Local Deputy Receives National Police Honor

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — One of the best law enforcement officers in the country is in the East Bay, according to the US Justice Department. Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Hassna is one of just 19 officers and deputies chosen for the Attorney General’s Award For Distinguished Service In Policing.

The recipients of the Third Annual awards were announced Tuesday by the Justice Department and Attorney General William P. Barr.

Richard Hassna was chosen for his innovative use of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), or drones, for public safety operations around the United States. According to a written release from the Justice Department, "Deputy Hassna has personally assisted hundreds of public safety agencies around the nation with establishing their own sUAS programs to provide close-air support to public safety agencies in dangerous situations. Deputy Hassna participated in the development of a general order, operations manual, and maintenance program, some of which are being used by agencies throughout the nation."

The Justice Department also praised Hassna for assisting in operations with last year's Camp Fire that left 85 people dead. "Through Deputy Hassna’s leadership," the release said, "more than 16 unmanned aerial vehicle teams conducted 517 flights in two days and took more than 70,000 images, which were later stitched into a map that allowed residents to see the damage to their property without being exposed to danger. This response was likely the largest response of small unmanned aerial vehicles to a disaster scene in U.S. history."

The Justice Department received nominations for 414 individuals for this year's award. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in community policing.

“Honoring and supporting the work of law enforcement officers and deputies is a top priority for the Trump Administration, and today is an opportunity for me to personally express my gratitude and commitment to those who risk their lives daily to protect our communities,” said Attorney General Barr. “The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing honors exceptional police officers and the vital public service they provide. The brave men and women in law enforcement are engaged in an unrelenting and often unacknowledged fight to keep our communities safe each and every day. It is an honor to thank them for their service.”

Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Hassna is the only law officer in California to be chosen for this year's award. Here is the complete list:

FIELD OPERATIONS

• Deputy Richard Hassna of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, California
• Officers Evan Jurgensen, Nicholas Kelly, Rachel Mynier, and John Yenchak of the Prince William County Police Department, Virginia
• Deputy Ross Jessop of the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, Montana
• Officers Aaron Bates and Alexander Stotik of the Cohasset Police Department, Massachusetts

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

• Detective William Maldonado of the Suffolk County Police Department, New York
• Detectives George Duarte and Jeffrey Richards of the Providence Police Department, Rhode Island
• Detectives Sandra Marquez and Kenneth Sealy of the Aventura Police Department, Florida

INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY POLICING

• Officer Phalon McFate of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada
• Officer Jesse Guardiola of the Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma
• Detective Anthony Roberson of the Providence Police Department, Rhode Island
• Officer Jonathan Plunkett of the Irving Police Department, Texas
• Detective Kathleen Lucero of the Isleta Tribal Police Department, New Mexico
• Officer Troy Quick of the Conyers Police Department, Georgia