Hufnagel named officer of the year

Torus Tammer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- William Hufnagel had a new honor bestowed upon him.

Last month, the 19-year Fountain Valley Police Department veteran was

named Police Officer of the Year by the Fountain Valley Police Officers’

Association.

Hufnagel, who is assigned to the patrol division, started his career

with the Southgate Police Department, where he stayed for three years. On

March 22, 1982, he joined the Fountain Valley department.

During his career in Fountain Valley, Hufnagel has been assigned to

the traffic division, served as a field training officer and is assigned

to the departments Every 15 Minutes program.

Not one to toot his own horn, Hufnagel, 44, said he was genuinely

taken aback by the honor.

“I was very surprised, and to be honest, I find it a very humbling

experience,” Hufnagel said. “It is a very special experience for me

because it is decided on by my peers.”

During the awards banquet, Police Chief Elvin Miali also presented

certificates of recognition to Senior Officer Steve Isaacs, Officer

Tiffany Reardon, dispatcher Susie Stephen and police aide Jennifer

McKeown.

Miali said that Hufnagel has a great sense of humor and is a very

deserving officer that garners a lot of respect from fellow officers.

“You could refer to him as a work horse,” Miali said. “If you need

something done, he’s the one to do it. I have a lot of admiration for the

guy. Great sense of humor.”

Fountain Valley Police Sgt. Jim Perry said that six weeks before the

awards, officers nominate who they think should be the recipient of the

award. This year, four officers were nominated.

“The people who win are the ones who have done their jobs the way it

supposed to be done,” Perry said. “I think that this award is an

opportunity for officers to recognize peers for doing an outstanding

job.”