Four individuals were honored last week at the 31st Annual Los Alamitos Police Appreciation Awards Luncheon at the Eagles Nest restaurant in Cypress.
Four individuals were honored last week at the 31st Annual Los Alamitos Police Appreciation Awards Luncheon at the Eagles Nest restaurant in Cypress.
Corporal Chris Anderson was given the Medal of Courage Award for saving a man who was being swept down river during a storm last year. Kendra Gora was honored as the Officer of the year, Catherine Howard was the Employee of the Year and community member Joseph Pena was awarded the Policing Through Partnership Award for his reporting of suspicious activity that led to the arrest of two felons.
The ceremony was sponsored by various local businesses and U.S. Marshal David Singer was the keynote speaker for the event. Singer spoke of very real possibility that any day can turn into a life or death situation for any officer.
“What these officers do everyday we cannot put into simple words,” Singer said.
Anderson was the final honoree to be recognized. He was chosen for his acts on April 13, 2012, when he heard a radio call from Cypress Police about a man being swept down the flood control channel near Knott Avenue during heavy rains.
Anderson responded to the channel at Warland Drive near Katella Avenue where he met the man as he was struggling to hang on to the edge. Anderson entered the water to secure the man, and eventually other officers arrived to help pull both men from the water.
Anderson accepted the award, thanking his fellow officers for their support and noting that at any time, any one of them can find themselves in a similar situation.
“I just hope that God keeps us safe and you safe when it’s your turn to make that decision,” Anderson said.
Kendra Gora was recognized as the Officer of the Year. She started her career with the Los Alamitos Police Department in 2009 and was noted as a tenacious investigator. She aspires to work special assignments within the department and make a greater impact on the community she serves.
The Police Employee of the Year was Catherine Howard. Howard serves as the department secretary and also assists the chief of police, as well as the captain and other managers. She has also taken up coordinating the city’s crossing guard program and has served as the city employees Association as president, vice president and treasurer.
The Policing through Partnership Award was given to Joseph Pena. Pena was awakened by his security alarm system at 3:48 a.m. on June 20, 2012. Pena observed some suspicious activity in the tenant parking area of his complex. He observed three individuals who appeared to be attempting to burglarize cars.
His reporting and descriptions led to the arrest of the three individuals and their eventual conviction for various felonies.
While the event focused on four local individuals, Singer noted that they are part of a group of people who respond to crisis and put their own safety at risk to help others. Like firefighters and emergency responders, police have to put themselves at risk to do their jobs.
“They are the people who run towards the danger,” Singer said.