Beach Paddle Out Scheduled To Honor Deputy Treinen

MALIBU, CA — The family of late Lost Hills Deputy Mike Treinen have organized a Zuma Beach paddle-out in his honor on Sunday. Participants will meet at Tower 14 of Zuma Beach at 10 a.m., and start paddling by 11.

Treinen, 57, was a retired deputy for the Malibu-Lost Hills Station, where he served for decades. He helped train many of the station’s current deputies, and served as Malibu’s homeless services liaison, and he frequently attended City Council meetings.

Treinen’s sudden death on April 6 caused an outpouring of grief around Malibu. Mayor Mikke Pierson said that Treinen was “universally loved”, and formed connections with many of the homeless individuals he helped find housing.

"In addition to being universally loved and respected by our residents, his personal connection to many homeless individuals in Malibu was a critical factor in so many of them getting the services they needed and eventually finding permanent housing,” Pierson said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his wife and children, as well as his brothers and sisters in the Sheriff's Department."

“He made personal connections with every person, no matter what the circumstance,” KBUU News General Manager Hans Laetz told the Malibu Times. “And that includes the dozens of homeless persons whom he assisted, getting them help and not jail. Mike [would] tear up - cry - every time I asked him for information about a homeless person who had died before Treinen could get them housed. He made friends with them, he gained their trust.”

The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station announced Treinen’s passing on Facebook, writing that he was “beloved by his community and by those who worked alongside him. Rest in Peace Mike, your service, humility and quiet strength will never be forgotten." The post garnered 135 comments and 117 shares, with many commenting on Treinen’s friendliness and dedication.

"My T.O. [training officer]," wrote one user. "Thank you Sir for all you taught me about not just LE [law enforcement], but life. Still trying to wrap my brain around this news. RIP Sir. Gone too soon."

A GoFundMe campaign to help the Treinen family can be found here.
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