THOSE PARTICIPATING INCLUDED:

Special Agent Stowell 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 organization.

Special Agent Stowell then introduced and thanked the Orange County Auto Theft Advisory Committee members who put together the awards presentation; Mr. Dan Brogdan, Ms. Martha Jones Joseph, and Ms. Geraldine Gary of the Automobile Club of Southern California; Ms. Diana Rummel, the former director of the Crime Prevention Program of Southern California and Mr. Earl Gunnerson, the current director of the Crime Prevention Program of Southern California; Investigator Bud Hood of the Orange County Sheriffs Department/OCATT; Investigator Gary Labb of the Santa Ana Police Department/OCATT; and Lieutenant Rick Pena of the California Highway Patrol/OCATT.

Special Agent Stowell then thanked the sponsors of this year's awards presentation, the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association, President Clay James; Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Security Manager Bill Harris; and Toyota Financial Services, Mr. Anthony Ko and Mr. Bart Fleweling.

Special Agent Stowell spoke about the changes that took place in this year's selection process.  Special Agent Stowell 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. 

Special Agent Stowell  then introduced the Master of Ceremonies Pat Haslam.  Agent Stowell presented Mr. Haslam with a plaque to both commemorate and thank Mr. Haslam for being the voice of Orange County ATAC for the past 15 years.  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, Automobile Club of Southern California CEO and President Thomas V. McKernan.  Mr. Haslam presented Mr. McKernan with a plaque to commemorate the Automobile Club of Southern California's continuous participation and sponsorship of the Orange County ATAC Awards for the past 15 years.

Pat Haslam then announced the winners as Special Agent Stowell and Assemblyman Todd Spitzer handed out the numerous award plaques and recognition certificates to each of the winners.

Orange County Automobile Dealers Association Manager Joette Lyon was then called to the stage to make a presentation to the top five officers recognized during the awards presentation.  Mr. Haslam presented Ms. Lyon with a plaque to commemorate and thank the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association for their generous support of the Orange County ATAC Awards over the past years.
 

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, 80 vehicles, including 20 "rolling stolens," resulting in 26 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $489,222.00.  Officer Carney was also the winner of the 2003 ATAC Officer of the Year Award.  Officer Carney was presented with a check for his designated charity, the Buena Park Police Activity League, by Joette Lyon, Manager 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, 57 vehicles, including 11 "rolling stolens," resulting in 16 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $176,500.00.  Officer Garcia was also the runner-up in the 2003 ATAC Officer of the Year Awards.  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, 34 vehicles, including 5 "rolling stolens," resulting in 6 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $231,000.00.  Officer Lillemoen was also the Officer with the third most recoveries in the 2003 and 2002 ATAC Officer of the Year Awards.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Lillemoen's designated charity, the American Diabetes Association.

Officer Larry Fettis of the Costa Mesa Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fourth most stolen vehicles in the county, 14 vehicles, including 7 "rolling stolens," resulting in 10 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $110,000.00.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Fettis' designated charity, the Boys and Girls Club of Costa Mesa.

Officer Gerardo Zuniga of the Tustin Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fifth most stolen vehicles in the county, 10 vehicles, including 7 "rolling stolen," resulting in 10 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $80,000.00.   The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Zuniga's designated charity, the Tustin Family Youth Center.

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.