Behind the Badge
Four Santa Ana Police Department officers were awarded special recognition on March 19 by Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary for their valiant efforts serving the community in 2025.
During a small banquet dinner held on the Santa Ana cemetery grounds, Officers Steven Gonzales, Jose Uriarte, Mark Rocheford, and Eliezer “Eli” Vera received Responders First Awards, as well as certificates of recognition from Congressman Lou Correa and County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento. They were accompanied by their families and colleagues.
Fairhaven Cemetery Manager Jeff Medeiros during the Responders First Banquet at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary honoring officers of the Santa Ana Police Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Gonzales started his law enforcement career at 17 years old in the Explorer program before becoming a part-time corrections officer. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and policy from Chapman University before joining Santa Ana Police Department in 2022. Gonzales was credited with being a “go-getter” among his peers while demonstrating a keen attention to detail, thoroughness in his investigations, and an unwavering focus on quality-of-life issues.
Uriarte was noted for his gang suppression activity, as well as enforcement of firearms and narcotics violations in the Northeast District. He was also credited for his quality work, teamwork and positive working relationships.
Santa Ana Police Officer Steven Gonzalez accepts the Responders First Award and Certificate of Recognition from OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (not in photo) from Stephanie Alvarez, left, and Jeff Medeiros, right, of Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary during the Responders First Banquet honoring officers of the Santa Ana Police Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Rocheford, a SWAT team member of Watch 2, was described as a well-rounded policeman with excellent investigations abilities. He is one of two department drug recognition experts and often uses his expertise to serve the community and mentor young officers.
Vera was lauded for being proactive in his patrol area, where he focuses on narcotics interdiction, gang intervention and firearms enforcement. Notably, at problem locations along the East First Street Corridor, in 2025 he recovered more than 211 grams of methamphetamine from a single investigation at a motel. He also made multiple arrests on the same repeat drug dealer within 12 days, seizing cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and more than $1,000 in drug proceeds. He also received two division level commendations.
Santa Ana Police Officer Steven Gonzalez accepts the Responders First Award and Certificate of Recognition from OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (not in photo) from Stephanie Alvarez, left, and Jeff Medeiros, right, of Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary during the Responders First Banquet honoring officers of the Santa Ana Police Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary has been honoring local police personnel with Responders First Awards since 2018. Recipients were nominated by their police colleagues for their service in each quarter of the prior year.
“The words ‘thank you’ hardly felt like enough to express our gratitude,” said Stephanie Alvarez, Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary’s general manager. “Each of these officers represents the professionalism and commitment that helps keep our community safe. This evening gives us the chance to recognize those who have chosen a professional built on service and sacrifice.”
Santa Ana Police Officer Jose Uriarte accepts the Responders First Award and Certificate of Recognition from OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (not in photo) from Jeff Medeiros, left, and Stephanie Alvarez, right, of Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary during the Responders First Banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Deputy Chief Roland Andrade noted that Santa Ana police handle, on average, 110,000 calls for service per year, amounting to 2,000 calls a week.
“These four officers were able to lead and be productive in that environment,” Andrade explained. “What does that mean? That means solving problems for the community, solving problems for anybody in this environment that needs police.”
Santa Ana Police Officer Jose Uriarte accepts the Responders First Award and Certificate of Recognition from OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (not in photo) from Jeff Medeiros, left, and Stephanie Alvarez, right, of Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Jose Uriarte with his Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Jose Uriarte with his Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Eliezer Vera with his Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Eliezer Vera with his Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Mark Rocheford with his Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Mark Rocheford with his Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Steven Gonzalez with his Responders First Award at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officers Steven Gonzalez, center left, Jose Uriarte, Mark Rocheford, and Eliezer Vera with their Responders First Award as they are joined by fellow officers including Deputy Chief Roland Andrade and Commander J. Garcia, as well as Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary General Manager Stephanie Alvarez and Cemetery Manager Jeff Medeiros.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officers Steven Gonzalez, center left, Jose Uriarte, Mark Rocheford, and Eliezer Vera with their Responders First Award as they are joined by fellow officers including Deputy Chief Roland Andrade and Commander J. Garcia at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Carlos Valenzuela, center, with Santa Ana police officers, from left, Steven Gonzalez, Jose Uriarte, Mark Rocheford, and Eliezer Vera during the Responders First Banquet at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana police officers, from left, Steven Gonzalez, Jose Uriarte, Mark Rocheford, and Eliezer Vera during the Responders First Banquet at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Eliezer Vera accepts the Responders First Award and Certificate of Recognition from OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (not in photo) from Jeff Medeiros, left, and Stephanie Alvarez, right, of Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary during the Responders First Banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Eliezer Vera walks past his family as he gets up to accept the Responders First Award during the Responders First Banquet at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary Cemetery Manager Jeff Medeiros during the Responders First Banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Mark Rocheford accepts the Responders First Award and Certificate of Recognition from OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (not in photo) from Jeff Medeiros, left, and Stephanie Alvarez, right, of Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary during the Responders First Banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Officer Mark Rocheford accepts the Responders First Award and Certificate of Recognition from OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento (not in photo) from Jeff Medeiros, left, and Stephanie Alvarez, right, of Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
