Chief Brad Rasmussen

~The Awesome Chief Brad Rasmussen from the Lakeport Police Department in California, Is Determined to Solve the Homicide of Barbara Gaye LaForge, and the Missing Person Case of Steven William Branston

The Chief has a passion for policing and it is evident in his 30-year career in law enforcement.

He has experience in municipal executive management and he is a team member in public safety, emergency services, critical incident management, preparedness and disaster response, criminal justice, criminal investigations, government affairs, internal affairs, background investigations, surveillance, intelligence, crime prevention and is involved in non profit volunteer operations. 

Chief Rasmussen is very passionate about solving two cases that are very close to his heart. You will hear about them in this Podcast interview.

 I have witnessed first hand the Chiefs passion as we have worked together on the missing Steven William Branston case. I completed two forensic art age progressions of Steven to the age of 40 years old back in 2016. Steven William Branston was reported missing in Lakeport, California in October 1996 but last known to be in Honolulu, Hawaii in August 1996.

Steven Branston, date of birth 3/11/1976, was living in Lakeport, California. He had a phone conversation with his parents on 8/1/1996 and mentioned he was planning on moving to Hawaii. He has not been heard from since.
On 8/5/1996 he arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii. He transferred his social security income there and attempted to cash a check in October but was not allowed, as he didn’t have identification. However there have been reported sightings of him but nothing has been confirmed. He rented a storage locker (Hy-Pac Self Storage) but payment for this stopped in November 1996. Prior to Steven’s disappearance he was taking medication for schizophrenia.
Steven is described as 6’ tall, 170lbs, blue eyes, brown hair, at the time of disappearance long curly hair, possibly in a ponytail and may have a light curly beard. He had a history of smoking cigarettes. He may have been wearing a scarf headband, a tie-dye shirt or black or white shirt, jeans or cut offs and sandals.

Where is Steven today? What happened to him back in 1996?

You will also hear how the Chief is determined to solve the homicide of 43-year-old Barbara Gaye LaForge. She went to work one day and was murdered in the morning of October 8^th, 2002. Barbara was shot four times at close range with a .22-caliber weapon at the Wildwood Frame Shop and Inspirations Gallery on Main St. in downtown Lakeport, California. Her body was discovered hours later that day. When I look at Barbara’s photographs, I can see her beautiful smile, which lights up her face and gorgeous eyes that look so genuine. This is very sad what happened to her.

The Governor’s office has issued a $50,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for her murder.

Chief Rasmussen is committed to using every available resource in order to bring the responsible persons to justice.

Solving these cases continues to be the Lakeport Police Department’s highest priority.

Lakeport Police Department, 2025 South Main Street, Lakeport CA 95453

Phone Number: 707-263-5491    Fax Number: 707-263-3846      info@lakeportpolice.org

Honolulu, Hawaii Police Department 808-529-3111 or 808-529-3394

 https://www.facebook.com/LakeportPolice/

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lakeport Police by sending us a private message on our Facebook page @LakeportPolice or by sending us an anonymous message through Nixle on your cellular telephone by texting the words TIP LAKEPORT followed by your message to 888777.

www.canihelpfindyourmissinglovedone.com under TIPS (you may also leave a tip and we will forward it to Chief Brad Rasmussen)

~Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode.
You may be the reason a missing loved one comes home or a murderer is caught and taken off the streets.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1004203

Mission Statement
The Lakeport Police Department is dedicated to providing a safe environment for those who live, work and visit in the City of Lakeport.  The Department is committed to providing high quality law enforcement services consistent with professional standards and best police practices, and to protecting and respecting the rights of all citizens.  The Department provides 24-hour police services to the Lakeport community.  Services include uniformed patrol and traffic enforcement, parking enforcement, canine patrol, narcotics task force services, community relations and crime prevention.