Hi Seal Beach,
Last week, the Seal Beach Police League hosted the annual Seal Beach Public Safety Awards Breakfast which brought together the community to recognize outstanding service among local first responders and volunteers. Winners and honorees from the Seal Beach Police Department, Seal Beach Marine Safety, West-Comm 9-1-1 Dispatch, Orange County Fire Authority, and volunteers from VIPS, RACES, and CERT were celebrated for their exceptional dedication to our town. This annual event aims to honor those who work tirelessly to safeguard our city, providing them with well-deserved recognition while fostering a spirit of unity.
Below is the list of award recipients:
• Officer James Dowdell – ATAC Officer of the Year (for recovering the most stolen vehicles in Seal Beach in one calendar year)
• Records Supervisor Dan Fortney – Division Commendation
• Seal Beach Police Traffic Bureau (Sergeant Mirakian, Motor Officer Cory Montgomery, Motor • Officer Ed Pastor, Motor Officer Hector Mercado, Officer James Dowdell) – Division Commendation
• Seal Beach Police Detective Bureau (Detective Sergeant Jeff Gibson, Detective Ryan Bedard, Detective Garrett Kiehl, Detective Jacob Otto, Detective Jon Ainley, Detective Shawn Watkins, Civilian Investigator Aine Eisenhauer) – Division Commendation
• Canine Officer Victor Ruiz and Police Service Dog Saurus – Division Commendation
• Police Chaplain Donald Shoemaker – Chief’s Commendation. (Editor’s note: Pastor Shoemaker has retired. See story, page 7.)
• Community Member Renee Daughetee – Chief’s Commendation
• Community Member Dennis Gutierrez – Chief’s Commendation
• Community Member Cynthia Villa – Chief’s Commendation
• Officer Jacob Fillers – Lifesaving Medal
• Corporal Bruno Balderrama – Lifesaving Medal
• Detective Jacob Otto – Lifesaving Medal
• Sergeant Jordan Mirakian – Lifesaving Medal
• Officer Shaheen Shaheen – Lifesaving Medal
• Orange County Fire Authority Firefighter Blake Campbell – Battalion 1 Firefighter of the Yea
• Seal Beach Marine Safety Lifeguard Dylan Demos – Tower Guard of the Year
• Seal Beach Marine Safety Lifeguard Jacob Hart – Unit Guard of the Year
• Seal Beach Marine Safety Lifeguard Brandon Smith – Junior Guard Instructor of the Year
• West-Comm Dispatcher Micki Hill – Dispatcher of the Year
• CERT Volunteer Anna Bilyk – CERT Volunteer of the Year
• RACES Member Gary Frantz – RACES Volunteer of the Year
• VIP Volunteer Anne Crosby – VIP Volunteer of the Year
• Police Explorer Oliver Schulz – Explorer of the Year
• Police Senior Community Services Officer Kevin Castellanos – Professional Staff Member of the Year
• Detective Jacob Otto – Officer of the Year
• Detective Sergeant Jeff Gibson – Supervisor of the Year
• Officer Arion Knight – Medal of Courage
• Corporal Bruno Balderrama – Medal of Courage
Congratulations to all the awardees! Keep your questions coming Seal Beach! Email us at askacop@sealbeachca.gov today.
