It’s a Day to Honor Heroes at Two Ceremonies

FBI Special Agent Michael German, who went undercover for months to infiltrate white supremacist groups in Southern California, was awarded a medal of valor Thursday for leading the successful investigation at the risk of his own life.

Elsewhere, 14 firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement officers were presented Los Angeles Community Protector awards at the Universal Sheraton for their willingness to go beyond the call of duty for their community.

“Special Agent German showed tremendous tenacity, courage and calm under extreme pressure,” the award to him stated. “His selfless dedication to his role and his sacrifice in the face of great danger resulted in the successful arrest and prosecution of many white supremacist individuals and the prevention of extremely serious and deadly hate crimes.”

German was one of eight federal agents whose work was honored by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Federal Bar Assn. on Thursday at the Century Plaza hotel.

Four of them--Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents Conway LeBleu, Todd W. McKeehan, Robert J. Williams and Steven David Willis--were honored posthumously. All four were killed during the Feb. 28, 1993, raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Tex.

Other recipients included Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Paul H. Clayton, who infiltrated drug organizations in California and South America; and Immigration and Naturalization Service agents Aaron G. Wilson and Frank J. Cabibi, who arrested two armed suspects despite threats from a group of nearby gang members demanding that the men be released.

At the Community Protector awards ceremony, about 800 community representatives, civic leaders and family members of the recipients attended the ceremony.

“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.

The winners of the 1994 awards are: Steven D. Hofbauer, a Los Angeles City Fire Department firefighter; Stephen J. Ruda, a Fire Department captain; Jose Isaac Gonzales, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy; James Hellmold, also a sheriff’s deputy; Rudy Mariscal, a Los Angeles County Fire Department specialist; Carlos Perez, a county Fire Department firefighter.

Also honored were Lise Ovesen, an LAPD officer; L. Dale Turner, an LAPD officer; William L. Glass, a California Highway Patrol officer; Michael H. Werner, a CHP officer; Darryl Forbes, Burbank Fire Department fire marshal; Rod Brooks, a Glendale police officer; Scott Jaeggi, a Downey Fire Department paramedic, and Sgt. David W. Smith of the Torrance Police Department.

Los Angeles Police Chief Willie L. Williams said the aim of the awards is to thank 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.”

Jose Isaac 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.

Gonzales made arrangements for a special bed to be given to the boy, got him front-row tickets to a Lakers game and stayed by the boy’s side when he died last February.

“I feel guilty for getting the award,” Gonzales said. “It was something that I did from my heart. You just don’t expect all this.”

Hofbauer called his award “overwhelming.” The 14-year veteran of the city Fire Department was singled out for his work in developing a quicker way to distribute toys for the department’s “Toys for Needy Children” program.