Cops, volunteers honored

Barbara Diamond

John Falk was honored as the city’s Officer of the Year for 2002 at

the Laguna Beach Police Department Awards Banquet, held May 22 at

Tivoli Terrace.

“On behalf of all the members of the Laguna Beach Police

Department, I want to thank you for joining us here tonight to pay

tribute to our employees for what they do throughout the year,” Chief

James Spreine said.

In all, 27 officers, reserve officers, volunteers and civilians

were honored at the annual dinner, which was sponsored by the

Exchange Club of Laguna Beach and the Century Exchange Club.

Volunteer and reserve officer awards are based on donated time.

Fellow officers nominate the recipients of other awards. Nominations

are reviewed by the command staff, which makes the final selection,

except for Officer and Civilian of the Year, which are voted on by

the entire department.

Falk, who also was awarded a Medal of Courage this year, has been

a member of the department since 1989. He is assigned as field

training officer with the rank of Police Officer II. He has taught

courses in field tactics, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and first

aid. He also fills in as watch commander.

In his off-time, Falk teaches courses at a community college and

spends time with his wife, Laguna Beach Animal Control Officer Joy

Falk, and his children Tim, 16, Brian, 14, and Andy, 11.

He has received more than 50 letters of commendation and

appreciation for his job performance and actions above and beyond the

call of duty. He has also been awarded medals of merit and valor.

“John has always been Officer of the Year to me,” Joy Falk said.

“His sons were pretty impressed, too.”

The Medal of Courage was awarded to Falk and to Darin Lenyi and

Officers Brian Kelso and Mark Litchenberg for their bravery during an

armed robbery on South Coast Highway in 2002. Officer Larry Bammer,

who was shot by the robber, was presented with a Police Cross.

Richard White, who is no longer with the department, received a

Medal of Merit.

Commendations were presented to Reserve Officers Sean Prewitt,

Shaun Cahill, Robert Romaine and Ben Teschner. Teschner, who attended

the Police Academy after participating in the volunteer Cops on

Patrol program, received two awards.

CIVILIAN AWARDS

Tina-Marie Linden was named of the Civilian of the Year.

“It’s a real honor,” Linden said.

She has been a department employee for about three and a half

years, serving as Chief Spreine’s secretary. Her responsibilities

include organizing staff and committee meetings and making sure the

chief gets there on time.

Junior Police Officer Joe Masella was also recognized at the

banquet.

Masella, 11, a fifth-grader at El Morro Elementary School, is an

honorary member of the department and the hero of many.

He copes with an obscure disease that blisters his skin and his

esophagus, but doesn’t let that stop him.

The above-average student serves as president of the student body

and has appeared in two talent shows.

There is no cure for epidermolysis bullosa, which causes the

blistering, and little funding for research because the condition is

so rare.

Masella was cited as an outstanding example of what a boy can

accomplish and awarded a Medal of Courage.

Senior Dispatcher Donna Gutierrez and dispatchers Kristen Ferguson

and Kelly Jensen were awarded Ribbons of Commendation.

Kathleen Duperoy was commended for her services to the

department’s Explorer Post. Dylan Metzler was named Explorer of the

Year.

VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Service commendations were presented to Citizens On Patrol Luci

Berkowitz, Ted Brunner, Jean Lamphere, Nancy Taylor, Ramona Loucks,

Carlos McAfee, Hal Werthe and Doris Wilkinson.

Guests at the dinner were welcomed by Spreine. 2001 Officer of the Year Matt August led the Pledge of Allegiance. The “Star Spangled

Banner” was sung by Pat Warren, Adam Hemming and Bree Burgess, who

served as mistress of ceremonies. Mayor Toni Iseman was the guest

speaker.

The Exchange Club of Laguna Beach meets for lunch at 12:15 p.m.

the first three Thursdays of the month at Hotel Laguna. New members

are welcome. For more information, call Bill Kinsey at 760-4674 or

Freeman at 497-1861.