Police name officer and civilian of the year

Lt. Robert Gonzalez and Dispatcher Amanda Horvath have been named as Officer and Civilian of the Year.

Officers and employees of the Eastlake Police Department named Lt. Robert Gonzalez and Dispatcher Amanda Horvath as officer and civilian of the year.

Gonzalez, who has won this award twice before, is a decorated officer who has been with the department for 29 years.

“From his major roles in crash reconstruction, hostage negotiation, and the fugitive task force to his leadership as an executive lieutenant and head of the bureau, he has always put forth his best efforts to make the police department a better and safer environment to work,” Police Chief Larry Reik in a letter of nomination.

One of the more recent and notable instances of his dedication, according to Reik, was when Gonzalez spotted suspects wanted for aggravated robbery of Papa Joe’s on June 6. He followed them onto I-90 and after they pulled over he chased them on foot.

“He admirably did his duties without hesitation and without knowledge that the suspects were armed and dangerous,” Reik said. “Lt. Gonzalez is a true role model for young officers and is a symbol of hard work for the Eastlake Police Department.”

Gonzalez said it was a surprise and an honor to be chosen again for the award.

“I am humbled by it because you just want to do your job as a supervisor and do what you can for your men to make sure they are doing well in whatever they have to do and assist them along,” Gonzalez said. “It’s very humbling to know that my actions are recognized by the guys and they really appreciate it.”

A dispatcher, Horvath has been employed by the city for 11 years.

Reik describes her as someone who does an amazing job in the dispatch center while also coordinating cases in the agency. He credits her with helping while contending with a smaller workforce. The chief also acknowledged her for the time she spends checking the pages on Facebook for other cities and her work in closing cases.

“She has done all this while receiving compliments for her demeanor and patience on dealing with the community and all police/nonpolice specific calls,” Reik said in his letter of nomination. “Amanda is a tremendous asset to her field and continues to bring honor and prestige to this department.”

“It was really a surprise to be nominated for Civilian Employee of the Year,” Horvath said. “Our dispatch group is comprised of some of the hardest working people I know, so to be singled out to receive this award is really an honor.”

Reik said Gonzalez and Horvath are outstanding.

“We have done a lot with less over the last decade now and without people like them stepping up and making sure everything gets handled, it would be impossible, ”Reik said.

“Lt. (Robert) Gonzalez is a true role model for young officers and is a symbol of hard work for the Eastlake Police Department.” — Police Chief Larry Reik

KRISTI GARABRANDT — THE NEWS-HERALD Lieutenant Robert Gonzalez and Dispatcher Amanda Horvath were named as Eastlake Police Department officer and civilian of the year.