Officers receive departmental awards

S.J. Cahn

Actions by officers who stormed a fire-filled home where they

believed an armed man awaited them earned four members of the Police

Department its highest honor Wednesday.

Sgt. Neil Harvey and Officers Kent Eischen, Kirk Jacobi and Mario

Montero were among the initial response to a high-profile attempted

murder, kidnapping and arson case at a Back Bay home in October. The

suspect in the case, Kevin Duane Carpenter, bound the woman living in

the home and her female assistant and hit them both on the head,

police said. Carpenter also lighted several fires throughout the

home, which eventually caused much of it to burn and collapse.

While the fires were burning, officers entered the house to search

for victims and the assailant. Harvey had to drag the woman to the

door as smoke dropped lower in the home. By the time the smoke was

inches from the floor, officers had to flee the house still uncertain

where the suspect might be.

An overnight search that ended at a Costa Mesa hotel led to

Carpenter’s arrest. He is set to stand trial in late April.

For their work, the foursome received the department’s Medal of

Valor award at the 33rd annual Police Appreciation Breakfast. Four

others who responded to the incident, Sgt. Bill Hartford and Officers

Dave Darling, Rick Henry and Damon Psaros, received the department’s

Award of Merit.

“I can’t reiterate what a wild day that was,” Hartford said. “This

crew did a tremendous job.”

Hartford, a 20-year member, also was named the department’s

Supervisor of the Year.

“He is an exceptional role model,” said Police Chief Bob McDonnel,

who was at his 11th awards breakfast, which is hosted by the Newport

Beach Chamber of Commerce. “He clearly leads by example.”

Three other members of the force, Sgt. Mark Everton and Officers

Joe Cartwright and Jeff Mundy, received Awards of Merit for their

handling of an incident in December during which they subdued a woman

in Dover Shores who was suspected of theft.

McDonnel said that had they not, the woman, who was carrying an

air rifle, could have ended up in a potentially fatal confrontation

with officers.

Two officers, Penny Varela and Ed Walsh, received Lifesaving

Awards.

The Volunteer of the Year was Marilyn Honsaker, who has dedicated

1,500 hours to the department and attended its first citizens’

academy.

“As a department, I know we have benefited from her services,”

McDonnel said.

After receiving her award, Honsaker turned her attention on her

fellow employees.

“The great thing about this is the people we work with,” she said.

“I’m so proud to be a part of this department.”

Reserve Officer of the Year went to Brad Dew, who worked 1,200

hours in 2003, or about 23 hours a week, on top of his regular

40-hour-a-week job.

Cindy Coleman, whom McDonnel called “a proven asset,” was named

Civilian of the Year. She was one of 11 nominated for the award.

“I feel truly blessed to come to work each day to a job I enjoy,”

she said.

The Officer of the Year award was given to Rick Bradley, who has

served in Newport Beach since January 1980.

“His plate is never too full that he doesn’t volunteer to take on

something additional,” McDonnel said, adding that as a detective

Bradley handles one of the city’s largest caseloads. “Without

question, [Bradley] sets the standard of quality.”

Bradley, who helps coordinate football games among police

departments from across the country, said dealing with officers from

throughout the United States has taught him an important lesson.

“I work with the finest, highest level, quality officers in this

country here in the city of Newport Beach,” he said.

Another highlight of the morning was a video presentation that

focused on “problem-oriented policing,” also known as “POP.” It

focused on department efforts to calm Fourth of July parties as well

as on one West Newport home that became notorious for its frequent

loud parties.

“The support we receive from this community is not lost on those

of us who serve in the department,” McDonnel said.