Veteran of LAPD Earns a Tribute for His Services

For the past 19 years, David Martinez, a Los Angeles police officer, has been letting the community know he’s on its side. Last month, the community said thank you.

More than 250 residents of the Del Rey area gathered for a surprise tribute to Martinez, honoring him for his dedication and service to the community. In addition to residents, numerous Los Angeles city, school and Police Department officials were on hand to extend their gratitude.

City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter gave Martinez a council commendation. A representative from the city attorney’s office, Westside school board member Mark Slavkin and Braddock Elementary School Principal John Manken also spoke. Proclamations from Mayor Tom Bradley, the county Board of Supervisors and Police Chief Daryl F. Gates were presented during the tribute by Manken.

One of eight lead officers for the LAPD Pacific Division, Martinez works within the Venice, Mar Vista and Westchester communities. His responsibilities include patrolling local streets, creating Neighborhood Watch programs, and establishing better relations between officers and citizens.

“It seems everyone has had a bad experience at one time or another with the police,” he said. “I try to treat everyone with respect and listen to their problems.”

Since being assigned to the Pacific Division nearly 18 years ago, Martinez has been instrumental in fostering an attitude of community service. Time and accessibility are two components that Martinez said he thinks are critical to successful community programs. “I like making myself available and talking with people,” he said. “Then they know that there is an officer that they can go to and not get the runaround.”

Robert Jarman, a resident of Westchester, attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington last month.

Jarman, one of 250 high school students chosen from across the country, was recognized for his academic, leadership and citizenship achievements at Westchester High School. He was also a winner of the school’s Academic Achievement Award for maintaining a grade-point average above 3.5.

The Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation has presented its Albert Schweitzer Leadership Awards to U.S. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney, who chairs the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The award is given to men and women who have taken leadership roles in business or public service and who have contributed to the youth of America.

The Pioneer Skippers Boat Owners Assn. saluted Willie Hjorth and Duane Nightingale as Woman and Man of The Year at a dinner in Marina del Rey on Oct. 25.

They were recognized for their efforts in making the beach cities a better place to live. Hjorth organizes the Marina del Rey Christmas Parade and Nightingale was recently installed as lieutenant governor of Kiwanis International.

Eleanor Sax Ellis was honored by the Ida Mayer Cummings Auxiliary of the Jewish Home for the Aging in Los Angeles. Ellis, recognized for her philanthropic contributions, founded the Ellis Eye Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and endowed the New Esther and Mark Schulman Medical Building at the Jewish Home.

Dr. Sigi and Marilyn Ziering were the recipients of the Friends of Tel Hashomer’s first Laureate of Distinction Award at a black-tie dinner on Oct. 23 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. The Zierings have been longtime supporters of the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, which is the largest medical facility in Israel.