Blue and Gold Awards a tribute to public servants
Gilroy – Who knew heroes were so humble?
Ten public servants were honored for the contributions they make every day during South County’s annual Blue and Gold Awards Luncheon Wednesday.
Some were selected for their ability to diffuse high intensity situations, such as talking a man with a gun pointed at his head out of committing suicide without police backup. Others were honored for their dedication to the positions they love. But all had very little to say about their individual accomplishments.
“He didn’t feel he was the type of individual who should be receiving this award – that he was just doing his job,” Battalion Chief Derek Witmer said of South Santa Clara Fire District/CDF Engineer Paramedic Tim Irwin. He helped raise almost $200,000 in equipment for the department through grant writing and was actually upset when he found out about the award.
Most recipients showed similar humility.
“I consider it a blessing and a privilege to serve in the community I live in,” said Firefighter/Paramedic Scott MacDonald, of his nomination as Gilroy Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year award. Hired in 2002, he helped start the department’s paramedic program and for the past four years he has taught various Emergency Medical Services classes and firefighter safety classes for the department.
Anti-Crime Team Investigator Pedro Espinoza of the Gilroy Police Department was honored for his undercover work in a four-month long investigation that brought down an auto theft ring in three counties last year. He helped purchase 48 stolen vehicles and arrest 25 suspects in the sting operation.
“When we looked at his background, we knew we had a gem,” boasted Chief Gregg Giusiana of his 2003 hire. “He’s one of those guys when something needs to be done, we look to him.”
Morgan Hill Police Chief Bruce Cumming had bragging rights of his own, following an arrest made by three officers last year of a suspected murderer out of San Jose. Officer Kyle Christensen, Sgt. Ricardo Rodriguez and Cpl. Shane Palsgrove spent nine hours searching for the man who had escaped on foot during a traffic stop.
The officers found him hiding underneath the crawl space of a Morgan Hill home – after police K9s couldn’t.
“These guys risked their lives – it was dirty under there, it was scary, and these guys did their job,” Cumming said.
Mayor Al Pinheiro hosted the event at the I.F.D.E.S. Lodge, but was upstaged by his wife Vilma, who was the only non-public service worker to receive recognition for her volunteerism spirit and selfless approach. She was recognized as the Exchange Club’s unsung hero.
But she isn’t alone in her dedication to service.
South Santa Clara/CDF Paid Call Firefighter Shane Webster is a machinist by trade, but a firefighter in his heart. He worked more than 600 hours a year – on top of his full-time work.
“When they first told me about the Blue and Gold Awards I was just like, What? No!” Webster said, after the ceremony. “Eventually I would like to work in South County (as a full-time firefighter).”
Battalion Chief Ken Kehma of the Santa Clara County Fire Department was nominated for his work in the aftermath of agency’s first death of a firefighter last year in Los Gatos. He conducted a summary of events to help prevent future tragedies during an emotional time for the department.
California Highway Patrol Officer Ken Foster was nominated for upholding the agency’s mission to reducing accidents and saving lives by writing more than 1,150 traffic citations and assisting more than 200 motorists last year.
And whether it was solving a rash of residential and auto burglaries in South County or talking a suicidal man on Watsonville Road out of pulling the trigger, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Deputy Gabriel Sandoval makes every day count. But the veteran of 21 years probably wouldn’t tell you that.
“It’s a little overwhelming to be up here in front of all you people,” he said while accepting his award. “But it’s my privilege to serve this community and I hope to do it for a long time.”
