Lodi awards ceremony honors those who protect and serve
Carnegie Forum was packed with friends and family on Wednesday afternoon for the 30th annual Law Enforcement Recognition Awards Ceremony as Lodi Police Chief Tod Patterson introduced Mayor Alan Nakanishi to address the department.
“On behalf of the city council, we love you, we respect you. Your men and women protect us, and as the city council we see all the work they do,” Nakanishi said.
Patterson then explained that the awards were developed as a way to recognize officers, support staff, volunteers and community members who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve the City of Lodi.
“That’s the most special thing about Lodi, is that people get involved. Too many times these days you see something happen and people pull out their phones and film it. They might call somebody to get the ball rolling, but they don’t do it themselves. They don’t walk the walk,” Patterson said.
One person who does walk the walk, according to Patterson, is Jennelle Baker, who joined the police department as a management analyst more than a year ago.
Baker helped reconcile the department’s $19 million budget, applied for and received five grants and oversees workers’ compensation claims, Patterson said. She also volunteered at functions such as the retiree barbecue, Christmas Light Parade and most recently the Baker-2-Vegas run, a 120mile race from Baker to Las Vegas.
Patterson described Baker as knowledgeable, an outstanding team player with a great attitude and humble before presenting her with a Meritorious Service Award in recognition of her service to the department.
“She came into her position at a difficult time, but during that time, she made a huge impact. If I had hair, it would be less gray from her time here. You are so deserving, it is my honor to present this award to you,” Patterson said.
Beaming with pride, Baker accepted the award, thanking her family, Patterson and the entire department.
“I’m very lucky to work for an agency that protects and serves the community where I was born and raised. The Lodi Police Department is full of employees who deserve medals for the work they do every day, and to choose me is an honor,” Baker said.
Officer Joseph Hughes was the first to be presented with a Life Saving Award that afternoon, for his efforts to rescue 3year-old George Diaz and his grandmother, Angelica Gutierrez, when they were attacked by a dog on Aug. 30, 2017.
Despite receiving a bite wound to his left hand, Patterson said, Hughes was able to stop the dog attack so that Diaz and Gutierrez could be treated for their injuries.
“I’m thankful to the chief and to my fellow officers. I’m honored to receive this award, and I’m honored to work for the City of Lodi,” Hughes said.
Cpl. Mitch LeStrange was the next recipient of the Life Saving Award for saving a stabbing victim on April 3, 2017. The victim had been stabbed during an assault, Patterson said, and likely would have died had LeStrange not used a T-shirt to stop the bleeding.
“When it happened, I didn’t think much about it. I came to work the next day and everybody was talking about it, but I didn’t know it was a big deal. Three days later, I got a call from the victim’s sister saying that I had basically saved her brother’s life. That was enough to validate what I did,” LeStrange said.
Capt. David Griffin then received a Purple Heart in recognition of the time he was shot in the leg while responding to a hostage situation on Feb. 12, 2001.
“This is something that happened 17 years ago. At that time, we didn’t have this award, but what he did was incredible and we feel he deserves to be recognized for it,” Patterson said.
Patterson presented Griffin with the award, along with a package of Hostess cupcakes to replace those that Patterson ate 17 years ago, once he heard that Griffin would recover from his injury.
“I’d like to thank the awards committee, this really wasn’t necessary. Thank all of you for being here, it really means a lot for the employees who got these awards. I’m humbled to be standing here next to them,” Griffin said.
Sgt. Carlos Fuentes won the Officer of the Year Award in recognition of his 15 years of service to the department. Since joining in 2003, Fuentes has served as a field training officer, detective, canine handler and member of the Honor Guard and SWAT Team, Patterson said.
“This is one that amazes me: Carlos Fuentes lives in Bakersfield. In 15 years, Carlos has never used a sick day. I’m extremely proud to present this award to you as Officer of the Year,” Patterson said.
Other awards include Volunteer of the Year, presented to Cpl. John Hughes of the Partners Program and the Unit Citation, given to the Dispatch Unit. Erika and Michelle Ceja won the Citizen’s Award for saving an autistic Tokay High School student from an assault on April 20, 2017 and providing testimony that helped convict two of the suspects for attempted robbery.
Meritorious Service Awards were also presented to Code Enforcement Officers Nancy Baker and Garth Hohn and Partner Phyllis Jorgenson, and Chief of Police Service Awards were presented to Mark Armstrong for founding Take Back Lodi and Tracy Williams, president of the Lodi Police Foundation.
“We talk about family all the time at the police department and looking at everyone here, we truly appreciate you taking the time to come out here. It means a lot to me, and it means a lot to them. We couldn’t do it without you,” Patterson said.