Benicia Police honor officer of the year
BENICIA >> To celebrate the new year, the police department took time on Wednesday to recognized the recipients of various awards in 2019.
Awards include:
Officer of the Year: Detective Gregri DeGrange
Public Safety Dispatcher of the Year: Michele Foley
Professional Staff of the Year: Records clerk Suzanne Kaluza
Volunteer of the Year: Butch Griffin
Outstanding Citizen of the Year: Richard Goodwin
“Det. DeGrange is considered one of the hardest workers and most dedicated officers at the Benicia Police Department. He often flexes his schedule so he can work not only his assigned patrol shift, but also fulfill his duties as a narcotics detective in addition to his FBI task force commitment,” according to a post on the department’s official Facebook page. “Over the past year Det. DeGrange has demonstrated time and time again his desire to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Benicia.”
DeGrange primary duties have included working the graveyard patrol shift, serving as the department’s Narcotics Detective as well as working as a part time liaison with the Solano County FBI Violent Gang Task Force.
Foley, a dispatcher with the department for nearly 20 years, participated in teaching 911 for kids and also instructed the dispatch portion of the 2019 Citizen’s Academy, the same post states.
Early last year, Foley took a 911 call from a 7-year-old girl named Laura, who was reporting her mother who was having a seizure and needed medical attention.
“Laura was an excellent caller and Michelle showed compassion and empathy throughout the duration of her conversation with Laura, all while making sure emergency medical services were responding,” the post reads. “Michelle kept Laura on the line until paramedic’s arrived and kept an open dialog in order to keep Laura calm and safe until help was on scene.”
Recognized as professional staff person of the year, Kaluza has worked at the Benicia Police Department for 19 years and is currently the records clerk. She is responsible for all aspects of the Records Department including discovery requests from the District Attorney’s Office and Public Defender, Public Records Requests, preparing crime reports for release, and ensuring the DA is receiving reports in a timely manner, the post states.
“Suzie often puts in extra hours to make sure the Records Department is running smoothly with a workload that is continually growing with the increase in records requests and changes in laws,” it reads. “Suzie keeps up to date on all the new laws pertaining to police records. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail and willingness to get the job done makes her a valuable asset to the Benicia Police Department.”
Meanwhile, Butch Griffin was named volunteer of the year. He has been a patrol volunteer since 2015.
“Butch has consistently worked every week on his ‘Tuesday’ patrol day. Butch also worked many of the community events, putting in long hours helping at the July 3rd, Holy Ghost and Christmas parades, the Peddlers and Handicraft Fairs, Middle and High School graduations, and weekly student Walk to School programs.,” according to the post. “Butch is routinely available for emergency call outs that could last for hours without any complaints and is always looking for ways to help.”
Finally, the outstanding citizen of the year award went to Richard Goodwin, who has served as a wrestling coach at Benicia High School and the Benicia Middle School since 2009.
He has started a Jiu Jitsu/wrestling program for kids with developmental disabilities. This program has helped several children with developmental disabilities train with other children and discover a team environment that helps them come out of their shells, the post reads.
“At a low point in his life, Rich was addicted to alcohol and heroin and actually lived on the streets of San Francisco in the Tenderloin for about one year. Rich was eventually able to, with some help, pull himself out of the gutter,” the post states. “Rich began working with Genesis House and eventually became a sponsor himself. Rich completed the program and gained a job as a social worker with the CMF Vacaville. He spends much of his time working with inmates to get them on the straight and narrow path and become productive members of society.”