by on 2013-12-23

Employees and volunteers of the Redlands Police Department were honored in a ceremony in December and the department also welcomed new members. The department recognized its Reserve Officer of the Year, Officer of the Year and Civilian Employee of the Year, among others, and distributed the Lifesaving Award to seven individuals. Reserve Police Officer of the Year, Paul Smith Smith has donated over 500 hours as a reserve police officer in 2013 and has consistently gone over the 20 hours per month/240 hours per year requirement, averaging 500 hours per year; not including hundreds of hours contributed to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy training other reserves. Smith regularly supplements short-staffed patrol teams and volunteers to work many special events such as the Redlands Bicycle Classic, Christmas Parade, Run through Redlands, DUI checkpoints and many more. On June 28, Smith volunteered for a call of a 911 hang up from a residence in the 200 block of Carver Circle in Plymouth Village. The original 911 call indicated nothing was heard and upon callback, the answering machine picked up. Smith arrived, looked in the window and saw the resident, a 93-year-old female, on the ground covered in blood. He called for medical aid, forced entry through the locked front door and began providing temporary medical aid until the fire department arrived. The victim was found to have a deep laceration on her arm. Due to blood loss, the victim was unable to complete the 911 call She has since made a full recovery and is doing well. William C. Brummigan Award: Police dispatcher Annette DeWoody The William C. Brummigan award is bestowed upon a civilian staff member who has demonstrated the ability to consistently go above and beyond the already high expectations of the Redlands Police Department in the performance of his or her job duties. DeWoody started working for Redlands Police Department as a dispatcher in 2001. She takes it upon herself to sit down with department members from all divisions and teach them tips and shortcuts on the department’s Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management systems, skill sets that will assist them throughout their career. DeWoody now oversees the Department’s CAD and RMS system, a time consuming, technical and complicated task. Jose A. Rivera Police Officer of the Year Award: Esteban Valenzuela The Jose A. Rivera Police Officer of the Year award is named for the first constable in the city of Redlands. Rivera was best known for treating everyone with dignity and respect. In fact, many of those he arrested during his career happily voted for him in the next election. His dedication to accomplishing a difficult job while maintaining the utmost respect for those he served is still the standard at the Redlands Police Department and the reason that the Officer of the Year Award is given in his name. Valenzuela has been with the Redlands Police Department for more than eight years, joining the force soon after graduating from the University of Redlands. He started out on patrol and has served as a Multiple Enforcement Team officer and a field training officer. As a patrol corporal, he has been instrumental in developing, mentoring, and motivating officers on his team. He has helped his patrol team become the most proactive patrol team on the streets today. On one occasion, his patrol team made 19 proactive arrests in one shift while still handling calls for service. He routinely monitors crime trends and hot spots of criminal activity and uses his skills and experience to develop appropriate responses. He then quickly deploys his patrol team to address the issue, which routinely results in arrests and successful resolutions. All honorees were presented certificates of recognition from the office of Assemblyman Mike Morrell. Recipients of the Lifesaving Award are Police Officer Eric Pendery; Redlands Fire Department Capt. David Denman; Engineer Jesse Brookens; firefighter/paramedics Richard Hurtado, Mark MacDonald and Christopher Harrison; and Ryan Mote, a private citizen. On Oct. 14, Pendery was dispatched to a traffic collision on Judson Street and Brockton Avenue. Upon arrival, Pendery found the elderly female driver unresponsive with no pulse. Mote then approached Pendery and offered assistance. Mote helped Pendery remove the driver from the car. Pendery attached an automatic defibrillator to the driver, which delivered an electric shock. Mote then began to administer CPR. Shortly thereafter, the Redlands Fire Department arrived on scene and continued lifesaving efforts. The driver was later found to have been suffering a heart attack, which caused the traffic collision. The driver survived her heart attack due to the collaborative lifesaving efforts of Pendery, Mote and Redlands Fire Department. Be sure to read the Redlands City News in coming editions to read more about individuals and businesses honored by the RPD at the Dec. 10 ceremony. Find us online at www.citynewsgroup.com > Redlands.