Officers Honored for Protecting and Serving

Honoring the men and women who have fulfilled their "fundamental duty to serve mankind" has become something of a tradition in San Bernardino. Now in its 39th year, 12 officers from seven local law enforcement agencies were honored by the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evening, May 21, during their annual law enforcement dinner. To a full house at the Scottish Rite Temple, San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis said, "When our officers and men and women put on that uniform, they do so knowing they've made a choice...to serve our communities. I want to especially thank the Chamber for allowing us to honor them, those that put their lives on the line." Following dinner, the honorees were introduced. The Honorable William Jefferson Powell IV, Superior Court Judge, introduced San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies Patrick Leon, a field training officer and crime trends instructor who has taught violent crimes and building searches at the Sheriff's Academy; Michael Madril, currently targeting gang activity and violent crime in the Highland station's Gang Enforcement team; and Travis Wijnhamer, an advisor for the Explorer program and a Citizens on Patrol coordinator, among other leadership positions. Introducing the honorees from the California Highway Patrol was the Honorable Annemarie Pace, Superior Court Judge. Officers Dave Denton, the Safety Services Program officer and Major Crime Investigator as well as a Terrorism Liason officers with the Joint Regional Intelligence Center in Rancho Cucamonga; Christopher McLeod, a drug recognition expert and a field training officer in the Barstow area; and Colin Quayle, a Riverside native currently stationed in the Morongo Basin who, since his arrival there in 2012, has made 63 arrests and investigated 44 traffic collisions. The Honorable David Mazurek, Superior Court Judge, introduced officer Robert Balderama of the California State University San Bernardino Police Department, an EOC coordinator in the "active shooter" drill and creator of the Community Oriented Policing Program (COP) to curb fraternity/sorority parties off campus. He also introduced Officer Steven Owens of the San Bernardino City Unified School District Police Department, who was recently selected as a field training officer and has been recognized for his work by Cal-ID for playing a pivotal role in identifying several suspects that caused millions of dollars of loss to the school district. Officer Blake Bonnet of the San Bernardino Community College Police Department was recognized for his role in active drug recognition, active shooter training, crisis intervention and gang awareness training. Officer Helen Delair of the CSUSB police department and her K9 Enjuan Von Der Chevron (a.k.a. Chevy) were also honored for their work in creating, implementing and piloting the K9 program on campus. Chevy is an explosive detection K9 who has assisted the university with bomb threats, suspicious packages and area sweeps and helps out surrounding agencies as well. In a highlight of the evening, the Honorable R. Glenn Yabuno, Superior Court Judge, introduced Officer Gabriel Garcia of the San Bernardino City Police Department. Following a roaring standing ovation, Garcia was honored for his sacrifices in the line of duty, eight months - nearly to the day - of a shooting on August 22, 2014 in which he sustained severe injuries. With assistance, Garcia was able to walk to the stage to accept his award. He joined the department in March 2008 and served on the graffiti task force. He has helped target active taggers and tag crews, resulting in a 70 percent reduction in graffiti blight. He also also helped locate stolen vehicles and apprehend the suspects, receiving several CHP 10851 pins. "Gabe receives this award not because he was shot and nearly died while serving the community, but because of the life, hope and inspiration others have been able to draw from him," said Yabuno, "and the way he has galvanized the community at a time when it most needed him." Following the introduction of the honorees, Mayor Davis announced the 2015 officers of the year: Deputy Madril of the County Sheriff's Department, and Officer McLeod of the CHP.