Credit those who protect and serve

TONY DODERO

It was the third day after Christmas last, and Newport Beach Police

Chief Bob McDonell was on vacation, but he answered his cell phone

anyway.

On the other end of the line was the Washington Mutual at Fashion

Island bank manager, to whom McDonell had given his number to call in

case of a crisis.

This time, she just wanted some advice from the chief.

She said she suspected a man, who she learned had a criminal

record, was withdrawing money from his aging father’s account,

without the father’s knowledge or permission.

Then, while they were talking, the man came into the bank,

claiming to have power of attorney and wanting more money.

The chief dispatched his officers, two of whom confronted the man,

who then pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officers. They fired

at him on the spot.

He later died of his wounds.

The two officers who confronted the man, Scott Grecco and Darcy

Andelin, were honored Thursday morning with the Police Department’s

Medal of Valor.

“I never thought I’d do something like this,” Andelin said. “I’m

just thankful Scott was in there with me. I’m thankful we survived

and thankful that nobody in the bank got hurt.”

For Grecco, it was the second award he picked up that morning,

getting the Lifesaving Award for attempting to resuscitate a heart

attack victim.

McDonell, who’s now counting year No. 12 as the chief here, and 36

years in law enforcement, spent the better part of the morning

honoring 12 members of his civilian, volunteer and police officer

team at the 34th annual Police Appreciation Breakfast at the Sutton

Place Hotel.

The breakfast was hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce

and multiple sponsors. “We’re going through a time of change in this

city,” said McDonell, referring to the onslaught of retiring officers

and shortages in the ranks. “But it’s a time of opportunity also.”

He noted that even with the shortages, major crimes in Newport

Beach in 2004 dropped by 6.5% from the previous year, with an overall

decline in crime of more than 8%.

“There is less crime today in Newport Beach than there was in

1990,” he said.

McDonell, who personally chooses the honorees, gave out the Award

of Merit to Officer Dave Hartman, for his actions during a jewelry

store heist; Officer Lloyd Whisenant and police volunteer Sandy

Meadows for their work in raising money to buy defibrillator machines

and train the department how to use them; and Capt. Tim Riley for

leading the department into the new world of technology.

Riley is no longer with department, retiring last year. He now

works for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Also honored were Officer Bob Foss as Officer of the Year, Sgt.

Dave Byington as Supervisor of the Year, Andi Querry as Civilian of

the Year, Steve Schogel as Reserve Officer of the Year and Wendy

Abbot as Volunteer of the Year.

There were too many dignitaries at the breakfast to name, but

let’s just say there were some 500 police supporters who braved the

morning fog to honor these folks.

Chamber leader Philip Bettencourt, who gave the morning

introductions, summed up the community’s feeling best.

“We want you to know,” he told the police honorees. “When it comes

to keeping drugs out of the schools, when it comes to keeping thugs

off the streets ... this community is standing by your side.”

* TONY DODERO is the editor. He may be reached at (714) 966-4608

or by e-mail at tony.dodero @latimes.com.