Colton Police Recognizes Outstanding Employees

Last weekend the Colton Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Henry Dominguez, took a well-deserved pause from their daily duties to recognize a few select individuals for their outstanding service to the Department, and to the City of Colton. Dozens of families, friends, supporters, and city staff members attended the annual event which was held at the Colton First Assembly of God Church. After the ceremony, a reception was held in the Fellowship Hall. The men and women who were recognized are not only “hometown heroes” for protecting our streets, neighborhoods, and facilities, but they are also citizens, residents, spouses, parents, and even sons and daughters of our older population. They have a difficult job and put their lives, and well-being on the line each and every day. Their goal is “to serve and to protect,” says Chief Dominguez, who along with Lt Raymond Mendez, did not hesitate to mention specific accomplishments and heroic actions taken by these individuals. In addition to the annual awards listed below, Bud and Dot Smith were recognized for 29 years of Citizen Volunteer service to the Colon Police Department, and Meritorious Service Awards were presented to retired Communications supervisor Misty Morehouse and retired Senior Dispatcher Cheryl Evans. Two special commendations were made by Chief Hank Dominguez to Cpl Mike Sandoval and Ofc Samuel Garcia for actions taken while talking to a suicidal subject and safely removing him from a freeway bridge. The event was well-attended and included an opening welcome by Chief Dominguez, an Invocation by Chaplain Pete Tasaka, the Pledge of Allegiance by Lieutenant Ray Mendez, and the swearing-in of three new officers, Felipe Leyva, Jesus Moreno, and Thomas Enriquez. The award presentations were announced by Lieutenant Ray Mendez, and presented by Chief Dominguez and Captain Heusterberg. The award recipients were: CSO Jesse Molina; Professional Staff Employee of the Year For exemplary service as a Community Service Officer assigned to the Patrol Division of the Colton Police Department, Jesse Molina has been selected as Non-Sworn Employee of the Year for 2022. Jesse goes above and beyond in his assigned work as a Community Service Officer, doing so with a cheerful attitude. Jesse is an exemplary team player. His dedication and positive attitude bring credit to himself and the Colton Police Department. Communications Supervisor Nicole Reynolds; Dispatcher of the Year For outstanding job performance as a Dispatcher for the Colton Police Department, Communications Supervisor Nicole Reynolds has been selected as Dispatcher of the Year for 2022. Over the past year, Nicole has been instrumental in the efficient operation of the Dispatch Center. Her expertise and dedication have earned her a promotion from Senior Dispatcher to Communications Supervisor. Her commitment as a dispatcher brings great credit to herself, and the Colton Police Department. Officer Daniel Muro; Officer of the Year For outstanding service as a Police Officer assigned to the Patrol Division of the Colton Police Department, Police Officer Daniel Muro has been selected as Officer of the Year for 2022. During the year, Officer Muro was assigned as an ID Officer for Platoons One and Two. Throughout the year, Officer Muro made 54 arrests and completed 275 reports. Due to low staffing within the Dispatch Center, Officer Muro filled in on numerous occasions as a call taker in the center. Officer Muro’s dedication and hard work bring great credit to himself, and the Colton Police Department. Sergio Ojeda; Volunteer of the Year The Colton Police Department has an amazing group of Citizen Volunteers who have chosen to dedicate their free time to make the City of Colton and their community a safer, better place to live and work. Their service to the community and the Colton Police Department is admirable and deserving of recognition. Throughout 2022, Sergio has volunteered his time and effort to our organization, and the community. Sergio can be relied upon to assist with community events, proactive enforcement, critical incidents, and welfare checks; freeing patrol officers to respond to emergency calls. Therefore, the Colton Police Department is proud to present Sergio Ojeda as the Citizen Volunteer of this Year for 2022. Officer Edgar Perez; Life Saving Award The Colton Police Department is honored to award Officer Perez the Life Saving Medal for the following: First, on June 1, 2022, Officer Perez responded to 7-Eleven on Mt Vernon regarding a male subject who was bleeding from a self-inflicted knife wound to his arm. Upon arrival, Officer Perez observed the victim's injuries and determined the victim had severed a major artery in his arm. Without hesitation, Officer Perez rendered lifesaving aid with a tourniquet, effectively stabilizing the victim until medical help could arrive. Second, on August 8, 2022, Officer Perez responded to a call from Ellen Circle regarding a 96-year-old female choking on a piece of food. Upon arrival, Officer Perez located the distressed elderly woman and noticed she was unable to breathe, speak, or swallow. Officer Perez immediately began lifesaving efforts by providing the Heimlich maneuver, which dislodged the food from the woman’s airway. The actions of Officer Perez saved the lives of both of these individuals, thus bringing credit to the Colton Police Department and to the police service. Officer Samuel Garcia; MADD Award Awards to an officer who has made a difference in the last year by going above and beyond in the areas of education, prevention, policy, and/or enforcement, and whose efforts are making an impact in reducing alcohol-related death and injury. Bud and Dot Smith; Lifetime Service Award Bud and Dot Smith are valued members of the Colton Police Department as Citizen Volunteers since the early 1990s, serving the City of Colton for 29 years. They have participated in numerous community events such as parades and special events, as well as assisted patrol officers with crime scene security and crime prevention by patrolling throughout the city in a marked citizen volunteer unit. Meritorious Service Awards  Communications Supervisor, Misty Morehouse. Misty has served the City of Colton for nearly 35 years, starting on May 2, 1998, when she was hired as a police dispatcher. In this capacity, she worked as a 911 call taker, dispatcher, and communications training officer and was later promoted to dispatch supervisor. She was instrumental in the implementation of the CAD/RMS systems and became the first social media administrator for the department.   Senior Dispatcher, Cheryl Evans. Cheryl served the City of Colton for 26 years starting on October 17, 1996, when she was hired as a police dispatcher. In this capacity, she worked as a 911 taker, dispatcher, and communications training officer and was later promoted to senior dispatcher. Cheryl has answered thousands of 911 calls and has been the primary dispatcher during hundreds of critical incidents. Chief’s Commendation Cpl Mike Sandoval and Ofc Samuel Garcia. On January 26, a distraught male adult climbed over a safety fence on the Pepper Ave/I-10 overpass. The subject made threats to jump off the bridge and onto the freeway. Officer Garcia responded first by talking with the individual and developing a dialog. Detective Sandoval continued the negotiations until the situation de-escalated. The efforts of both Ofc Garcia and Det Sandoval were effective in persuading the male subject to climb down from the overpass, where he was detained, and taken to a nearby treatment center. The actions of Officer Garcia and Det Sandoval prevented a human being from committing suicide that day, bringing credit to the Colton Police Department and to the police service. GTA Awards - Grand Theft Auto  Ofc Klevis Buzi and Ofc Alyssa Jacobson. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) developed the 10851 awards program to recognize the superior efforts made by allied law enforcement personnel would have met specific criteria toward the reduction of stolen vehicle crimes. This award was given for the recovery of nine unoccupied stolen vehicles and three occupied stolen vehicles. We are certainly proud to recognize all of our employees in the Police Department and we would like to congratulate the members who were presented with these special awards. We sure have great employees who do a great job and care about our city. 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