Several of the area’s unsung heroes are getting a big thank you
from a local community organization, including a Morgan Hill Police
officer.
Several of the area’s unsung heroes are getting a big thank you from a local community organization, including a Morgan Hill Police officer.
For the 18th consecutive year, the Gilroy Exchange Club will heap praise on South County law enforcement and emergency officials at the Blue and Gold Awards Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the I.F.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall, located at 250 Old Gilroy St.
Representatives from the Gilroy and Morgan Hill police departments, Gilroy Fire Department, the Santa Clara County Fire Department, CalFire and the California Highway Patrol are expected to be honored.
“Whenever we come in contact with police and firefighters it’s not usually under the best circumstances,” said Dion Bracco, Gilroy City Councilman and past club president. “We just want to honor them and show them we appreciate the job they do. They normally don’t get much thanks.”
Bracco said the awards are meant for those who have gone “above and beyond in the community.”
Those expected to be honored Wednesday are: Maribel Gutierrez of the Gilroy Police Department, Carlos Guerrero of the Morgan Hill Police Department, Steven Hayes of the Gilroy Fire Department, Jason Falarski of the Santa Clara County Fire Department, Darren McMillen of CalFire and Dakota Smith of the California Highway Patrol.
Event Co-Chair Vilma Pinheiro said the luncheon was a way for emergency officials and residents to reflect on the service that area first responders provide.
“It’s a win-win for everyone. They enjoy the event, and we enjoy holding it for them,” said Pinheiro, who has served as the luncheon’s co-chair for five years.
GPD community service officer Gutierrez has taught Drug Abuse Resistance Education, commonly known as D.AR.E., to Gilroy fifth graders for 10 years, according to the GPD. Because of budget cuts in 2008, Gutierrez became the department’s only D.A.R.E. instructor, forcing her to teach the program to roughly 800 local students alone.
Gutierrez has adapted her lesson plans to include Internet bullying and gang issues. She also participates in the department’s Neighborhood Watch and Crosswalk Safety programs.
Hayes, a GFD firefighter and paramedic, has served the department as a field training officer, teaching the fire department’s new paramedics. Hayes has also partnered with GPD Officer Mark Tarasco for the past several years for the Extreme Youth Event, which showcases local BMX and skateboarding talent.
Guerrero, who joined the Morgan Hill Police Department in 2009, has been active in his role as liaison detective for the department’s Community Resource Unit, attending monthly apartment manager meetings, conducting quarterly hotel manager visits and working closely with the Housing Authority of County of Santa Clara and state Alcohol Beverage Control officials. Guerrero also is being awarded for investigating foreclosure scams with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and creating the concept and guidelines for the department’s Crime Scene Response Team, according to the MHPD.
McMillen has been a CalFire employee for 18 years, most recently in the role of EMS Coordinator, where he has managed the basic life support and advanced life support programs for the South County fire district. He oversees CalFire’s county ambulance contract and first responder contract, according to CalFire.
Smith, a two-year officer with the CHP, has been deemed a “stand-out professional,” enforcing infractions such as passenger restraint, distracted driving, collisions, speeding and driving under the influence, according to the CHP. Smith also consistently submits the “highest quality accident reports” of any officer working the Hollister-Gilroy area, the CHP said.
A 20-year veteran, Santa Clara County Fire Capt. Jason Falarski is a founding member of the department’s Special Operations Task Force. Farlarski, currently assigned to the El Toro Station in Morgan Hill, serves as a safety officer, committee member and mentor providing training to his peers and coworkers, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
18th annual Blue and Gold Award Winners
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the I.F.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall, 250 Old Gilroy St.
Winners:
– Maribel Gutierrez, Gilroy Police Department
– Carlos Guerrero, Morgan Hill Police Department
– Steven Hayes of the Gilroy Fire Department
– Jason Falarski, Santa Clara County Fire Department
– Darren McMillen, CalFire
– Dakota Smith, California Highway Patrol
