Funeral services held for slain brothers [The Bakersfield Californian]

May 08--Hundreds turned out Tuesday morning for the funeral service of two brothers who were shot and killed in southwest Bakersfield last month while trying to apprehend a convict who'd skipped bail.

Zachary and Brandon Sims both worked for their father's business, Bad Dog Bail Bonds. Daniel Ortiz, one of the attendees of the funeral, said he'd previously worked for Bad Dog and had fond memories of the brothers.

Ortiz knew Brandon, 23, better than Zachary, 26, because Zachary was only recently honorably discharged after serving five years in the U.S. Navy. Ortiz said Brandon and his father, Vince Sims, were best friends and Brandon wanted to be just like his dad.

"Brandon wanted to do everything his dad did, only do it better," Ortiz said with a laugh.

He called the brothers' deaths a tragedy felt around the country, and said he was personally stunned when he heard the news.

Zachary and Brandon Sims had gone to the 7800 block of Kamloops Drive on April 26 to take Zachary Perrick into custody for skipping bail, according to Bakersfield police. As they were apprehending Perrick another man at the residence, Stephen Michael Stewart, opened fire and hit both brothers multiple times, police said.

Both died at the scene. Vince Sims has said his sons didn't even know Stewart was in the house.

Stewart has been charged with offenses including two counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bail.

Bail agents from outside Kern County who attended the funeral at Greenlawn Southwest Mortuary said the Sims' deaths are a tragic reminder of the dangers of the job of a bail recovery agent.

Zeke Unger, a recovery agent out of Los Angeles, said a lot of young people are joining the industry with the idea it's a glamorous job that can bring riches. The truth, Unger said, is it's mostly boring work that at times puts your life at risk.

Unger said he and other agents want legislation passed so there are basic operating standards in place. Currently there are no specific licensing requirements for bail fugitive recovery agents.

A person entering this line of work needs to be prepared, Unger said.

"We're chasing fugitives, dangerous people who are on the run from the law and will do anything to stay free," he said.

Randy K. Parton traveled from Florida to pay his respects to the Sims family. He said he didn't know the brothers personally but has worked with their father in the past.

Parton said he wanted to express his sympathy over two deaths that happened while the victims were just trying to do their job.

"This is the greatest fear of any of us in this business," Parton said.

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