YCSO recognizes employees, volunteers at awards ceremony
Honors go to deputy and detention officers of the year
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office held its 37th Annual Awards Presentation and Recognition Ceremony at Britain’s Farm Chuckwagon and Steakhouse on March 22. More than 200 employees, volunteers, family and friends attended the event.
During the awards presentation, officers, civilian employees and volunteers were recognized for their outstanding service to the Sheriff’s Office and the community during 2023.
Each year, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office recognizes employees and volunteers for their achievements, dedication to professional excellence and outstanding or meritorious performance of duty during the previous calendar year.
The awards for administration employees, detention support staff, detention officers and deputies must meet criteria related to professionalism, customer service, quality, teamwork, special projects, leadership and knowledge.
Under professionalism, individuals conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values and goals of the Sheriff’s Office; demonstrate an above average knowledge of their job responsibilities and consistently deliver a high-quality job performance and services; display exceptional dependability; and have a positive attitude.
Under customer service, award-winners must also consistently recognize and meet the needs and requirements of customers; demonstrate compassion in dealing with the customer, being mindful of how their attitude and actions are perceived; and use innovative problem-solving techniques when necessary to most appropriately address the customer’s needs and reflects a positive image of the Sheriff’s Office.
Under quality, winners must consistently use a systematic approach to accomplish their responsibilities, taking care to minimize errors and acknowledge and take pride in ownership of the day-to-day processes for which they are responsible and use initiative where necessary to meet overall goals.
For teamwork, employees consistently demonstrate a spirit of teamwork by offering support to
fellow employees whenever a need arises for a collective effort in accomplishing a task or goal; take a positive approach in interacting with fellow employees and seek opportunities to contribute to the overall mission objective.
Under special projects, employees volunteer for and work on special projects and perform extra duties beyond those normally assigned.
For leadership, supervisors create work environments that facilitate work/life balance, professional development and performance management, a positive leadership style that empowers others, and treats all employees with dignity, respect and integrity.
Under knowledge, supervisors are familiar with, adhere to and enforce Sheriff’s Office and County policies and procedures and all laws applicable to their position.
For the Esprit de Corps Award, employees and volunteers display performance that exemplifies spirit, wit, devotion and loyalty to duty to which all other employees and volunteers aspire in the promotion of the Sheriff’s Office, its goals and missions. The Detention Award is also known as the Jerry Brass Award.
For the Innovator of the Year award, winners provide innovative ideas that enhance the efficiency of a bureau.
The Special Merit Award is based on recognition by fellow employees or volunteers for contributions made during the year which warrants special recognition.
Detention and Patrol Bureau awards are open only to certified peace officers and certified detention officers.
The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes a certified peace officer and detention officer for an act or series of acts accomplished in a manner that was beyond reasonable expectations and which resulted in credit and praise to the officer and the Sheriff’s Office.
The Meritorious Service Award recognizes a certified peace officer or certified detention officer who exhibits distinguished service to the Sheriff’s Office and to the community. The Reserve Deputy Award is also known as the Jim Ginn Award.
The Rookie of the Year Award goes to a certified peace officer or detention officer with less than two years of service who has shown enthusiasm, ingenuity, resourcefulness and other attributes that are commonly associated with a veteran officer.
The Reserve Officer of the Year goes to a certified reserve peace officer who has exhibited professionalism and dedication to the Sheriff’s Office and the community. This award is also known as the George Sprague Award.
Volunteers of the Year awards go to members of each specific volunteer organization who has directly supported Sheriff’s Office functions; who has been recognized by their specific organization or by a member of the Sheriff’s Administration; and who has clearly exhibited exemplary professional performance of duty.
The list of award recipients is as follows:
ADMINISTRATION BUREAU
• Claudia Macias, Employee of the Year
• Jerry Quintana, Administration Supervisor of the Year
• Claudia Macias, Special Merit Award
DETENTION BUREAU
• Francisco Sandoval, Detention Support Staff Member of the Year
• Virginia Quiroz, Detention Support Supervisor of the Year
• Luis Lozano, Detention Officer of the Year
• Jasmine Saldana, Detention Supervisor of the Year
• Rennee Gallegos, Esprit De Corps Award
• Jesus Beltran, Special Merit Award
• Corey Russom, Innovator of the Year Award
• Zachary Hixon, Meritorious Service Award
• Pedro Alvarez, Outstanding Achievement Award
• Jentry Goforth, Rookie of the Year Award
PATROL BUREAU
• Kenneth Allmon, Deputy of the Year
• Russell Russom, Patrol Supervisor of the Year
• Misael Meza, Esprit De Corps Award
• Ronald Jesser, Special Merit Award
• Bryan Evans, Innovator of the Year Award
• Carlos Olmos, Meritorious Service Award
• Nathan Hunter, Outstanding Achievement Award
• Daniel Dillinger, Rookie of the Year Award
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
• Ron Bramstedt, Civilian Volunteer of the Year
• Bryan Perez, Explorer of the Year
• Mark Galate, Posse Member of the Year
• Steven Smith, Search and Rescue Member of the Year