Costa Mesa police, firefighters honored

S.J. Cahn

COSTA MESA -- It was family day at the 39th annual Public Safety

Awards Luncheon.

Throughout the event, which honored Costa Mesa’s top police and

firefighters, the word “family,” the theme “family,” appeared again and

again.

It was the common thread that all the winners said helped drive them

to success, Fire Chief Jim Ellis noted.

“Family. Family was the most important,” he said.

Ellis and his fellow department head, Police Chief Dave Snowden,

presented the awards in tandem, to showcase the tightknit nature of the

police and fire departments.

Officer of the Year Det. Bob Fate -- who also was feted for recovering

more than $100,000 worth of stolen cars -- credited his wife. So did

Firefighter of the Year Engineer Mike Hastert, who also proudly pointed

out his son and daughter to the crowd.

Anna Rodriguez, who received the Civilian of the Year award,

highlighted a different kind of family through her love of animals. Ellis

and Snowden reported how she had told them the best part of her job was

being able to return lost pets to their families.

The worst? Having to deliver heartbreaking news to others.

There also was humor, as when Reserve Officer of the Year David DeHuff

stood before the crowd.

“I guess I’m living proof that if you do something long enough,

someone will feel obligated to give you an award,” he said, noting he’d

been at it 20 years.

And Communications Officer of the Year, Dianne Moore -- called “D.J.”

by her colleagues -- figured that winning her award entitled her to a

little something extra.

“I expect to have a really good review this year,” she said.

But it was families that dominated. Snowden was clearly pleased when

he got to present Volunteer of the Year Anita Porter Wells, who has been

part of the Police Department family for four years, working out of the

Westside substation.

“Anita is a living example that age has no bearing on your ability to

contribute to the community,” he said.

And to close the event, hosted by the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce,

City Manager Allan Roeder returned to the theme, praising the families of

the award winners.

“We owe a great deal to those families because we know you give up a

lot,” he said.