Ceremony Recognizes Community Protectors : Awards: Civic leaders and family members celebrate the bravery of public servants who went beyond the call of duty.

Fourteen firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement officers were presented Los Angeles Community Protector awards Thursday at the Universal Sheraton for their willingness to go beyond the call of duty for their communities.

About 800 community representatives, civic leaders and members of the award recipients’ families attended the $35-a-plate ceremony hosted by weatherman Christopher Nance of KNBC.

“Many people don’t realize that these men and women devote their time doing things in the community after they leave their jobs,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson, who created the awards 10 years ago with Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who was also in attendance.

The winners of the 1994 awards are: Steven D. Hofbauer and Stephen J. Ruda of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Jose Isaac Gonzales and James Hellmold of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Carlos Perez and Rudy Mariscal of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lise Ovesen and L. Dale Turner of the Los Angeles Police Department, William L. Glass and Michael H. Werner of the California Highway Patrol, Darryl Forbes of the Burbank Fire Department, Rod Brooks of the Glendale Police Department, Scott Jaeggi of the Downey Fire Department and David W. Smith of the Torrance Police Department.

LAPD Chief Willie L. Williams, there to present two awards, said the concept of the award is to say “thank you” to those who put in those extra hours to make a difference. “It shows the hard work and dedication these people have,” Williams said. “It typifies what 100 officers do every day.”

“It is overwhelming,” said Hofbauer, a 14-year veteran of the LAFD, after the ceremony. “Especially when you look at the caliber of people I was with.”

Hofbauer was singled out for developing a quicker way to distribute toys for the LAFD’s “Toys for Needy Children” program. Hofbauer, who is stationed in Reseda, also helped activate the program after the Jan. 17 earthquake so children living in shelters and tent cities could have something to occupy their time.

“It is kind of bittersweet for me,” said L. Dale Turner, a 22-year LAPD veteran currently stationed at North Hollywood. “I have just been promoted to sergeant and will no longer be on motor (detail).”

Turner, who wore a chest of medals from the LAPD’s highest honor--a Medal of Valor--to those from his stint in Vietnam as a marine, created a traffic desk at his station so residents could voice their complaints. In addition, he provided the community with a 24-hour voice mail and made himself available around the clock to address their traffic concerns.

Gonzales, a nine-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department now stationed in East Los Angeles, was recognized for his devotion to a terminally ill 9-year-old cancer patient, among other accomplishments.

Gonzales came upon the boy while handling calls in the area and made arrangements for a special bed to be given to the boy, got him front row tickets to a Lakers’ game and ultimately stayed by the boy’s side as he passed away last February.