For the first time in its history, the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce brought together area military and first responders for its inaugural “Heroes Appreciation Luncheon.”
Each of the major organizations were asked to nominate their own “heroes,” based on general criteria and the winners were honored at a recent luncheon.
Although the Event-News Enterprise published a group photo of the winners, we would now like to give our readers a little more information about each of this year’s “Heroes” and why they were chosen.
We live in a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on military and first responders for security and public safety, so here are the stories of the men and women who are this year’s “heroes.”
At their fundraising gala last month, Chamber officials credited the idea to Board Member Judy Klabouch, who was voted Citizen of the Year.
Note, they are listed in any particular order of relevance.
California Highway Patrol Honoree
Officer Michael LaRocchia
LaRocchia is a seventeen-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol. He graduated the CHP Academy on May 24th, 2002 and was assigned to the Westminster Area office. Michael spent the first years of his career working the graveyard shift where he made over 400 arrests involving impaired drivers on the freeways and unincorporated portions of Orange County. Michael became a Field Training Officer (FTO) in 2005 and has trained numerous officers ever since.
Michael is proud of his contribution in the Field Training Evaluation Program (FTEP) and takes pride in the success of this trainees. In February of 2011 Michael was assigned to the CHP’s Inland Division as a Background Investigator. Michael took great pride in his investigations of all applicants, to ensure they each met the high standard expected of each member of the CHP. In April of 2013, Michael returned to the Westminster Area as a field officer.
In August 2012, Michael accomplished one of his most proud achievements by graduating the CHP’s rigorous two-week Motorcycle Training Program at the CHP Academy and became a CHP Motor Officer. Shortly thereafter Michael became a Peer in the department’s Peer Support Program which he continues to this day.
Continuing his desire to help fellow officers. Michael’s responsibilities included patrol and enforcement of traffic violations within the Westminster area’s unincorporated roadways which largely included the community of Rossmoor.
Michael met daily and spoke with residents of Rossmoor to discuss their needs and requests for traffic enforcement to maintain the highest level of safety within the community. Michael’s hard work and dedication to the California Highway Patrol is always apparent in his impeccable uniform and motorcycle appearance.
Michael is an asset to the Westminster Area, the local community and the California Highway Patrol. Michael has been married to the love of his life, Krista, since October 2007. Although they do not have children, they are parents to four beloved rescue cats.
JFTB 40th Infantry Division Honoree
Sergeant Ashley Q. Solis
With ten years of service to the 40th Infantry Division, this Mission Hills, CA native has continued to excel.
Her military training includes; ACTF Level I certified, Advanced Leaders Course, Security +
Standardized COMSEC Custodian Course, Warriors Leaders Course, Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance System-Combines course, 25B Information Technology Specialist (Advance Individual Training), and Combat Life Saver Course.
Ashley has achieved significant experience, including her current role as administrative Sergeant and her prior experiences as G3 Administrative Sergeant, SIPR Administrator and Administrative Assistant and COMSEC Clerk.
Sgt. Solis has also served as an Inventory Control Specialist and a Remedial Instructor.
During her career, Ashley has received numerous decorations and awards, including, but not limited to the Army Achievement Medal (4th Medal), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Over Seas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
JFTB 79th Theater Sustainment Command
Staff Sergeant Rheana Martinez
Staff Sergeant Rheana Martinez has served in the United States Army Reserve for 9 years. She deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in November 2010 to conduct Air Operations where she managed flights, emergency medical pick up, and directed aircrafts.
Stepping up to the challenge and building her knowledge and experience, she transferred to Bagram Airfield on July 2011 where she was responsible for conducting ground operations at an entry control point (ECP). SSG Martinez directed and coordinated more than 100,000 cargo trucks carrying all classes of supply and processed more than 35,000 transportation movement requests.
In July 2012, SSG Martinez was assigned to the 7th Warrior Training Brigade in Grafenwohr, Germany. While assigned to the 7th Warrior Training Brigade, SSG Martinez changed her Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and transitioned into a 42A, Human Resource Specialist, where she graduated as the Distinguished Honor Graduate.
In May 2015, SSG Martinez relocated to Southern California, and was assigned to the 304th Movement Control Team located in Riverside, CA.
She was assigned as a team leader for 5 Soldiers in her section. Due to her high performance and in recognition of her abilities, she became the squad leader for 8 Soldiers till August 2018.
In September 2018, SSG Martinez transferred to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command’s (TSC) G3 section as a Mobilization Readiness NCO. SSG Martinez is responsible for reviewing and correcting almost a third of our subordinate units’ monthly readiness reports.
In June 2019, the 79th TSC submitted 210 USR reports to USARC with zero discrepancies making the 79th TSC the only Operational and Functional (O&F) Command in the Army Reserve Command’s history to accomplish this feat.
SSG Martinez military schools include: Basic Leadership Course, 88N Transportation Management Course, 42A Human Resource Course, and the Advanced Leadership Course.
SSG Martinez decorations and badges include: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, NATO Medal (Non-Article 5), Overseas Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Bar.
SSG Martinez lives in Los Alamitos, California with her husband Raul. They have been married for 8 years and they have a 1-year old daughter, Selena.
Los Alamitos Police Department Honoree
Captain Chris Karrer
Captain Chris Karrer has served as a law enforcement professional for 19 years. He began his career with the Hemet Police Department and came to the Los Alamitos Police Department in September 2001, where he immediately made a positive impact within the community.
Chris has worked patrol and investigations, both as an officer and supervisor.
Over the years he has held several ancillary assignments, which included being an Explorer Advisor, Field Training Officer, and Serious Traffic Accident Response Team investigator. Chris’ interest in computers was instrumental in the implementation of the Department’s Technology Team, the West Cities Mobile Command Post Team, and the new Records Management software.
Chris is married with three children and he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014, demonstrating the importance of education to his children, no matter what age. Prior to beginning his career as a police officer, Chris served our Country as a United States Marine.
“As the Department Captain, I will continue to expand open communication with those I serve. I have enjoyed my years of service with this amazing city and the citizens who reside and do business here. This is an opportunity for all of us to share community concerns and help each other establish the best methods of providing public safety.”
Capt. Karrer has recently retired from the Los Al Police Department to accept a position as Chief in a nearby California city.
Orange County Fire Authority Honoree
Firefighter Austin Krie
Krie has been with the Orange County Fire Authority since 2015. He has worked as a firefighter, firefighter/paramedic, and a technical rescue truck firefighter.
Krie has been married for 4 years.
“There are many aspects of this profession that are appealing but the best part is the opportunity to serve others,” says Krie. “My favorite quote is from John Wooden, who said, ‘You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who can never repay you.’”
He spent the majority of 2018 as a new paramedic assigned to Engine 64 serving the City of Westminster.
When the local Explorer Post moved from Station 61 to Station 64 Austin made it his mission to improve the program. Thanks to his leadership, the post nearly doubled in size. Additionally, Austin serves as a member to the Care Ambulance personnel assigned to Station 64.
During a recent firefighter recruitment process, Austin organized and conducted firefighter interview preparation for all who asked for help. He also completed the required classes for certification as a rescue technician for our Technical Rescue Trucks.
Austin has educated members of the fire service in cancer prevention and walks the walk. He is changing our fire service culture to protect our firefighters from cancer.
The Orange County Fire Association is very pleased to honor Austin Krie as the 2019 Heroes Appreciation Luncheon Honoree.
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Honoree
Deputy Alicia Quinones
Orange County Sherriff’s Department Deputy Alicia Quinones was the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce 2019 Hero Appreciation Honoree.
Alicia graduated from the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy in October of 2014 and was assigned to the Central Women’s Jail. In 2017 and 2018 she was a member of the Homeless Outreach Team and was involved with the cleanup of the Santa Ana Riverbed and post riverbed outreach efforts.
In 2018, Alicia transferred to North Operations where she was assigned to North Patrol. She has proven to be a proactive, resourceful and dependable Patrol Deputy.
Deputy Quinones has a very calm and professional demeanor. Alicia keeps herself fit, arrives to work early and is prepared to work on a daily basis. Whatever assignment she is tasked with, she completes to the best of her ability and is ready for the next.
Upon arriving at North Patrol, Alicia was assigned to the unincorporated area of Rossmoor. This area is typically one of the more peaceful communities in North County, but Alicia embraced the community getting to know the residents and local merchants. In her first four months, she conducted well over 100 traffic stops, 30 bicycle stops, 40 pedestrian stops and numerous occupied vehicles. These self-initiated stops resulted in 22 traffic citations, 8 H&S citations, 9 warrant arrests and 1 arrest for Transportation of Narcotics for Sales, with the seizure of a large quantity of methamphetamines.
In addition to her self-initiated activity, Alicia handles all of her calls for service with great detail. One the most notable calls she handled was an unknown male walked into a residence in Rossmoor.
The male went inside a bedroom, where a teenage boy was watching movies and disrobed. The teenager left his room and went to the kitchen and told his mother there was a naked man in his room. The now, naked man ran into the kitchen and attempted to choke the boy’s mother with a phone cord.
The boy grabbed a meat cleaver and scared the man out of the house. Deputy Quinones arrived at the house very quickly and was able to put out very pertinent information about the suspect, the vehicle he fled in, the direction in which he was headed and the initial crimes committed.
Once the suspect was apprehended, Deputy Quinones conducted in-field show ups and the suspect was arrested. Deputy Quinones interviewed all parties involved and wrote a very detailed and accurate report. This was a dynamic call and Deputy Quinones handled all aspects of it very well.
Deputy Quinones’ hard work and positive attitude have not gone unnoticed in North Operations. She is very professional, reliable, has a good sense of humor and gets along great with her peers. Alicia needs very little supervision and is able to make good decisions in her course of work.
Alicia was raised with two brothers in the City of Westminster and is engaged to be married to another Orange County Deputy in early 2020. Alicia is a tremendous asset to our Division and well deserving of this recognition.
