Congressman Honors Solano County Public Safety Heroes Of Year

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — A Vallejo police corporal and an emergency medical technician with Medic Ambulance were among those named Sunday as U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson's public safety heroes of the year.

Each year, the Democrat congressman from Napa honors one local law enforcement officer and one local first responder from each county in his district who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. In Solano County, the honors for 2019 went to Vallejo police Cpl. Ritzie Tolentino and Daniela Flores, an EMT with Medic Ambulance in Vallejo.

"In our district and across our state, this year has been a challenging one for our law enforcement and first responders," Thompson said. "From devastating fires to tragic incidents, our men and women have responded to countless incidents, putting their life on the line to keep us safe. That’s why I am again humbled to present my annual Public Safety Hero award to our local champions and honor the courageous service they preform day in and day out. It is a distinct honor to represent so many dedicated and heroic public servants."

Thompson said he chose to honor Cpl. Tolentino based on his actions taken while dealing with a reportedly suicidal person on the Redwood Street overpass last summer. Tolentino worked to develop a rapport with the individual, keeping a calm demeanor throughout the incident, the congressman said.

"His patience was key in getting the individual to change course and decide to receive treatment with the county Mental Health Services," Thompson said.

The congressman said Flores was chosen for the honor because in her service as an EMT, she has been a part of many teams responding to fires across the region, from Napa to Lake and Butte counties. She has helped evacuate hospitals, homes and nursing facilities, and has received the highest praise from her strike team leaders, Thompson said.

"Both are true professionals, maintaining calm under immense pressure and ensuring the safety of so many across our community," Thompson said of Tolentino and Flores. "They are true heroes and it is my honor to join them in bettering the lives of people across our county."

In addition to the 10 honorees from each of the counties Thompson represents, the congressman honored celebrity chef and entrepreneur Guy Fieri with a special public safety hero award in honor of his work to provide meals and support during the recent wildfires.

"Guy is a hometown hero — both for his support of our economy in starting businesses right in the heart of our district and for his humanitarian work to provide food to first responders and fire survivors," said Thompson. "Fieri’s work has been exceptional and instrumental to helping our local public servants and facilitating evacuations during our community’s many recent fires. It’s my honor to recognize his work today."

Here is the full list of Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the Fifth Congressional District:

• Corporal Ryan Baille, Martinez Police Department
• Paramedic Fire Captain Dave Woods, Contra Costa Fire Protection District
• Elona Porter, Evidence Technician Supervisor and Lead Crime Scene Investigator for Lake County Sheriff’s Department
• Fire Captain Richard Lawler, CalFire Clearlake Oaks Fire Station
• Deputy Steven Lombardi, Napa County Sheriff’s Department
• Captain Steve Becker, Napa Fire Department
• Corporal Ritzie Tolentino, Vallejo Police Department
• Daniela Flores, Solano EMT and Medic Ambulance
• Cristina Montoya, Cotati Police Dispatcher and Clerk
• Captain Don Ricci, Santa Rosa Fire Department
• Guy Fieri, Celebrity Chef and local second responder

Photos courtesy U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson's Office