Gilroy
– They make decisions every day that save lives and protect
South County residents from crime, fire, and medical
emergencies.
By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – They make decisions every day that save lives and protect South County residents from crime, fire, and medical emergencies.
Wednesday, The Exchange Club of Gilroy honored 13 public safety officers as hometown heroes at its annual Blue & Gold Awards Luncheon.
“This is our highest honor,” said Shirley Willard, Exchange Club president-elect, who called the public safety profession “a way of life.”
Representatives of seven agencies presented the awards to their respective honorees.
Two Gilroy firefighters were lauded for their motivation and ability to handle multiple difficult tasks. Gilroy Fire Department Division Chief Clay Bentson presented the nominations for Engineer-Paramedic Shaun Peyghambary and Paid-call Firefighter Jim Dempsey. Peyghambary, who has more than 15 years’ experience, has a strong work ethic and helps the department make decisions regarding its paramedic program, Bentson said.
Dempsey’s work in Gilroy is only part of his busy schedule that in the past year included earning his paramedic’s license and working with an ambulance company, Bentson said. Dempsey hopes to eventually work full-time for the GFD.
“As tired as he should have been, he would show up to a fire scene and give 110 percent,” Bentson said.
Gilroy Police Department Chief Gregg Giusiana nominated Detective Dan Zen, in honor of his investigation into a cold case that resulted in a murder conviction of known gang member Paul Zapata late last year. A 24-year-old Soledad man was killed in 2001, but police had almost no physical evidence or witnesses to aid the investigation. After putting in hundreds of hours and convincing people with knowledge to talk, Zen built a case and Zapata was arrested in 2003. He was sentenced in April to 50 years to life in prison for the murder.
“He didn’t let it go, he kept working it,” Giusiana said.
Zen’s wife, Mindy, a corporal with the Morgan Hill Police Department, received his award because he is out of town.
Santa Clara County Fire Department Fire Chief Ben Lopes nominated Fire Captain Joe Viramontez, who has been with the department for 20 years. Assigned to the El Toro station in Morgan Hill, Viramontez is active in community education, and particularly drinking and driving programs for youth.
The California Department of Forestry Santa Clara Unit honored Paid-call firefighter George Kievlan. A 33-year veteran, Kievlan runs the paid-call program for the area and serves the community by coordinating fundraisers and a program that provides gifts to needy children during the holidays.
A group of MHPD officers received awards for their actions last year during what appeared to be an attack on a Morgan Hill school. In fact, the “attack” reported by frantic neighbors was a group of several kids with replica weapons. Chief Bruce Cumming credited Sgt. Rick Rodriguez with smoothly coordinating the officers’ response despite the stress of the situation. Rodriguez in turn gave credit to Officer Rick Vestal, who recognized one of the guns as fake, and eased the fears of the officers who arrived at the school.
“We were thinking this was the worst,” Rodriguez said. “We keep our … assault weapons in our cars, those came out. We were ready for a confrontation.”
MHPD officers receiving awards but not present were Cpl. Troy Hoefling, and officers Scott Silva, Mike Nelsen, Kevin Beilmann and David Ray.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office nominee was Detective Julian Quiñonez, who investigated and brought down two high-profile burglary rings last year. His effort solved more than 20 cases, resulted in several arrests, and recovered tens of thousands of dollars in stolen property.
California Highway Patrol Public Affairs Officer Matt Ramirez took home honors for the energy and self-motivation he has brought to the agency since 2002, said Sgt. Dave Hill. He was one of the leaders in drunken driving arrests while on the night shift, and his leadership in programs such as a Special Olympics fundraiser and drunken driving education activities earned him employee of the year for 2004.
“He keeps us motivated on days when we’re just there at the desk,” Hill said.
The only award given to a non-public service worker was The Book of Golden Deeds Award, presented by Exchange Club member Vilma Pinheiro. Bruce Williams, manager of Heritage Bank of Commerce and a 14-year community volunteer, gives his time to support events like American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Rebekah Children’s Services, Gilroy Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce and others, Pinheiro said.
“He has opened the bank, which he manages, on several occasions on Saturdays to allow the Exchange Club to distribute food for the needy,” she said.
The recipients received plaques from the Exchange Club before a crowd at the I.F.D.E.S. Lodge that included Mayor Al Pinheiro, Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage, Councilman Craig Gartman, Interim Director of the Economic Development Corporation Jane Howard, Bonfante Gardens Board of Directors President Bob Kraemer and Dispatch staff.
The Exchange Club is a non-profit volunteer organization that supports child abuse prevention and other causes. The club meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month at Mama Mia’s.
