Behind the Badge
Behind the Badge OC staff members took home seven awards, including four first-place honors, at the 2016 Excellence in Journalism Contest on Thursday night.
The awards, sponsored by the Orange County Press Club, were for stories and photographs published or posted in 2015. Behind the Badge OC launched in summer 2014.
Journalism professionals from outside Orange County, many out of state, judged the entries.
The awards, most in the digital/blogs category, were handed out May 26 at a dinner at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach:
First Place, Best Lifestyle or Family Blog
Greg Hardesty, Jaimee Lynn Fletcher, Lori Basheda
First Place, Best Feature Story
Greg Hardesty
Meth addict credits a Fullerton PD officer for turning his life around
First Place, Best News Feature Story
Greg Hardesty
After 40 years, La Palma Police believe they have found their killer
First Place, Best News Photo
Steven Georges
Funeral for an 18-year-old Buena Park PD explorer
Second Place, Best Feature Story
Jaimee Lynn Fletcher
Crips gang member shot in face reunites with Tustin PD officers
Second Place, Best News Story
Greg Hardesty
Funeral for an 18-year-old Buena Park PD explorer
Third Place, Best Slideshow
Steven Georges
Garden Grove Police worry that predicted monster El Nino will put homeless in peril
