Our Story & Mission
Driven by personal experience and a desire to serve those who serve us.
Timothy Gardner
Founder of Thin Blue Line Support
I served as a Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff from 2017 to 2023, beginning my career in custody before transitioning to patrol at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station. During my time in law enforcement, I gained invaluable experience in leadership, decision-making, and serving the community. I was terminated in September 2023 and as of October 2025 am still in the Civil Service process to get my job back.
One of the most impactful moments of my life was the loss of one of my partners, Deputy Ryan “Clink” Clinkunbroomer, who was tragically killed in the line of duty. His memory continues to inspire me to live with purpose, integrity, and resilience.
Outside of my professional life, I’m a husband and proud father, and my family is at the center of everything I do.
In July 2022, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Palmdale Station, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven without headlights. Inside was one male (driver) and four women, with all but the male and one woman holding children rather than placing the children in car seats. The children were approximately two years old, six months old and three weeks old. The driver was determined to be driving while intoxicated. Deputies determined this constituted felony child endangerment and attempted to take the male and the three women who were holding their childern into custody while ensuring the children’s safety.
The driver was arrested without incident and the woman with the approximate two year old surrendered her child and was arrested without incident.
The female with the six month old refused to peacefully surrender her child and a minor use of force utilizing basic control holds occured. The child was secured and the suspect was arrested.
When the suspect with the three week old infant was confonted and instructed to hand over her baby, she refused, declaring that she did not have custody of her baby and deputies would have to shoot her in order to take her baby. Deputies attempted to gain compliance using control holds, and during the struggle, the suspect yelled "You're breaking my babies leg". I (Deputy Timothy Gardner) observed the only person touching the infant was the suspect. Fearing the suspect was breaking the infants leg, I punched her twice in the face, causing her to release the baby and I was able to secure the infant and the suspect was then taken into custody.
The video of the incident later became a subject of review. While some accounts noted that it was unclear if both punches made full contact, Russell appeared to react as if they had. Supporters of Gardner argued the intervention was intended to protect the infant and quickly resolve a dangerous situation.
After the incident, I continued working the following day before being benched (removed from patrol and placed on admin duties). The Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau (ICIB) reviewed the case but declined to take it within the first four months due to absolutly no evidence that I had done anything wrong. From months five through nine, I returned to field duty under Internal Affairs (IA) review. During this period, I also became a mentor.
Between months ten and twelve, I was re-benched and eventually interviewed by IA. I was placed on Relief of Duty (ROD) just two days before receiving an “Intent to Fire.” Due to potential threats and media exposure, I was advised to keep a low profile while also beginning to see a psychologist for mental health support.
I received a Skelly hearing notice for September 25th. On September 28, 2023, I was notified of my termination, with official paperwork finalized the following day. I have since filed an appeal and am currently proceeding through the Civil Service process.