GUSTINE, Calif. — Gustine Police Chief Ruben Chavez recently participated in a special 9/11 memorial tribute video produced by the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office, joining fellow law enforcement leaders to honor the lives lost in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and reflect on the enduring spirit of public service.
The video, set to be released by the FBI on September 11 at 10 a.m., features Chief Chavez alongside Sacramento FBI Supervising Agent in Charge Sid Patel and Chief Jason Hedden. All three are graduates of the FBI National Academy, a prestigious program that fosters leadership and collaboration among law enforcement professionals nationwide.
Filmed inside the FBI’s Sacramento studio, the tribute marks a rare collaboration between federal and local agencies in commemorating one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Chavez described the experience as both humbling and memorable, noting it was his first time reading from a teleprompter.
“It was an honor to be invited and to stand alongside leaders who share a deep commitment to public safety,” Chavez said. “The studio setup was impressive, and the final product came out beautifully.”
While several other FBI National Academy alumni from the Sacramento region were invited to participate, scheduling conflicts prevented their attendance. The video will be shared simultaneously across FBI and local agency social media platforms, including the Gustine Police Department’s official accounts.
California is home to four FBI field offices—Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego—each playing a critical role in regional coordination and counterterrorism efforts. The Sacramento office, which led the production, has long partnered with Central Valley law enforcement agencies on training and community engagement.
Chief Chavez said the tribute serves not only as a remembrance of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11, but also as a reaffirmation of the values that unite law enforcement across jurisdictions: service, resilience, and accountability.
The video will be available for public viewing starting at 10 a.m. on September 11 via the Gustine Police Department’s social media channels and the FBI Sacramento Field Office’s official platforms.
