Katz to Be Honored by City Police Panel

Former Valley Assemblyman Richard Katz has been named the 1997 recipient of the San Fernando Police Advisory Council’s Chief Dominick Rivetti Award.

Katz will be honored at a banquet Friday at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills that will serve as a fund-raiser for the city’s Police Department.

The award was established last year to honor the current San Fernando police chief for 25 years of service to the city. Rivetti was the first recipient of the award.

Before term limits forced him to retire, Katz served for 16 years in the Assembly, part of that time as the state Democratic leader. He recently announced his intention to run next year for the state Senate.

“We are honoring him for his work in the Assembly and for his continuing support of law enforcement,” said Patty Quezada, president of the advisory council.

Proceeds from the event, which will include a silent auction of sports memorabilia, travel products, jewelry and other items, will go toward the purchase of equipment the Police Department cannot afford to buy on its own, Quezada said.

Money from this year’s banquet will help pay for a K-9 unit, she said.

The award dinner, which is open to the public, will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75.

For more information or to buy tickets, call Marianne Barrios at (818) 365-3111.