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COMMITTEE (A.T.A.C.) ORANGE COUNTY VEHICLE THEFT 2002 OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARDS PRESENTATION BRUNCH |
Sponsored by the Orange County Auto Theft Advisory
Committee (A.T.A.C.), a partnership between law enforcement, insurance,
and other auto related companies to reduce auto theft.
Friday, June 6th, 2003 - Santa Ana Elks Lodge Crystal Ballroom THOSE PARTICIPATING INCLUDED: |
Pledge of Allegiance: | Sergeant Rich Henry, CHP Border Division ISU |
Invocation: | Pastor Steve Purdue, Coastland Foursquare Church |
Introduction | Bill Harris, Enterprise Rent-A-Car |
Master of Ceremonies: | Mr. Pat Haslam, KNX News Radio |
Guest Speaker: | Chief Kenneth Small, Huntington Beach Police |
Presentation of Awards: | Lieutenant Lisa Wrobel, CHP / Border Division ISU |
Bill deGuzman, Allstate Insurance (Retired) | |
Special Presentation: | John Sackrison,
Orange County Automobile Dealers Association |
Outgoing ATAC Chairperson CHP / Border Division ISU Lieutenant Lisa Wrobel introduced CHP Sergeant Richard Henry who led the "uncensored" version of the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by Huntington Beach Police Chaplain Steve Purdue presenting the invocation. Lieutenant Wrobel then introduced the newly elected President of ATAC, Bill Harris of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Security. Bill introduced the new ATAC Board, Vice President Maggie Mitchell from the CHP Border Division Investigative Services Unit, Secretary Carol VanNatter from the Automobile Club of Southern California Special Investigations Unit, and treasurer Bill deGuzman a retiree from Allstate Insurance Special Investigations Unit. Bill spoke about changes that will be taking place in the next year. He said that the Auto Theft Advisory Committee would be taking a new direction in the selection process of the Recovery Officer of the Year. Bill said that significant pro-active contributions by officers to reduce auto theft, combined with a higher emphasis on "rolling stolens" will be the elements of the criteria to be considered. Bill also said that he was looking forward to other changes in the Auto Theft Advisory Committee which will aid efforts to increase public awareness of vehicle theft. Bill 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, Huntington Beach Police Chief Kenneth Small. Pat Haslam then announced the winners as Lieutenant Wrobel and former AllState Insurance Special Investigations Unit Investigator Bill deGuzman handed out the numerous award plaques and recognition certificates to each of the winners. |
ORANGE COUNTY 2002 OFFICER OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS:
Anaheim Police Department | Officer Mark Lillemoen |
Brea Police Department | Officer Chris Harvey |
Buena Park Police Department | Officer Tom Carney |
CHP - Capistrano Area | Officer Jason Penner |
CHP - Santa Ana Area | Officer Janelle Zaspal |
CHP - Westminster Area | Officer Marco Degennaro |
Costa Mesa Police Department | Officer Derek Trusk |
Cypress Police Department | No Nominee |
Fullerton Police Department | Senior Officer Gary Potts |
Garden Grove Police Department | Officer Kory Ferrin |
Huntington Beach Police Department | Officer Steven Wickser |
Irvine Police Department | Officer Kevin Von Luft |
Laguna Beach Police Department | Officer Greg Hiler |
La Habra Police Department | Officer Joel Aragon |
La Palma Police Department | Officer Jose Guerrero |
Los Alamitos Police Department | Corporal Maria O'Connell |
Newport Beach Police Department | Officer William Beverly |
Orange County Sheriffs - North | Deputy Robert Lopez |
Orange County Sheriffs - South | Deputy Aubrey Carroll |
Orange County Sheriffs - West | Deputy Jeffrey Newberry |
Orange Police Department | Officer David Garcia |
Placentia Police Department | Officer Brian Perry |
Santa Ana Police Department | Officer James Geist |
Seal Beach Police Department | Officer Al Cabrerra |
Tustin Police Department | Officer Luis Garcia |
Westminster Police Department | Officer William Eifert |
Each of the Officers and Deputies listed above were
honored for recovering the most stolen vehicles at their agencies during
2002. Combined, these officers recovered 289
vehicles in 2002, valued at over $1,783,560.00
and arrested 100 people.
The Top Five Honorees were: Officer James Geist of the Santa Ana Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the most stolen vehicles throughout the entire county, 58 vehicles, including 14 "rolling stolens," resulting in 19 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $213,500.00. Officer Geist has remained in one of the top two positions overall for vehicle recoveries for the past five years. In that time he has made 76 auto theft related arrests and recovered a total of 159 vehicles valued at $1,009,616.00. Officer Geist was presented with a check for his designated charity, the Arthritis Foundation, from the Auto Theft Advisory Committee. Additionally John Sackrison, Executive Director of the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented the top five officers a donation check to their designated charity. Officer James Geist chose the Arthritis Foundation. Officer Tom Carney of the Buena Park Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the second most stolen vehicles in the county. The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Carney's designated charity, the Boys and Girls Club of Buena Park. Officer Mark Lillemoen of the Anaheim Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the third most stolen vehicles in the county. The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Lillemoen's designated charity, the American Diabetes Association. Officer Kory Ferrin of the Garden Grove Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fourth most stolen vehicles in the county. The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Ferrin's designated charity, the National Parkinson Foundation. Officer William Eifert of the Westminster Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fifth most stolen vehicles in the county. The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Eifert's designated charity, the American Cancer Society. Special thanks to the following organizations for participating and sponsor- ing 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 twelve years. |
Allstate Insurance Company | Automobile Club of Southern California |
California Highway Patrol | Enterprise Rent-A-Car |
Huntington Beach Police Department | Richard O. Knapp and Associates |
Orange Co Automobile Dealers Assn | Orange County Auto Theft Investigators |
Orange County Auto Theft Task Force | Orange County Sheriffs Department |
Santa Ana Police Department | Western States Auto Theft Investigators |