Officers Honored at 37th Law Enforcement Dinner

The Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino was filled with community members and area law enforcement personnel last Thursday, May 30, as the community came together to celebrate local law officials during the 37th annual Law Enforcement Recognition Dinner hosted by the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce. The dinner each year commemorates the sacrifices made and the services provided to residents in the mission to keep San Bernardino’s streets, schools and freeways safe. “You choose to go out there and keep us safe, and that is why the Chamber chooses to host this dinner every year in May,” San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Judi Penman told the group of dozens of law enforcement officials last Thursday evening. An invocation was given by Major Steve Ball of the Salvation Army. Representatives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the San Bernardino Police Department and the San Bernardino Unified School District Police presented the colors. These were followed by the performance of the National Anthem, sung by 9-year-old Anthony Paul, a student at Mission Elementary School. San Bernardino City Mayor Pat Morris also said a few words to honor the services provided by the men and women in law enforcement, reading a segment from a piece titled “Police Officer’s Sacrifice.” “While you sleep, we’re there. When you’re sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, or celebrating Christmas, we’re there. When it’s raining and cold, and you’re glad to be in your home with your family, we’re out there. When it’s your children’s birthday, we’re out there. When it’s our children’s birthday, we’re still out there. While you’re asleep with your spouse, ours sleep alone,” Mayor Morris read. He ended by asking the audience to continue their support of law enforcement officials in their mission to keep the community safe. “So the next time you’re out with your family or friends, and you see a patrol car go by, remember the incredible sacrifice made by these officers every day. Inside that car is a person who sacrifices his or her life, both professionally and personally, every day,” Mayor Morris finished. Below and on the next page, the City News would like to highlight the twelve law enforcement officials from six law enforcement agencies working within the San Bernardino County. City of San Bernardino Police Department: Honorees of the evening included Officer Robert Bellamy, Detective Dennis Houser and Officer Chris Emon from the City of San Bernardino Police Department. Bellamy, a Minnesota native, is currently assigned to the Northeast District. Having provided instrumental evidence in high-profile cases, like the recent tragic murder of a 70-year-old woman, earned him recognition. Additionally, he works to resolve incidents involving drug-induced attacks as part of his daily routine. Houser has worked with the San Bernardino Police Department in 1988, where he has worked for the last 25 years. In his daily operations, he has helped solve armed robbery cases, kidnappings, car-jackings and apprehending the “Drive Thru Bandit,” who currently waits sentencing for multiple counts of armed robbery. Emon comes from a family involved extensively in law enforcement, including his father, brother, sister and wife. He has developed and trained more than 300 personnel in the police department’s paperless Automated Reports System, and has designed more than 15 forms instrumental to daily police functions. Emon has received over 30 awards for the recovery of stolen vehicles and is the recipient of the Life Saving Medal, for extinguishing a fire that engulfed a victim in flames. San Bernardino City Mayor Pat Morris presented Officer Bellamy of the San Bernardino City Police Department as one of three Officers of the Year. Bellamy was joined in the honor by Detective Al Huff of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and Officer Jeffrey Briggs of the California Highway Patrol. California Highway Patrol: From the California Highway Patrol, three law enforcement officials were recognized. These officials included Officer Jeffrey Moran, a former staff sergeant with the United States Army, has become an expert in gang activity and has used his expertise in convicting drug cartel members for crimes such as homicide. CHP Officer Jeffrey Briggs, an Iowa native who served eight years with the United States Marine Corps where he was a sergeant, has worked diligently to maintain relations with the media since joining the CHP in 1994, which have led to the arrest and conviction of two separate felony hit-and-run incidents in which victims were killed. Officer Adam Rodman with the CHP was also recognized that evening. A New York native, Rodman is a former member of the United States Army and currently works as an instructor in the Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response (LASER) program, an anti-gun violence terrorism initiative of the Homeland Security–Federal Emergency Management Agency. To conclude the evening, San Bernardino City Mayor Pat Morris presented Officer Jeffrey Briggs as one of three Officers of the Year. Briggs was joined in the honor by Detective Al Huff of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Officer Robert Bellamy of the San Bernardino City Police Department. SBCUSD Police, California State University Police and San Bernardino Community College District Police: Sergeant Robert Balderama with the California State University police department was also recognized that evening. In 1985, Balderama joined the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy assigned to the gang detail in the “SMASH” unit. He was then promoted to detective in Internal Affairs and then the homicide unit. In 2010, he joined the California State University Police where he raised the necessary funds to purchase equipment for the Active Shooter and Close Quarter Battle training programs. Officer Daniel Arias from the San Bernardino City Unified School District was also recognized. Sworn in as a police officer in 2010, Arias has trained extensively in active shooting incidents, undercover/surveillance, California Gangs and Mexican Mafia Prison Gangs. In the summer of 2012, Arias joined the SBCUSD department’s burglary suppression task force as an undercover officer, and he has helped make numerous felony arrests, has helped close computer shops and has been responsible for the recovery of up to $500,000 worth of school district property. Officer Jose Plasencia with the San Bernardino Community College District Police was recognized for his educating Emergency Medical Services students on the importance of on-scene safety interaction with law enforcement and the preservation of evidence. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department: Officials from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were also recognized that evening, including Deputy Jeremiah Cornett, who is assigned to the Sheriff’s Major Enforcement Team, and is responsible for networking with various other law enforcement agencies. He is a Certified Field Training Officer who trains deputies newly assigned to patrol functions. Detective Al Huff of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department was also recognized for his work with the Highland Police Department. Huff served in the United States Air Force Special Operation Command during Operation Desert Storm, and in 2012 he was awarded the Sheriff’s Medal for Lifesaving after entering a burning home twice to retrieve a child trapped inside. Detective Miguel Flores was the third from this department recognized for his service to the department through his teaching of basic homicide and officer-involved shooting and crime scene investigation modules. Flores is an active member of the California Narcotic Officers Association and the Inland Robbery–Homicide Investigators Association and a tenured member of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard. San Bernardino City Mayor Pat Morris presented Detective Huff as one of three Officers of the Year. Huff was joined by Officer Jeffrey Briggs of the California Highway Patrol and Officer Robert Bellamy of the San Bernardino City Police Department in the honor.