10 Feted for Bravery, Community Support

Ten people were honored Thursday for their bravery and community support at the 20th annual Citizens’ Recognition Luncheon hosted by the Mid-Valley Community Police Council and Van Nuys Community Police Station.

“They’re truly heroes who have done amazing and perhaps foolhardy deeds by saving our community or citizens in our community,” said Judith Hirshberg, vice president of the police council.

Throughout the year, detectives nominate individuals who have helped someone in need, said Sgt. Paul Anderson, who acts as a liaison between the police council and detectives. Many of this year’s honorees risked their lives, something that the police department appreciates, but does not encourage.

“It’s a personal choice. Police officers are trained to know when to back off. Regular citizens just go by instinct,” Anderson said.

Those honored were:

* Jared Persten, George Dennis and Frank W. Ellis for helping restrain a man who robbed a McDonald’s restaurant.

* James Hartz, who called 911 after being approached by a man who said he had been forced to withdraw money from an automated teller machine. The victim and his wife had earlier been kidnapped and the woman raped.

* Hasson Graham and cousins Carlos and Jimmy Vargas, who struggled to get a gun away from a stalker.

* Mike and Colleena McHugh of San Francisco, who spotted a van thought to have been involved in the kidnapping of a girl in the San Fernando Valley. They called 911 and followed the van on the Golden State Freeway for 45 minutes until the California Highway Patrol arrived.

* Steve Poje, who arranged for donations of sod and flowers to improve a Van Nuys park.