Santa Barbara Police Department Honors Community Heroes

On Wednesday, January 28, the Santa Barbara Police Department held its Employee Recognition and Reserve Officer Banquet at the Cabrillo Arts Center. The annual event recognizes the outstanding performance of sworn and non-sworn personnel as well as reserve officers within the community. This year, Chief Camerino Sanchez awarded the Chief’s Meritorious Service Award to officers who had been activated and deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Sanchez himself received the Patriotic Employer Award from the National Committee for Employer Support. This honor is reserved for individuals who provide outstanding cooperation and support for employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve.

Officers noted this year as having been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan included Officer Kevin Rhyne, major, United States Air Force Reserve; Officer Matthew Tonello, staff sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; Officer Michael Lazarus, staff sergeant, U.S. Army Reserve; and Officer Justin Cruz, sergeant, Army National Guard, currently serving in Iraq.

Among others honored at this year’s event were the following:

Reserve Officer Howard Giles, who took home the Lt. R.E. Bond Award for the most volunteered hours, 466.

Reserve Officer Colman Kwong, who received the Top Gun Award for marksmanship.

Officer Rashun Drayton, who was selected to be the Sworn Officer of the Year by the Reserve Officer Corps.

Sergeant David Henderson, named supervisor of the year.

Officer Douglas Klug, named sworn employee of the year.

Nicole Hall, named civilian Employee of the Year.

Pastor Charles Reed, named Citizen of the Year.

Lieutenant Ralph Molina, who was given special recognition for his eight years of service to the Employee Recognition Committee.