Kiwanians honor law officers of the year
Chuck Doud/The Madera Tribune
From left, Dennis Smith, Oakhurst California Highway Patrol Lt. C.S. Hinch and CHP Officer Kirk Arnold.
The Madera Kiwanis Club honored Madera and Madera County law enforcement Officers of the Year Thursday night at the Italo-American Club.
The honorees:
Senior Deputy Attorney David Peterson of the Madera County District Attorney’s Office — District Attorney David Linn praised Peterson as being a prosecutor he “depends on to take on tough cases” and get them right.
Deputy Sheriff Miguel Hernandez — Sheriff Jay Varney described Hernandez as “one of the finest officers” in the sheriff’s department.
Correctional Officer Andres Villanueva — Madera County Department of Corrections Director Manuel Perez praised Villanueva’s “excellent work” in handling tough situations within the jail.
Probation Officers Jose Macias and Tom Okano — Madera County Probation Department’s Sandra Mendez praised the work of both officers, neither of whom was able to attend the dinner honoring them.
California Highway Patrol Officers Brent Adams and Kirk Arnold — Both officers are long-time veterans of the Highway Patrol, Adams in Madera and Arnold in Oakhurst. Both received high praise for the quality and quantity of their work, Adams from Lt. Darren Long and Arnold from Lt. C.S. Hinch.
Madera Police Officer Richard Gonzalez and Dispatcher Marianne Crozan — Madera Police Chief Steve Frazier pointed out the “outstanding” work of Gonzalez, and dispatch supervisor Tanya Riviere praised Crozan for helping to save lives of both officers and citizens.
Chowchilla Police Officer Charlie Roberston — Chowchilla Police Chief David Riviere praised Robertson for his high productivity and good conduct as a police officer.
All the honorees received plaques from Kiwanis Club president Dennis Smith.
