Officers Earn Medals of Valor for Heroics
Police Officers Tim Garcia and Jeffrey “J. J.” Imperial were awarded the Medal of Valor by the Police Department at its annual awards ceremony and retirement banquet.
Garcia was seriously wounded in a close-range shootout with an assault suspect in September at a motel in Anaheim. Imperial came to Garcia’s aid in the incident. The suspect was killed in the gun battle.
Other Police Department members honored at the banquet last month were five retirees: Sgt. Kenneth Brott, 28 years of service; Det. Garey Churchill, 30 years; Officer Marianne Miller, 13 years; Reserve Officer Paul McLaughlin, 13 years; and civil liability investigator William Masters, 10 years.
Also honored were: Officer Timothy Schmidt, cited for distinguished service; Sgt. Steve Rodig, career achievement; Sgt. Mike Gray, Patrol Officer of the Year; Officer Robert Stewart, Traffic Officer of the Year; Officer Johnny Estrada, Community Services Division Officer of the Year; and George Dominguez, Investigator of the Year.
Honored as Detectives of the Year were Ron Drvol and Werner Raes.
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