Redlands Police Volunteers Honor Two of Their Own

Citizen Volunteer Patrol members Ron O’Neil and Eric Aguilar were recently awarded volunteer of the year awards from the Redlands Police Department’s Volunteer Unit. The volunteers are selected by their supervising staff based on outstanding work and contributions to the community. O’Neil is currently an active and valued member of the Redlands Police Department Citizen Volunteer Patrol Ranger Unit. O’Neil attended the 25th Citizen Volunteer Academy in April 2010. In addition to the Police Department, O’Neil has volunteered in the Redlands community for more than 30 years in various organizations, including the Redlands Community Hospital. Characterized by his humility and willingness to help, O’Neil is held in high regard by his peers and friends. Mention O’Neil's name and you will hear his colleagues and supervisors speak of his calm, quiet, giving and pleasant demeanor. “He’s the guy who will bend over backwards to help you if you need it,” stated attendee Vic Ramos. O’Neil is currently operating as the volunteer quartermaster in addition to his other commitments in the volunteer unit. Most recently, O’Neil helped to organize the volunteer veteran’s float in the recent Veteran’s Day Parade. O’Neil’s “go get It” attitude has not only gained the respect of his peers but the admiration of his department, police officials said. Aguilar attended the volunteer academy in November 2010. Aguilar is an active member of the Redlands Police Citizen Volunteer Patrol. He also volunteered at the Redlands Community Center Recreation Center from 2008 to 2010. He is a student in Street Smart, where he is a master red belt and preparing to test for his provisional black belt. Aguilar is currently attending school at San Bernardino Valley College with a major in criminal justice. Aguilar’s excitement in helping and willingness to work regardless of challenges, speaks volumes to those who meet him, police officials said. Aguilar was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age but has never allowed that to stop him or be an excuse not to attain his goals. Despite being told it would be medically impossible for him ride a bicycle, Aguilar would not allow fate to set his destiny. “With the help of God, I not only learned to ride the bike, I participate in martial arts, volunteer with various charity events and continue to allow my ‘story’ to motivate others,” says Aguilar. While a member of the Redlands Police Volunteer Unit, Aguilar has participated in numerous Shop-With- A-Cop events, Chili’s “Tip-A-Cop fundraisers, volunteer patrols, parade traffic control, Christmas block parties and the Special Olympics torch run, where he carried the torch for the Redlands Police Department. “It is not who I am underneath but what I do that defines me,” says Aguilar. Like many of the other volunteers, Aguilar exemplifies the very heart of volunteerism and giving that has become a staple of the Redlands Police Department, police officials said. The Redlands Police Department currently has more volunteers than paid employees. The service of the volunteer unit not only saves millions of dollars in paid man-hours, but enhances the quality of life for the community and citizens.