THOSE PARTICIPATING INCLUDED:

Lieutenant Pena then explained that ATAC was now a subcommittee of the Western States Auto Theft Investigators (WSATI) Association, allowing ATAC to provide donors with the benefits of a tax free organziation.

Lieutenant Pena spoke about the changes that took place in this year's selection process.  Lieutenant Pena said that significant pro-active contributions by officers to reduce auto theft, combined with a higher emphasis on "rolling stolens" were the elements of the criteria to be considered. 

Lieutenant Pena then introduced the Master of Ceremonies Pat Haslam.  Mr. Haslam gave an opening address and then welcomed everyone to avail themselves of the breakfast buffet.

After the buffet, Pat Haslam then introduced the guest speaker, California Highway Patrol Border Division Chief Skip Carter.

Pat Haslam then announced the winners as Lieutenant Pena and Enterprise Rent-A-Car Security Manager Bill Harris handed out the numerous award plaques and recognition certificates to each of the winners.

The Top Five Honorees were:

Officer Tom Carney of the Buena Park Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the most stolen vehicles throughout the entire county, 61 vehicles, including 10 "rolling stolens," resulting in 19 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $344,019.00.  Officer Carney was the runner up in the 2002 ATAC Officer of the Year Awards Presentation.  Officer Carney was presented with a check for his designated charity, the Buena Park Police Activity League, by John Sackrison, Director of the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association. 

Officer Jim Garcia of the Santa Ana Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the second most stolen vehicles in the county, 46 vehicles, including 10 "rolling stolens," resulting in 21 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $150,500.00.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Garcia's designated charity, the Orange County Bar Foundation.

Officer Mark Lillemoen of the Anaheim Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the third most stolen vehicles in the county, 33 vehicles, including 9 "rolling stolens," resulting in 15 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $150,480.00.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Lillemoen's designated charity, the American Diabetes Association.

Sergeant Travis Whitman of the Garden Grove Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fourth most stolen vehicles in the county, 8 vehicles, including 6 "rolling stolens," resulting in 11 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $36,000.00.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Sergeant Whitman's designated charity, the Ronald McDonald House.

Officer Daniel McCarthy of the Westminster Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fifth most stolen vehicles in the county, 24 vehicles, including 1 "rolling stolen," resulting in 2 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $109,440.00.   The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer McCarthy's designated charity, the Children's Hospital of Orange County.

Special thanks to the following organizations for participating and sponsoring the Orange County Auto Theft Advisory Committee (A.T.A.C.) and its Officer of the Year Program; as well as a thank you to the Santa Ana Elks Lodge for their hospitality over the past fourteen years.