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Law enforcement agencies honor their own
Keynote speaker Chaplain Bob Appleby set the tone for Wednesday night’s Placer Law Enforcement Agencies honor awards. “What compels you to risk your life for someone you don’t even know?” Appleby said. “No one understands why people would rush to a disaster except you. But you would probably state, ‘I was just doing my job.’” An estimated 300 people packed the historic Heritage Theater in Lincoln on Wednesday where more than 60 Placer County officers and volunteers were honored for their bravery and self-sacrifice. As a part of the tribute, audience members viewed a presentation of “The Cross and the Towers,” a documentary on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The film depicts the actions of several key individuals involved in the aftermath of the attacks - including Appleby’s experience traveling from Connecticut to ground zero daily for five months following 9/11 to offer his services to rescue workers. Appleby said he learned a lot about officers during time spent at in New York. “9/11 elevated your vocation among the American public,” he told the crowd. “My experience at ground zero opened my mind and heart to people like you.” According to Auburn Police Chief Valerie Harris, this year’s ceremony not only honored more law enforcement personnel than ever before, but the tribute extended to include those who have died. The evening’s first honoree, Park Ranger Gilbert Entao of California State Parks, received the Chaplaincy Award & Recognition for Service posthumously. Entao passed away unexpectedly at age 35 of a heart condition in February. His wife Kathy accepted the award. Agencies also recognized departed Officer Charles “Chuck” Lemley of the California Highway Patrol and Deputy Billy “Bill” Ray George and Reserve Officer Art Laguna, both of the Placer County Sheriff’s Department. Laguna also served as an Army National Guard helicopter pilot. He was killed in January when his helicopter was shot down by enemy fire in Iraq, Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner said. Gold Medals of Valor went to California Highway Patrol Officers Joseph Haggerty and David White for their helicopter rescue of two wounded El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies during a Shingle Springs shootout in June. The two men distracted an armed suspect while the injured deputies found better cover, El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Neves said. While still under fire from the gunman, White - who was without body armor - helped the deputies into the helicopter. An entire team of Placer County sheriff’s deputies earned Silver Medals of Honor for their skilled patience in managing a Newcastle hostage situation in October 2006. During a shootout that lasted one hour and 45 minutes - and despite little protection - deputies were able to keep their cool, resulting in the safe capture of the suspect and rescue of five hostages. Patience was a virtue that paid off for another honored Placer County team as well. Agencies awarded the Crimes Against Persons Unit a Distinguished Service Commendation for the tedious work that led to Mario Garcia’s first-degree murder conviction in the death of Christie Wilson - the first no-body homicide prosecution in Placer County history, Sheriff Bonner said. “These individuals spent countless hours on the case, which involved interviews, forensic analysis, searches of hundreds of square miles, over ten thousand pages of discovery, and hundreds of photos and evidentiary items,” Bonner said. “They exercised honor, professionalism, and brought a degree of dignity to the tragic loss and memory of Christie Wilson.” Garcia was sentenced to prison for 59 years in January. Deputy Laurie Bettencourt was awarded a Distinguished Service Commendation for her work in the Placer County Sheriff’s Department Youth and Community Services Divison with the DARE Program, the Explorer Program, and for obtaining a grant from ABC to combat alcohol sales to minors. Also receiving the a Distinguished Service Commendation was Roseville PD Dispatcher Kembra Slater for her service, including expanding her responsibilites with regards to training and union involvement. “Not in the history of PLEA awards have we ever had such a large number of recipients,” Chief Harris said after the ceremony. “It was certainly moving. We especially had some great feedback from families of the departed. And we got some excellent feedback about Bob (Appleby).”
PLEA awards granted
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