Eureka Police
Department
Date: February 19, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
During the February 18, 2014 Eureka City Council meeting, eight
members of the Eureka Volunteer Patrol
(EVP) became the fourth recipients of the Eureka Police Department’s
Valor-Service Challenge Coin Award.
Speaking before the council, Chief Andrew
Mills and the EVP commander, Acting Captain Len Johnson,
awarded each EVP member a coin along with a letter of appreciation in
recognition of their dedicated service to the City of Eureka. These eight
members alone have logged over 30,000 volunteer hours as a group and the
program has give more than 50,000 hours to the community.
The contents of the award letter follows:
“To the Members of our Volunteer Patrol:
It
is the mission of the Eureka Police Department to safeguard lives and property
and enhance the quality of life in our City through our commitment to
exceptional service, strong community partnerships, and the highest standards
of integrity, courage, and professional excellence. EPD is committed to
promoting community policing concepts and positive relations with the public we
serve. We further this purpose by
acknowledging valued citizens and groups, who commit acts of extraordinary
kindness, unselfishly give of themselves to help others, or perform other good
deeds that go above and beyond the normal courtesies society expects.
To
this end, EPD commissioned the minting of a special “challenge coin” to be
awarded to deserving individuals who give of themselves in an exceptional
manner. This unique full-color coin
represents the Eureka Police Department’s cherished values of VALOR, SERVICE, and COMMUNITY
and may be carried proudly. These values
are printed on the coin’s face surrounding the Great Seal of the State of California . The reverse
side of the coin depicts the emblem found on the Eureka Police Department
patch.
Through their dedicated labors over the years, members of
the Eureka Volunteer Patrol (EVP) have truly exemplified the meaning of
“service” and “community.” EPD, like
many departments, frequently finds itself faced with a shortage of resources to
tackle substantive problems. Thus, we often look to other sources for help. Our
EVP members have given countless, uncompensated hours in assisting the Eureka
Police Department with emergency call-outs, special events, vacation home checks,
and neighborhood patrols. EVP is often called upon to assist with perimeter
security and traffic control at major crime scenes, critical incidents, and special
events.
One example
of this was EVP’s invaluable support following the tragic murder of Father Eric
Freed on January 1st of this year.
Shortly after the crime was discovered, EVP’s help was requested to
assist with perimeter and crime scene security at Saint Bernard Catholic
Parish. Three members of EVP immediately
put their personal lives on hold and responded to the scene with several other
members rotating in throughout the day and night. The presence of EVP at the scene allowed more
of our sworn officers to focus on investigating and ultimately swiftly solving
this senseless crime. As a group,
members of EVP put in a total of 42 hours at the initial crime scene along with
another 6 hours during the subsequent vigils that were held for Father
Freed.
The current members of the Eureka Volunteer Patrol include:
·
Bob Gish
(an 18 ½ year member)
·
Jack Hopkins
(an 18 ½ year member)
·
Terry Long
(an 18 ½ year member)
·
Roger
Miller (an 18 ½ year member)
·
Gary Swanson
(a 16 year member)
·
Dick Storre
(a 13 year member)
·
Pete Vallerga
(an 11 year member)
·
Gil Long
(a 6 year member)
These 8 members alone have logged over 30,000 volunteer
hours as a group.
On behalf of the Eureka Police Department, it is my pleasure
to honor and recognize the Eureka Volunteer Patrol for their selfless and
dedicated service over the past many years.
EVP plays an on-going, vital role in the Eureka Police Department’s
endeavor to provide excellent service to our community. They are truly our “unsung heroes.” Please accept with this coin and certificate our
recognition and appreciation.”
Eureka Police continue to look for and accept applications
for volunteerism in Eureka. Come
make a difference with EPD!
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