I'd like to welcome the following new members to Region 10:
Sp. Agent Kristine Wilson / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - CID
Det. Lori Reynolds / Fresno P.D.
Lt. Stephanie Shannon / Simi Valley P.D.
I'd also like to thank the following members for renewing their memberships:
Sgt. Penny Kalua / State of Hawaii Sheriff's Office
Officer Mary Hooker / Pasadena P.D.
Captain Alana Forrest / Lost Gatos/Monte Sereno P.D.
The only affiliate in our Region, The Los Angeles Women Police Officers & Affiliates (LAWPOA) have also renewed their affiliate membership.
Congratulations to Region 10 member, Chief Sandra Spagnoli from the Benicia Police Department in California. Sandra has been selected as San Leandro's next Chief of Police and will assume command of the San Leandro Police Department (also in California) on January 10, 2011! Sandra has been Benicia's Police Chief for the past four years, and prior to that, she was with the San Carlos Police Department for 16 years, the last 8 as a Commander. She is also the First Vice President of the California Peace Officers Association (CPOA). Congratulations on your appointment, Chief, and best wishes in this next phase of your law enforcement career!
On looking back through my blogs, I realized that I had failed to post the nomination information of Officer Monica Macdonald from the San Francisco Police Department, who had been nominated for the IAWP Medal of Valor Award in 2010. I had posted the other two Region 10 nominations, but accidentally missed posting Monica's info. Although Monica did not win the Award, just being nominated for one is truly an honor, and I feel it's important to acknowledge the work she had done that got her nominated in the first place. Here is Monica's nomination for the 2010 IAWP Medal of Valor Award:
"On the morning of March 7, 2007, a coldblooded and gruesome murder took place at 785 Brannan Street. Here, Marvin Harris was viciously stabbed numerous times in the face and neck by Rene Robinson. After taking out his rage and fury on Harris, Robinson quickly left to make good his escape, leaving the victim to die in an expanding pool of fresh and congealing blood.
Still armed with two large knives, the enraged suspect encountered two lost citizens in their vehicle around the corner at 7th and Townsend Streets. Robinson, still hyped up from his crazed killing of the victim, attempted to carjack the vehicle. But the individuals in the truck quickly rolled up their windows. Robinson (6 feet tall and 285 pounds) attempted to stab the occupants through the partially open sunroof with the same knives he had just used to kill. Confronted with this horrific event, the occupants were panicked and frozen in justified fear of their lives.
At this time, two aggressive and proactive officers on routine patrol came upon this scene. Not knowing what they were encountering, the two officers (Officer Joseph Salazar and Officer Monica Macdonald) immediately engaged the crazed Robinson. Both officers distinguished themselves by placing their own personal safety in great danger, above and beyond the call of duty, by exiting their vehicle and yelling for the still armed suspect to drop the knives. This action drew the suspect's attention away from the second set of victims and placed his interest squarely now on the two uniformed officers. Instead of dropping the knives, Robinson tried to walk away from the scene. Both officers continued to order Robinson to drop his blood soaked knives.
Robinson then turned and advanced on the two officers with both knives in his hands. Both officers continued to give loud and clear verbal orders to no avail. The officers fired two rounds from their service firearms and terminated the threat. In a last ditch effort to create more carnage, Robinson, before expiring, threw both knives at the officers. Luckily, both knives struck the patrol vehicle and not the officers.
The officers demonstrated outstanding bravery above and beyond that which would be expected in the line of duty. Failure to have taken the actions that they did would not have justified censure. There was significant and immediate risk to both officers' lives, as well as the lives of the two occupants in the vehicle. Robinson had already killed one, and had clearly demonstrated that he would have killed others to get away. As such, the objective of preventing further violence by this person fully justified the risks that the officers took to terminating the threat posed by Robinson.
The actions of the officers meet and exceeds the criteria for the IAWP Medal of Valor. I humbly submit this recommendation for your information and action."
Congratulations once again, Monica! This past year, Monica was also promoted to Sergeant - a very well deserved promotion indeed!
Until next time, stay safe!
