Photos: Del Norte law enforcement recognizes its own

Law Enforcement of Del Norte (LEADN) comprising ten separate agencies honored exemplary officers and staff for 2023 at last Thursday’s Annual Awards ceremony at the Cultural Center.

Friends and families of those recognized were on hand when LEADN president and Police Chief Richard Griffin welcomed the audience to this annual event.

The Pelican Bay CDCR Honor Guard presented the colors, Robin Altman sang the National Anthem, Mayor Blake Inscore delivered the invocation, Chief Griffin led the Pledge of Allegiance and Sheriff Garrett Scott asked for a solemn moment of silence before the presentations commenced.

• District Attorney Katie Micks presented an award of Special Recognition to DA Investigator A.C. Field

• Sheriff Scott honored Dispatcher of the year Emily Ruggles, Corrections Officer John Hayden, Corrections Technician James Sampier and delivered Special commendations to Fred Wagner, Undersheriff Devin Perry, Sgt. Sarah Asbury, Coroner’s Assistant Michelle Green, Special Investigator John Maxwell Sgt. LeAnn McClafin, Deputy Bill Steven, and Sgt. Gene McManus

• Sheriff Scott also honored Search and Rescue volunteers Theresa Rivas, Tahnee Scott, Kathy Williams, Melanie Day and John Gale for their exemplary efforts on the Smith River Complex fire.

• Pelican Bay State Prison Warden Steven Smith recognized and honored the PBSP Honor Guard, Sgt. Kyle Re, Lt. Jennifer Hurley, Lt. James Guess, Officer Andrera Calderon, Officer Andrew Labrada and the PBSP Peer Support Team, Lt. Jason Tripp, Sgt. Jair Ramos-Vallejo, Officer Ann Melendrez.

• Chief Probation Officer Lonnie Reyman presented awards to Re-entry Probation Officer Robert Arriola and Probation Officer of the Year Noah Chankin.

• Redwood National and State Parks honored Devin Hahn and Sean McCaffrey.

• The California Highway Patrol recognized 2023 CHP Officer of the Year Adam Sept.

• Chief Griffin announced CCPD awards to Officer of the Year Magnolia Valero. Detective Ethan Miller and Investigator Alex Pearson were also recognized

• The Chief honored and presented the Leading the Way award to IT Specialists Fritz Ludeman and Taylor Patch as well as City Manager Eric Wier, who was part of that team.