CVPD 31st Annual Heroes Ceremony

On Thursday, May 4th, 2023, at 11:30 A.M., the Chula Vista Police Department held a ceremony to honor the officers and members of the community who performed above and beyond in 2022. Their stories are compelling and often go untold. This ceremony helps tell the story of the daily efforts our men and women make to serve others and of the exceptional efforts made by members of the community for the greater good.

FEATURED STORIES: Community Service Officer Prado (Life Saving Award)

On January 18th, 2023, Community Service Officer (CSO) Camilo Prado began his workday like any other day. He put on his uniform, loaded his work car, and headed out the police department garage. As he exited, however, he noticed a woman lying in the middle of the street. Something was terribly wrong and CSO Prado knew it. He immediately jumped into action, getting out of his car and running to the woman’s aid. It was then that he realized she had been run over. She wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. He thought she was dead.

None the less, CSO Prado kept his composure and reverted to his training. He notified dispatch and started CPR, knowing he had to try and do something while more advanced medical equipment was on its way. Medics arrived soon thereafter and took over life saving measures. The woman was ultimately revived and transported to the hospital.

This community member might not have lived if it wasn’t for CSO Prado’s swift and immediate intervention. He’s a true hero and lifesaver. The Chula Vista Police Department commends him for his remarkable efforts and exceptional service to the community.

Agent Briley Ochs (Life Saving Award)

On February 6th, 2022, officers responded to multiple calls of a fight and shooting at a local bar. With the aid of “Live911”, allowing officers to hear emergency calls in near real-time, the responding patrol units knew to expect a chaotic scene with a large crowd and possible injuries.

Agent Briley Ochs was one of the first to arrive. With people and vehicles fleeing around them, she and other officers made their way to the cries for help near the bar entrance. It was there that they found a man who had been shot. He was on his knees, covered in blood, and pleading for help. While other officers continued securing the still dangerous and rapidly evolving scene, Agent Ochs leaped into lifesaving mode, rendering aid to the gunshot victim. She assessed his injuries, updated other first responders, and requested immediate emergency medical aid. With the help of her partners, Agent Ochs applied a tourniquet to the man’s injured arm, just before he lost consciousness. Paramedics were able to enter the scene a short time later and transport the man to the hospital. It turned out several of his arteries had been completely severed during the incident. Despite that as well as several cuts on his face and arm, the man survived.

Medical personnel credit Agent Ochs’ and her partners’ use and placement of the tourniquet for saving the man’s life. In heading straight into the danger of this chaotic situation to help an injured person, they displayed heroism, empathy, professionalism, and teamwork. The department recognizes Agent Ochs’ correct assessment as to the severity of the emergency and her decisive actions as making all the difference in the outcome for this community member. She is a true lifesaver. The Chula Vista Police Department commends Agent Ochs on her remarkable efforts and exceptional service to the community.

This incident is just one example of the chaotic and sometimes life-and-death situations officers face daily. Since they can’t predict what they will come across, they use technology like Live911 to gain helpful insight prior to arriving on scenes and carry tools like tourniquets to save the lives of community members and fellow officers when needed.

Jeremy Magno (Citizen Exceptional Service Award)

In December of 2022, at the height of the holiday shopping season, Community Member Jeremy Magno was busy delivering packages for Amazon. While working his way through a Chula Vista neighborhood, he was suddenly waved down by a woman who had just exited her vehicle yelling for help. Jeremy simultaneously noticed a man running from the same car carrying a purse. What Jeremy didn’t know was that the woman was a Lyft rideshare driver. She had just completed a ride, when her passenger violently grabbed her by her neck and began choking her. The woman was able to remove her seatbelt and get out of the car to yell for help, while the male passenger took her purse and ran.

Without knowing the details, Jeremy realized the woman had just been robbed. He didn’t hesitate. He got out of his car and ran after the thief. When the man realized Jeremy was going after him, he dropped the purse and hurried to get away. Although Jeremy didn’t catch up, he was able to get the terrified victim her purse back.

Jeremy’s heroism didn’t end there. Detectives conducted a thorough investigation and later worked with Jeremy to identify the suspect. The case has been submitted to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for review all thanks to Jeremy Magno. The Chula Vista Police Department will be recognizing Jeremy at the ceremony for his incredible bravery and for putting others before himself.

Officer Joshua Symonette and Agent Henry Ingram (The North San Diego Business Chamber Hero Award)

On July 8th, 2022 the City of Chula Vista hosted its inaugural “Block Party” event featuring live music, multiple vendors, a low rider car show and other entertainment. An estimated 40,000 people attended the event, which was held in a two-block downtown area along Third Avenue. Prior to the event, tension was high, following major tragedies, including the horrific Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas on May 24th and a deadly parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois in which a gunman shot into a crowd from a rooftop, killing several people.

At the time, Officer Symonette and Agent Ingram were both officers in the Department’s Street Team and Gang Suppression Unit. They were both already recognized around the Department as highly proactive officers with incredible instincts. They volunteered to work the event to assist with security and safety of the attendees. While partnered up on foot patrol at the event, the officers spotted a man carrying a cross-body bag acting suspiciously, walking in and out of businesses. They recognized the individual, who had been seen on social media flaunting firearms.

From their investigative experiences working their specialized assignment they believed it possible the man was carrying a weapon in the bag during the Block Party. The duo contacted the man and were able to detain him, discovering that he was indeed armed with a concealed firearm. The firearm turned out to be a homemade ghost gun. It was an unregistered and unserialized 9mm pistol, and even had an extended 30-round magazine. The weapon was classified as an assault weapon. Although the suspect’s intentions were not known, his firearm was fully loaded with a round in the chamber.

The man was booked into County Jail on 6 felonies, while the event went on safely, with most of the crowd unaware of the safety measures put in place until they saw news of the arrest the following day. The man’s motive may remain unknown but what is clear about that night is Officer Symonette and Agent Ingram were steadfast and vigilant as they searched for dangers to keep the community and block party attendees safe. The Chula Vista Police Department will recognize the bravery and professionalism of these two heroes as they are presented with this award at the ceremony.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE AWARDS AND RECIPIENTS:

MADD/DUI Award – Officer Ryan Culver

Proactive Narcotics Officer Award (Top 3) – Officer James O’Mahony, Officer Donald Truong, Agent Alex Bates, Agent Nate Hicks

MADD/DUI Award – Officer Ryan Culver, Officer James O’Mahony

Joshua Cox DUI Award – Officer James O’Mahony

Field Training Officer of the Year – Officer Taylor Cate

Cadet of the Year – Luis Zepeda

Senior Volunteer of the Year – Sandy Soto

Auto Theft Advisory Committee Award – “10851” Officer of the Year – Officer Daniel Hernandez

10851 Awards (Auto Theft) – Officer Cayleen McGraw, Officer Alec Adkins, Officer Desiree Dull, Officer Cody O’Riley, Officer Tanner Winslow, Officer Donald Truong, Officer Daniel Santana, Officer Daniel Hernandez

Department Exceptional Service – Agent Jesse Vicente, Sergeant LeVar Brown, Community Service Officer Sarah Camacho

SD POA Officer of the Year – Officer Jeffrey Laine

Dispatcher of the Year – Dispatcher Teri Cheatham

Civilian Employee of the Year – Public Information Specialist Caitlin Clark

SRO of the Year – Kiwanis Club – Officer Cameron Isaaks

Crime Stoppers “Enough is Enough” – Officer Joshua Symonette

Citizen Exceptional Service – Sr. Management Analyst Angelica Davis, Jeremy Magno (community member)

Rotary Award – Agent Samson Leonard

Scottish Rite Award – Agent Pricilla Graton

VFW Officer of the Year

Agent Joseph De Veaux

Agent Briley Ochs, Community Service Officer Camilo Prado

Lifesaving Award

Hero Award – Officer Joshua Symonette, Agent Henry Ingram