first year that California had a state championship). FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. The love they genuinely have for him was heartfelt and true. He also was indicted on charges of disclosing wiretap information to a criminal partner, interfering with a criminal investigation, and other felonies, but those charges were dismissed in the plea agreement. [LAUGHS] These guys had all the pressure. White retired in 2002 afterteaching in McFarland schools for 40 years and coaching for 25 years. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High JIM WHITE : From my aspect, I guess it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for my wife and I. The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. The former teammates arenot only working in their hometown, but also raising their families there andactively supporting the cross-country teams of today by coaching, helping outwith the meets and practices and donating goods or money so the teams havewhat they need. Its hard to understand how he could do both.. Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put them back on the street, released from custody Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. So, with myself, they [CHUCKLES] made me chubby in the movie. How often do you guys still train together with the new students? Under the circumstances, theres absolutely no issue of dual justice here, he said. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. They still believe in him, and so does his attorney, David A. Torres, who said, "He is and was a hero, in my opinion, and he is the same Damacio Diaz he is.". As a documentary series that delves deep into the alleged corruption, cover-ups, and crimes within the Bakersfield Police Department over the years, Hulus Killing County is unlike any other. Diaz was a Tulare county sheriffs deputy years ago, but he's been at the Bakersfield police department for 17 years, the last four as a narcotics detective. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. So the only way I could get some of them into some of the fields that I had to do the work with them. Though it is very close, Jim White likely wouldn't have had a clear view of it from his classroom window, as a street of homes separates the school's athletic fields from the prison grounds. "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. PrepCalTrack.com conducted this Jim White McFarland, USA comes to theaters on Friday, February 20th. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to bein the movie. These I was able have aninterview with Jim White and the Diaz brothers (David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz) who are the real life inspirations behind the McFarland, USA film. View Public Details & Court Records. His partner, Patrick Mara, admitted to selling methamphetamine. The McFarland, USA true story supports that McFarland High School won nine CIF California State Championships in cross country (including five in a row) and held a streak of attending the state championship meet 24 years in a row. country team. Both are about to begin five-year federal prison sentences for their crimes. PUBLISHED: October 4, 2016 at 7:44 a.m. | UPDATED: October 4, 2016 at 7:53 a.m. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie . He advised her to first trust in God, as the Almighty, he said, is not subject to the weaknesses and failings of humankind. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. No foul language or nudity - just fresh air. He also committed serious, reprehensible crimes. Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. Right before interviewing Kevin Costner (see that here), we had the great privilege of interviewing the real life inspirations behind the new Disney film, McFarland, USA, Coach Jim White and the Diaz brothers, David, Damacio and Danny.They were so charming, and funny, and honest. Twitter. Is that still happening in McFarland? As he walked a Hollywood red carpet in February and talked to Action News anchor Graciela Moreno about McFarland USA, little did Diaz know his life was ready to unravel. interview. Diaz pleaded guilty last spring as part of a plea agreement that became public in May. After nearly three decades as a defense attorney, Torres said, he has seen people charged with trafficking in narcotics sentenced to much less prison time, and hes seen the reverse. DANNY DIAZ : Uh, well, that was the last race for that year. He offers the kids a chance Diaz may be a free man later tonight, but he's facing life in prison for allegedly helping a meth dealer get drugs and stay undetected, all while he was supposed to be a narcotics detective. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in. But if it werent for sports our kids would be lost, because its either education and sports or the streets. -LA Times. . See Sites with Your Personal Info. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. Clovis PD investigating woman's death, asking public to avoid area. If it were ethical, I would pay to have you go to UCLA, he said, noting that it clearly was not. Now college is very encouraged, but back in the dayI wouldnt say that a fifth of the folks in high school ended up [finishing], especially folks of our color and our culture. 1998 July - Damacio Diaz hired by the Bakersfield Police Department. His attorney says he should be home for the holidays and then back in court in Fresno in January. All the notoriety that theyre getting and what this man over here, Mr. White, our coach, has brought to not just our program but to our community. And thatsthe one we have now. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. McFarland, USA: Directed by Niki Caro. His life story had been portrayed in the Disney movie "McFarland, USA". DANNY DIAZ : east from McFarland, Mr. White here would take us to the hills. It was fat. In our case, you know, theres seven and my dad worked a lot of hours. These I was able have an interview with Jim White and the Diaz brothers (David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz) who are the real life inspirations behind the McFarland, USA film. Both had their sentences reduced. A drug and corruption scandal has rocked the Bakersfield Police Department. DANNY DIAZ : And we played basketball the entire week. Join Facebook to connect with Damacio Diaz and others you may know. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney speaks to the news media after former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Fresno to five years in federal prison. We dont have actually any [CHUCKLES] malls. Its grown a little bit in the last two, three years but not much has changed. Two years later, we signed with another one, not quite that often, but it took a long process. The most police executions. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? He called it a fair sentence, under the circumstances, and rejected the suggestion that it was an example of dual justice: one set of standards for those viewed with favor by the system, and another set for those without resources or with no history of working in the criminal justice system. [LAUGHS] Much worse. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. He would beat us up all the time. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, (L-R) David Diaz, Danny Diaz and Damacio Diaz attend the premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner.. It gave you character. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Thanks! Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Those are the two extremes and those are the two options that are there for our community. McFarland USA, released in 2015and starring Kevin Costner, is based on the McFarland High School cross-country team that won the California championship in 1987. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. Noel Carter, 45, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today for conspiring with Bakersfield police officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana that Diaz and Mara seized in the course of their duties as police officers, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Though according to Damacios own account in the Hulu production, his dreams and aspirations took a complete turn once he witnessed some adrenaline-pumping, actual police work first-hand. on their time as cross country runners Theyre looking out for my kids and were trying to police each other, because its very easy to get distracted and go way off course. A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. The legendary former McFarland Sports in high school can make or break a young man. She changed her plans following her fathers indictment. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner. On October 3, 2016 Diaz was sentenced to five years in prison for bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and making and subscribing a false income tax return.