Behind the Badge
On a soft spring night in Santa Ana, the Santa Ana Police Department and Fairhaven Park and Mortuary met to honor and thank officers for their service at the annual Fairhaven Responders First Banquet.
In 2018, the Fairhaven management team established the program, organizers say, as a “tribute to the heroes who dedicate their lives to careers in law enforcement, embodying the courage, selflessness, and commitment required to serve and protect our communities.”
Each year, four officers from the previous calendar year (one from each quarter) are nominated by their supervisors and the winners are selected by command staff.
This year’s winners honored for their work in 2024 are Officers Tatiana Raygoza, Travis Booth, Lorenzo Sanchez and Darren Bland.
Santa Ana police officers being honored with the Fairhaven Memorial Park Responders First Award are, holding plaque from left, Darren Bland, Tatiana Raygoza, Lorenzo Sanchez and Travis Booth. Command Staff, outside from left, Deputy Chief Julian Rodriguez, Commander Frank Gutierrez, Commander Maria Lopez and Deputy Chief Roland Andrade.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The winning officers were invited to attend the banquet with family and friends, where they received plaques and Certificates of Recognition from District 34 State Senator Tom Umberg, who was in attendance, and Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. In addition, $100 donations were made to local charities chosen by the officers. Also in attendance were representatives from the Santa Ana Police Department.
In recent years, Chief Robert Rodriguez has said winners of Responders First “embody (the Santa Ana Police Department’s) values and vision.”
Stephanie Alvarez, General Manager for Fairhaven, said the mortuary launched the awards to honor those who chose, “a profession where they put their lives on the line every day.”
This year, the celebration was moved from fall to spring so it would be closer to the previous year from which the awards are nominated.
Santa Ana police officers being honored with the Fairhaven Memorial Park Responders First Award are, holding plaque from left, Darren Bland, Tatiana Raygoza, Lorenzo Sanchez and Travis Booth. Command Staff, outside from left, Deputy Chief Julian Rodriguez, Commander Frank Gutierrez, Commander Maria Lopez and Deputy Chief Roland Andrade.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OFFICER TATIANA RAYGOZA
Raygoza was recognized for the first quarter of 2024 for outstanding work ethic, high quality work product, and dedication.
According to her nomination, “Officer Raygoza conducted excellent proactive and investigative work during this period while handling a high volume of calls for service.”
“In one particular week, she made two vehicle theft arrests within three days and was praised for her attention to detail, observation skills, and proactive enforcement.”
Santa Ana Police Officer Tatiana Raygoza is honored with the Fairhaven Memorial Park Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park. Honoring her, from left, are State Senator Tom Umberg, Fairhaven General Manager Stephanie Alvarez, (Officer Raygoza), and Fairhaven Location Manager Sonya Gonzalez.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
She demonstrated diligent and effective investigative work related to violent gang crimes occurring within the Southwest district which were used “to facilitate the investigations and diligence in locating the suspects involved.”
A donation in Raygoza’s name was made to the Santa Ana Police Officer Association Widow and Orphans Fund.
OFFICER TRAVIS BOOTH
According to his nomination, Booth “consistently demonstrates his commitment to the Santa Ana Police Department, but more importantly, to the community he serves.”
During the second quarter of 2024 while on patrol, he assisted on a shots fired call that turned into a car pursuit. Thanks to his composure and communication, according to his nomination, officers were able to safely apprehend all three suspects.
Booth is also a practitioner of Community Policing, “building rapport with stakeholders and community members who reside and do business in his assigned district,” by being humble and ready to assist, according to his nomination. He is also known for his positive attitude and willingness to help.
A donation to the Children of Fallen Police Officers Foundation was made in his name.
Booth also earned recognition in 2023 when he helped save the life of a victim of a gang shooting during a tense situation in the midst of a group of angry gang members.
Santa Ana Police Officer Tatiana Raygoza is honored with the Fairhaven Memorial Park Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park. Honoring the officer, from left, are State Senator Tom Umberg, Fairhaven General Manager Stephanie Alvarez, (Officer Raygoza), and Sales Manager Ana Enriquez.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OFFICER LORENZO SANCHEZ
Sanchez may have been the man of the hour for his family, but his daughter stole the show, cheering loudly for her dad, along with all the recipients.
Sanchez, a patrol officer, is making a name for himself in the Field Operations Bureau. According to his nomination he is relentless and “exhausts all investigative leads when handling every call for service.”
He is also noted for being “mindful of the different tempos of patrol and does not compromise calls for service or his peers when performing his daily tasks. This means, according to his nomination, “he is quick to jump in and provide support during critical incidents, while consistently updating and communicating.”
Santa Ana Police Officer Lorenzo Sanchez is honored with the Fairhaven Memorial Park Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park. Honoring him, from left, are State Senator Tom Umberg, Fairhaven General Manager Stephanie Alvarez, (Officer Sanchez), and Fairhaven Location Manager Sonya Gonzalez.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“Officer Sanchez’s proactive approach to problem-solving, coupled with his commitment to fostering positive relationships, underscores his significant impact on our department,” and sets a high standard for his peers.
His charity is OC GRIP, Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership.
OFFICER DARREN BLAND
Because of his ability to lead and the pride he takes in his investigations, Bland has been selected as case agent, or lead, on numerous incidents that have resulted in quality arrests and convictions, according to his nomination.
“Officer Bland displays a commitment to being a true team player and showcasing his excellent observation skills,” the nomination stated.
Bland was also praised for being a student of policing as he “continuously seeks the opportunity to increase his knowledge, training, and experience.”
Santa Ana Police Officer Darren Bland is honored with the Fairhaven Memorial Park Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park. Honoring him, from left, are State Senator Tom Umberg, Fairhaven General Manager Stephanie Alvarez, (Officer Bland), and Fairhaven Cemetery Manager Jeff Medeiros.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
During the last quarter of 2024, he attended the Orange County Gang Investigators Association Gang Conference on his own expense and time. He was selected to be a member of the Santa Ana Police Department SWAT Team.
In 2023, he received department recognition as part of a team that entered a burning and smoke-choked room to search for victims and rescue a man who had barricaded himself inside. A donation to Help Your Child Live Better with Juvenile Arthritis was made in his name.
Santa Ana police officers being honored with the Fairhaven Memorial Park Responders First Award are, holding plaque from left, Darren Bland, Tatiana Raygoza, Lorenzo Sanchez and Travis Booth. With them are Fairhaven representatives, left and right side, from left, Location Manager Sonya Gonzalez, left, General Manager Stephanie Alvarez, Cemetery Manager Jeff Medeiros, Sales Manager Ana Enriquez, and Market Manager Michael Roudebush.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
State Senator Tom Umberg, center, with Santa Ana police officers being honored with the Fairhaven Memorial Park Responders First Award, from left, Darren Bland, Tatiana Raygoza, Senator Umberg, Lorenzo Sanchez and Travis Booth.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
