The San Luis Obispo Police Department is proud to announce that on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Detective Sofia Marques of the San Luis Obispo Police Department will be honored by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) with the Helene and Joseph Sherwood Family Prize for Combating Hate.
The ADL Sherwood Prize recognizes public safety professionals across the State of California – officers, first responders, civilian employees, prosecutors, etc. – who make a significant difference in their communities, serve as role models for their departments by going above and beyond to protect all community members from hatred and bigotry.
In August 2025, Detective Marques began investigating bomb threats made on social media targeting Jewish synagogues in our San Luis Obispo community. Detective Marques and her team tracked and located the suspect, engaged and supported victims, and ultimately arrested the person responsible for the credible threats. Through her efforts, the suspect was not released after being booked on hate crime charges by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office. Based on the serious nature of the charges, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reviewed the case and filed federal charges. The suspect remains on federal supervision until trial.
Detective Marques has been a police officer for thirteen years and joined the San Luis Obispo Police Department in December 2021. She has worked in several special assignments including Motors (Traffic Bureau), Honor Guard, Drone Team Leader and Pilot, Collision Reconstruction, Crisis Negotiation, Peer Support, and is now a Detective, assigned to the department’s Investigative Bureau. Detective Marques also serves as a member of the California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
They offer their most heartfelt thanks to the Anti-Defamation League and their outstanding Jewish community partners for honoring Detective Marques with this very special recognition in their continuous pursuit to eliminate hate in San Luis Obispo.