LAPD Reserve Police Officers of the Year and Community Leaders Honored at Twice-A-Citizen Banquet
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 19, 2014 -- Los Angeles Reserve Police Officers and Specialists were once again honored at the annual Twice a Citizen Awards Dinner on Saturday April 5th at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, in what was the 40th Anniversary of the original reserve dinner. Three Community Leaders were also recognized as “Twice-a-Citizens.
The Los Angeles Police Department's Reserve Corps was established in 1947 and continues to this day. LAPD's Reserve Police Officers are held to the same standards and training as full-time officers.
The Department Reserve Officer of the Year was Rudy Crusat, of Training Division. He has served as the primary mentor to reserve officer candidates for several years – from recruitment through the testing phases of the hiring process. Officer Crusat has distinguished himself by working over 300 hours. He also received the honor for Specialized Divisions.
The evening was packed with honorees.
The West Bureau Officer of the Year was Brian Pearcy (West Traffic Division); the South Bureau Officer of the Year was Sharon Abbott (Harbor Area); the Central Bureau Officer of the Year was Timothy Bragg (Northeast); and the Valley Bureau Officer of the Year was Gary Hall (Devonshire).
Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation (LAPRF) Co-Presidents Karla Ahmanson and Michael Sellars welcomed the officers and guests, having been elected by the Foundation Board last December.
President Ahmanson said: “A lot has changed since then - 40 years ago when this dinner was established -- except for one thing: the unwavering commitment of those in this room to the Los Angeles Police Department.”
President Sellars said: “If anyone underestimates the dedication and the commitment of our Los Angeles Reserve Police Officers, tell them what you see and hear tonight – show them the cover of tonight’s program.”
The cover of the banquet program/journal was that of “Andy” Anderson who, has a combined 65 years of service as both a reserve and a full-time officer – “Officer Anderson was there at the banquet and received a standing ovation and, signed a few autographs.
The Foundation Co-Presidents also recognized Reserve Policeman George Booker Mogle. Last September, his daughter 87-year-old Luella Tralle came to Los Angeles to receive his LAPD Purple Heart.
The news was received that LAPD Officer Christopher Cortijo had been critically-injured in a traffic collision and Chief Charlie Beck was on his way to the hospital. But before he left, he said:
“My time with the Reserve Corps taught me something very profound. And it wasn’t about policing, it was about people. It was about sacrifice. It was about people who would be willing to do such a dangerous and difficult job for no money and little recognition.”
Assistant Chief Sandy Jo MacArthur took the Chief of Police’s place in recognizing the reserve officers of the year and community honorees. Deputy Chief Mark Perez was also there to honor the officers, as Department Reserve Coordinator.
Nineteen reserve officers received their service pins for 25-, 30-, 35-, and 40-years at the banquet.
The three Twice-a-Citizen/Community Leader honorees were:
Beau Boeckmann, Vice President of Galpin Motors, Inc, who has been deeply involved in many community and philanthropic efforts; Steve Fazio, President and CEO of Fazio Enterprises, who served many years as a Los Angeles Reserve Police Officer, and was later appointed to the Los Angeles Fire Department Board of Commissioners; and Melvin Kennedy, former President of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation and 32-year veteran reserve officer.
The Mistress of Ceremonies was Christine Devine of Fox News. John Moschitta Jr – perhaps best known as the fast-talking man in the Fed Ex commercials – was the live auctioneer.
The annual banquet is funded by the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation. The Foundation extended special gratitude to:
“Walter Wang and JM Eagle
Galpin Motors and Bert Boeckmann
Gary and Linda Goldfein
Andrea and Albert Friedman
Mark Deitch and 911 Media
The Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union
Steve Fazio
The Eagle & Badge Foundation
Andrews International
LA Police Command Officers Association
John Moriarity
Tom Flesh,
Michael Rosson and California Supply
Taylor Van, for chairing the banquet.
Scherr Lillico and The Proper Image Special Events"
The LAPRF website is at http://www.laprf.org.
The LAPRF Facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesPoliceReserveFoundation.
Michael Sellars, Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation, http://www.laprf.org, +1 8183700078, [email protected]
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