Emma Meinhardt, director of the Calaveras County Historical Society, presented a biography of Claude Ballard on behalf of the society, summarizing his family history, law-enforcement career and notable incidents that earned him local awards. Meinhardt said Ballard was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in 1925, moved to California with his family in the 1940s and later served as Calaveras County sheriff after winning election in 1978.

The presentation placed Ballard in historical context: Meinhardt described his Cherokee ancestry, noting that Samuel and Susie Ballard “walked the Trail of Tears” and referenced the Indian Removal Act of 1830. She said Ballard worked in logging before joining the sheriff’s reserve and rose to undersheriff under Sheriff Leach in 1959 before running for sheriff.

Meinhardt outlined several high-profile episodes from Ballard’s career. She said he assisted the FBI in the 1965 arrests of Army sergeant Robert Lee Johnson and James Allen Mittenbaugh on charges of selling information to the Soviet Union, and that Ballard intercepted some messages the two sent from areas around Meadowmont and Arnold. Meinhardt also cited Ballard’s role in the county’s 1980s campaign against marijuana cultivation, saying he was involved in a seizure that included about five tons of marijuana. She attributed related commendations and a declaration of heroism to that work.

The presentation described two mine-rescue incidents. Meinhardt said a boy who fell about 70 feet into a shaft in Copperopolis survived with only bruises after Ballard descended to rescue him. She also described a 1975 rescue in which two miners and two deputies suffered gas effects and Ballard “ran into the mine without an air pack and was able to pull all 4 of them out,” for which he received a medal of valor.

Meinhardt briefly referenced the Wilseyville killings, noting Ballard was sheriff as that case was unfolding and that identification of victims continued; she said she would not go into detail because victims were still being identified. She said Ballard retired around 1987 and died on Christmas Day 1987 in San Andreas; he is buried in Murphys. Meinhardt closed by inviting attendees to share memories about Ballard’s character and service.

Attendee recollections highlighted Ballard’s presence in the community. One resident who spoke, identified in the presentation as Bob, described an incident in Hathaway Pines in which Ballard arrived in a patrol car and quickly ended a large fight, saying Ballard was “a kind and gentle man, but don't cross him.” Meinhardt said colleagues and family remembered Ballard as proud of his heritage and helpful to youth; she quoted a final interview in which Ballard said the most rewarding part of his job was “helping kids.”

The presentation was discussion-only; no formal actions, votes or policy directions were taken. Meinhardt displayed scans and news clippings of Ballard’s awards, including an FBI commendation, a valor certificate from the attorney general for the mine rescue, and a declaration connected to anti-marijuana efforts. She opened the floor for additional personal recollections following her remarks.