Norwalk’s Anthony Boyce honored by LASD

Anthony Boyce (left) and LASD detective Andrew Armes smile as Boyce receives the 2021 LASD Junior Partner of the Year Award for his work building the race patrol vehicle for the anti-street-race outreach event. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK - Norwalk High School and Cerritos College alumnus Anthony Boyce, 25, was given the LA Sheriff Department 2021 Junior Partner of the Year Award last week after he helped the LASD modify a Crown Victoria patrol car to race in their anti-street-racing public outreach event.

Boyce has a strong passion for automotive technology and repair. He began studying automotive technology with his teacher, Ken Cook, at Norwalk High School.

“I really like doing hands-on work. Working with motors and how to do bodywork is really interesting,” Boyce said. “Mr. Cook took me under his wing and we did the Skills USA competition.”

Boyce helped the school win second place at the Skills USA competition, where they compete against other high schools and colleges with a trade program. He continued the Skills USA competition into college and earned first place.

“Anthony really has inspired everybody that’s around him,” Cook said. “You know myself, the deputies, his family, the students, will love him.”

Boyce’s talent brought him attention and he was asked to assist the LASD in assembling their patrol vehicle for the anti-street-racing program.

LASD detective Andrew Armes oversees the project and recalls Boyce working very hard on the project.

“Anthony did all the bodywork and the sanding on it and did body filler,” said Armes. “He did a lot of the fitment and helped with removing some wiring that we needed to get rid of.”

In an article from Motor Trend magazine, Boyce is also seen unbolting the shock assembly from the engine crossmember and focusing on the vehicle’s suspension.

During the sheriff department’s anti-street racing event, individuals race against officers on a track to discourage street racing. The vehicle Boyce worked on will participate in the next event in the coming months.

The NHS alumnus recently secured a part-time job as an automotive technician at Rusty’s Automotive in Bellflower.

The owner of the automotive repair shop Russell “Rusty” Kimoto hired Boyce after he completed an apprenticeship through Goodwill’s disability services program, which helps disabled adults pursue their career.

Since Boyce is autistic, he qualified for the program.

“He is mainly doing basic car maintenance right now,” Kimoto said. “which is like testing automotive electrical systems, replacing brakes, oil and fluid checks, and checking the lighting systems.

Kimoto said he is interested in hiring Boyce full-time in the future.

Cook and Kimoto surprised Boyce with a party on Friday to celebrate his achievements and give Boyce his 2021 LASD Junior Partner of the Year Award.

“This really meant a lot to me,” Boyce said. “I really appreciate their support with my work.”

Boyce plans to continue his career in automotive repair, with a goal to open an automobile repair shop.