Burbank police recognized at inaugural ceremony

When Jesus Espindola arrived on the doorstep of a Burbank home around 2 a.m. one February morning in 2013, a woman was crying for help, bleeding from her neck and body due to multiple stab wounds.

The first on scene, the Burbank police officer sprung into action. While holding a towel to her neck, Espindola comforted the victim while obtaining a description of the suspects and the direction in which they fled to inform his colleagues.

Espindola was one of six officers who received a police medal on Thursday at the Burbank Police Department’s first awards luncheon. The police medal is given to officers who display exceptional tactics and judgment in response to stressful or hazardous situations, said Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse.

PHOTOS: Burbank police recognize their own at inaugural awards luncheon

“His quick thinking and scene management helped to save a young woman’s life and gave detectives the vital information they needed to successfully solve the case,” said radio host Tim Conway Jr., who presented the awards.

The woman, who fell into a coma after the stabbing, has reportedly since recovered. Six people were charged in connection with the stabbing.

Officers Neil Gunn and Ryan Benavidez both received a medal for providing a clear and concise radio broadcast moments after they were shot at while approaching a man loitering in Ralph Foy Park in 2009. Their actions led to the arrest of the suspect, who later admitted that he intended to steal another man’s car at gunpoint, Conway said.

The remaining three medals were awarded to Sgt. Thorsten Merich and Officers Cameron Mencuri and Christopher Hensley.

Meanwhile, four officers were recognized with a police star, awarded for “bravery and heroism” in the line of duty, while 10 police employees, both sworn and civil, received professional esteem awards.

That included Lt. JJ Puglisi for handling the “complex” internal investigation into allegations of officer misconduct during the 2007 Porto’s Bakery robbery investigation, and Sgt. Mitchell Ross for investigating and helping prosecute a man who stabbed a Burbank resident to death.

Among the police star recipients was Burbank Police Det. Brent Fekety, who rescued a 75-year-old man who was unconscious and badly burned from a house fire in December. The emergency-room physician reportedly said the victim would’ve died from the fire or from smoke inhalation had Fekety not crawled into the house and dragged him out.

Glendale Police Pilot Mike Woolner and Burbank Flight Officer Jason Embleton were each awarded a police star for rescuing a group of stranded hikers, including a child, on a steep hillside in Wildwood Canyon while on patrol in the police helicopter in November 2012, while Burbank Police Lt. Jay Hawver received a police star for climbing down a steep and rocky ravine to render aid to an injured motorcyclist who had crashed and fallen in October 2012.

In addition to recognizing law-enforcement officers, officials recognized 10 citizens for rendering aid in situations before the arrival of authorities.