A baby girl might have died, if not for the quick action of Fullerton Police Cpl. Robert Kirk and Officer Hazel Rios.
They weren’t the only FPD officers who were heroic in 2012.
Cpl. Mike Bova saved the life of a woman who was trapped in a fiery car after a collision. And Cpls. Alan Valdiserri and Brandon Clyde were among the officers who did great police work, catching the alleged robbers of a jewelry store.
The anecdotes are among the highlights of the Police Department’s 2012 annual report, which was published earlier this month and is available to the public.
“The men and women who wear the badge every day fulfill their sworn mission to protect and serve the community with honor and professionalism,” said Chief Dan Hughes.
In a letter to employees with a copy of the report, Hughes wrote, “I am amazed at the many accomplishments of the men and women of this department and their commitment to this community.”
The department saw the promotion of two captains, George Crum and Lorraine Jones; enhanced efforts to use technology to predict, prevent and solve crime; expanded services for crime victims and the homeless and significant efforts to provide the public with more public information.
It was a busy year, no doubt. Dispatchers fielded more than 75,000 calls to 911, detectives made more than 500 narcotics arrests and traffic officers filed more than 1,500 auto accident reports.
Police employees got all this done while keeping crime at bay, despite losing officers to budget cuts.
The accomplishments also come against a backdrop of rising violence due to the early release of prisoners. And violence against police officers is also on the rise. In March, a Fullerton officer was shot at point-blank range during a traffic stop.
Fortunately, he was wearing a protective vest, which likely saved his life. The officer is recovering and upbeat, police officials say.
“(We are) very fortunate to have strong community support from residents, businesses and schools. We do not take this support for granted and have vowed to continuously look for new ways to foster trusting partnerships in order to improve public safety,” Hughes wrote in the annual report.
Want a copy? Email Sgt. Jeff Stuart at [email protected]
