Seal Beach to Honor Its Heroes

They save lives. Now community leaders are asking you to save ‘em a lunch date.

Locals will honor community lifeguards, police officers and firefighters at a Public Safety Recognition Luncheon in Seal Beach May 21.The lunch will run 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Old Ranch Country Club at 3901 Lampson Avenue. Several of the police and fire officials, who helped the victims of Salon Meritage and arrested the alleged shooter, will be honored for their work.

According to officials, the cost to attend is $40, and the event is expected to sell out.

Honorees include

• Cpl. Michael Henderson of the Seal Beach Police Department, who will receive the Officer of the Year award.
• Lead Community Services Officer Michael McDonald, who will be named the Professional Employee of the Year.
• Detective Sergeant Joe Miller and Officer Joe Garcia, who will both receive the Seal Beach Police Medal of Courage, the department’s second highest honor. 
• Many of the officers who responded to the Salon Meritage shooting, who will accept the department’s Medal of Merit.
• A number of police officers, who will receive awards for lifesaving in honor of their actions in extending the lives of people in grave situations in the community.
• Karl Myers, who will be honored as the Volunteer of the Year for his contribution to the Volunteers in Policing Program.
• Mike Maronta and Rick Shab — volunteers with the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services — and Shelley Drisko — a member of the Community Emergency Response Team — will each receive special recognition from the Chief of Police.
• Vincent Fiamengo, who will receive Tower Lifeguard of the Year
• Darren Sandvig, who will receive Unit Lifeguard of the Year
• Steven Tennett, who will receive Junior (Life) Guard of the Year
• Paramedics Scott Belshe and Austin Brawner, and Jake Gilbert of the Orange County Fire Authority will receive a special Chief’s Commendation.
• OCFA Engineer Ed Hooper (Ret.) and Captain Alan Ladd, who will be honored for their work on the day of the Salon Meritage shooting.

Talk radio personality and former Seal Beach resident, Tim Conway Jr., will serve as the master of ceremonies. Conway hosts a radio show on KFI 640 AM weeknights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

To rsvp call Amanda Webber at 562-799-4100 ext. 1129 or at awebber@sealbeachca.gov

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