Behind the Badge
Still in uniform or in suits, plenty of Anaheim police officers and staff looked as if they were at work at the City National Grove on Thursday, May 18.
But everyone was there to celebrate.
The APD’s 2017 Awards & Retirement Ceremony is one night when agency personnel get to blow off steam and show support for the good work of their colleagues while wishing others farewell.
Police Chief Raul Quezada thanked the many family members in attendance for their own sacrifices supporting those in duty.
Anaheim Police Chief Raul Quezada makes a few remarks during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
“Many birthdays, holidays and other special events are often missed as a result of the job,” Quezada said. “Despite this, you continue to support your loved ones and often handle the special events on your own. No one outside of law enforcement can truly understand the sacrifices the entire family makes when one is employed by or volunteers for a police department. For this, I thank you.”
Quezada also declared Anaheim Police “is like no other work family,” defined for decades by a sense of “community, teamwork and excellence.”
Much of that was on display at the ceremony at the Grove with the honorees as follows:
DIVISION EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR
Administration Division
Officer of the Year: Sgt. Matt Adrian
Officer of the Year in the Administration Division Sgt. Matt Adrian is recognized during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Employee of the Year: Kerrstyn Vega
Employee of the Year in the Administration Division Kerrstyn Vega is recognized by Capt. Jarret Young during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Chief’s Division
Officer of the Year: Sgt. Daron Wyatt
Officer of the Year in the Chief’s Division Sgt. Daron Wyatt is recognized during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Community Services Division
Officer of the Year: Lt. Tim Schmidt
Officer of the Year in the Community Services Division Lt. Tim Schmidt is recognized during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Employee of the Year: Jilene Melendez
Employee of the Year in the Community Services Division Jilene Melendez is recognized by Capt. Eric Carter during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Field Services Division
Officer of the Year: John Roman
Officer of the Year in the Field Services Division John Roman is recognized during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Employee of the Year: Erlie Nario
Employee of the Year in the Field Services Division Erlie Nario is recognized by Capt. Steve Marcin during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Investigations Division
Detective of the Year: James Pewsey
Detective of the Year in the Investigations Division James Pewsey is recognized by Deputy Chief Julian Harvey during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Employee of the Year: Janet Pomeroy
Employee of the Year in the Investigations Division Janet Pomeroy is recognized by Deputy Chief Julian Harvey during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Special Enforcement Division
Investigator of the Year: Greg Snell
Employee of the Year: David Marquez
Employee of the Year in the Special Enforcement Division David Marquez is recognized during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Support Services Division
Employee of the Year: Joseph Hockenberry
Employee of the Year in the Support Services Division Joseph Hockenberry is recognized by Deputy Chief Julian Harvey during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
HAROLD A. BASTRUP EXPLORER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Karina Trujillo
Karina Trujillo is recognized as the Explorer of the Year during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
RANDALL W. GASTON COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
TIP
Sgt. Brennan Leininger
Sgt. Brennan Leninger is recognized with the Community Service Award during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
VFW Officers of the Year
Officer Ed Arevalo
The VFW Officer of the Year Ed Arevalo is presented with the award by City Council members Stephen Faessel and Kris Murray during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
California Public Safety Radio
Dispatcher Catherine Cowhey
Randall W. Gaston Community Service Award winners Officer Ed Arevalo, third from left, Dispatcher Catherine Cowhey and Sgt. Brennan Leninger pose for a photo with City Council members Lucille Kring, left, Kris Murray, Denise Burden and Stephen Faessel during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
The VFW Officer of the Year Ed Arevalo poses for a photo with City Council members Stephen Faessel ,left, Kris Murray, Lucille Kring and Denise Barnes during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
COMMUNITY MEMBER RECOGNITION
West District: Nathan Zug
Nathan Zug is presented with the Community Member Recognition Award for the East District District by Chief Raul Quezada and Deputy Chief Julian Harvey during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Central District: Ashley White
Ashley White is presented with the Community Member Recognition Award for the Central District during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
East District: Lisa Lewis
Lisa Lewis is presented with the Community Member Recognition Award for the West District District during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
APA SURVIVORS & SCHOLARSHIP FUND RECIPIENTS
Carson Ciscel
Hunter Cooper
Jessica Helmick
Jessica Yepes
Scholarship fund recipients Hunter Cooper and Jessica Yepes are presented with checks by Financial Advisor Ryan Hawkins during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
LIFESAVING AWARDS
Recipients of the Lifesaving Awards take the stage during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Lt. Tracy Hittesdorf
Officer Eric Anderson
Officer Adrian Capacete
Officer Scott Eden
Officer Alisha Halczyn
Officer David Hill
Officer Anthony Karg
Officer Kenny Lee
Officer Andy Miller
Officer Cory Reinmiller
Officer Justin Sutherlin
Officer Lorenzo Uribe
Officer Shiao Wang
Officer Daniel Wolfe
JOSEPH T. MOLLOY CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
Division Commander Shelley McKerren
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Sgt. Daniel Gonzalez
Sgt. Nathan Stauber
Investigator Rick Mangarin
Investigator Greg Snell
Officer Cory Reinmiller
Officer Ryan Schmidt
Officer Lorenzo Uribe
Officer Ryan Wardle
Officer Justin Sutherlin
Officer Ken Weber
RETIRING
Retiring members of the Anaheim Police department are recognized for their work during Thursday’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Correctional Officer Arnold Alvarado (26 years of service)
Correctional Officer Rhonda Bruns-Alexander (24 years)
Communications Supervisor LeeAnn Cameron (30 years)
Det. Rodney Elliott (17 years)
Retiring Det. Rodney Elliot is recognized by Chief Raul Quezada during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Investigator Richard Estrada (23 years)
Retiring Investigator Richard Estrada is recognized by Chief Raul Quezada during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Officer Yesenia Escobar (8 years)
Retiring Officer Yesenia Escobar is recognized by Chief Raul Quezada during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Sgt. Michael Fernandez (20 years)
Retiring Sgt. Michael Fernandez is recognized by Chief Raul Quezada during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Sgt. Kasey Geary (29 years)
Retiring Sgt. Kasey Geary makes a few remarks as he is recognized during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Officer Ruben Gomez (17 years)
Retiring Officer Ruben Gomez is recognized by Chief Raul Quezada during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Officer Jeffrey “JJ” Imperial (23 years)
Sgt. William Jefferson (30 years)
Lt. James Kazakos (25 years)
Office Specialist II Elizabeth Lomeli (35 years)
PSR Rachael Lozano (32 years)
Officer Glenn Marumoto (15 years)
Officer Anthony Silvestri (22 years)
Retiring Officer Anthony Silvestri makes a few remarks as he is recognized during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Forensic Supervisor Mark Sveinson (31 years)
Helicopter Mechanic Eugene Vagnone (10 years)
Det. David Watson (27 years)
UNIT OF THE YEAR
Gang Detail
Gang Detail named Unit of the Year during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo courtesy of APD
Anaheim Police Department Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Master of Ceremony Michael Villani makes a few remarks at the start of Thursday’s event at City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Dyan Hobday sings the National Anthem during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
Abigail Vasquez sings “A Moment Like This” during the Anaheim Police Department’s Annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony Thursday at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Photo by Miguel Vasconcellos
