OXNARD : Patrolman Named Legion Officer of Year
An Oxnard policeman has been selected Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the American Legion of California--the first Ventura County officer to receive the award.
“It’s very shocking,” said Officer Joe Marino, who has patrolled the streets of Oxnard for the past 14 years. “There are so many officers that deserve recognition. I feel very honored to be bestowed with this award.”
Marino, 39, shot and wounded Alan Winterbourne, the frustrated former engineer who killed four people and wounded three others during a shooting rampage at an Oxnard unemployment office last year. Winterbourne was later killed by Ventura police.
“I know I was lucky to get out of there in one piece, but I don’t think I did anything other officers would not have done,” said Marino, who was one of the first officers on the scene.
Marino was nominated for the Americal Legion award by Oxnard Police Cmdr. Jamie Skeeters. He was previously awarded the Ventura County Peace Officers’ Medal of Valor.
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