Costa Mesa Police, Fire honor their own

Deepa Bharath

Sgt. Marty Carver recalled a day in his childhood when his mom caught

him stealing a roll of pop caps from the store and took him to task

for it.

Officer Derek Trusk laughed at how he caught a thief driving a

stolen recreational vehicle in the middle of the night.

Officer Tony Yannizzi described his love for the department he has

served for eight years.

Officer Larry Fettis took pride in his knowledge of the city’s

streets.

Officer Jeffrey Graham talked about the day he saved the life of a

3-day-old infant, and Carver choked up as he spoke of a fellow

officer being diagnosed with cancer.

Several awards were handed out Friday afternoon to Costa Mesa’s

police and fire officials at the 44th annual Public Safety Awards

Luncheon. But what several community members saw Friday was a side of

their officers that doesn’t surface when they’re patrolling city

streets.

The event, sponsored by the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, was

punctuated with gregarious laughter, pregnant pauses and silent tears

as officers surprised the audience with a touching display of their

emotional, human side.

Former Police Chief David Snowden presented the awards to police

officers after new Chief John Hensley requested him to do so. Hensley

said he would like to see more officers attend such events.

“If they can be here, they should be here,” he said. “And they

should be here in uniform. It’s a great opportunity for them to

network and meet with the community.”

Hensley said award functions are always heart warming.

“The officers today will walk away from here encouraged and

refreshed,” he said.

Fire Chief Jim Ellis made the presentations for winners from his

department.

“I’m proud of every member of my department,” he said.

Ellis said he hopes to continue partnering with the Police

Department on investigations and other assignments, something that

was accomplished during Snowden’s time as chief.

Kirk Dominic, awarded Fire Officer of the Year, could not attend

because he is a major in the U.S. Army and was deployed during

wartime. He is still serving in Texas. Also, Doug Wilson, who was

awarded Firefighter of the Year, could not receive his award because

he is in the hospital recovering from a surgery.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.