Old Ranch Country Club will host a luncheon honoring the work of the public safety officials who serve Seal Beach. Fire fighters, lifeguards and police officers will be honored for their efforts in their respective fields. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2013 11:30-1:30 PM. It will be held at the Old Ranch Country Club, 3901 Lampson Ave., Seal Beach.
Cpl. Michael Henderson of the Seal Beach Police Department will receive the Officer of the Year award for his outstanding work over the last year. Lead Community Services Officer Michael McDonald will be recognized as the Professional Employee of the Year.
Detective Sgt. Joe Miller and Officer Joe Garcia will receive the Seal Beach Police Medal of Courage, the department’s second highest honor. Many of the officers who responded to the Salon Meritage shootings will receive the department’s Medal of Merit.
In addition to those awards, several lifesaving awards will be given to police officers who were able to extend the lives of people in the community who summoned the police while they were in the gravest condition.
The Seal Beach Police Department also oversees a robust community volunteer program. Karl Myers will be honored as the Volunteer of the Year for his contribution to the Volunteers in Policing Program. Mike Maronta, a volunteer with the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services, Rick Shab (RACES), and Shelley Drisko a member of the Community Emergency Response Team will all receive special recognition from Chief of Police Joe Stilinovich.
Seal Beach Lifeguards Vincent Fiamengo, Darren Sandvig and Steven Tennett will be honored as Tower Lifeguard of the Year, Unit Lifeguard of the Year, and Junior Guard of the Year respectively.
Chief Stilinovich will award a special “Chief’s Commendation” to paramedics Scott Belshe, Austin Brawner, and Jake Gilbert of the Orange County Fire Authority. OCFA Engineer Ed Hooper (Ret.) and Captain Alan Ladd will also be commended for their work on the day of the Salon Meritage shooting.
The master of ceremonies for the event is talk radio personality and former Seal Beach resident Tim Conway Jr. Mr. Conway hosts a radio show on KFI 640 AM weeknights from 7-10 p.m.
The cost is $40 to attend the luncheon, and there is a choice of entrees. Seating is limited. To RSVP, call Amanda Webber at (562) 799-4100, extension 1129, or e-mail her at awebber@sealbeachca.gov.
