Glendora PD Honors Its Own in Awards Ceremony

held an awards ceremony recently to honor those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

The department gathered in the Bidwell Forum May 16 and awarded nearly 20 officers highlighting the many accomplishments they performed over the past year. The ceremony was held in conjunction with National Police Week ceremonies, honoring those that have served in law enforcement and made the ultimate sacrifice, according to a press release issued by the Glendora Police Department.

Corporal Chris Stabio, who received the Officer of the Year recognition, was also awarded the department's Medal Of Valor for stopping the who robbed the in May of 2011 and fled into the and opened fire on the officer. Stabio returned fire and took the suspect down. No one else was injured in the shootout.

Also honored was officer Matt Fenner with the Medal of Merit for coming to the aid of a 67-year-old Glendora resident being by two Pit Bull dogs in the 1400 block of South Sunflower Avenue the morning of October 10, 2011. Fenner happened to drive up on the attack, struck one dog with his patrol car and shot the other, saving the man's life.

Sergeant Marty Amaro, senior officer Casey O'Gorman and officers Robbie Haney Alex Stein, Eric Weber and Dave Wanstrath were honored with the Life Saving medals for their efforts as first responders on medical rescue’s that helped to save lives. The officers who arrived before County Fire personnel performed CPR and even used an Automatic External Defibrillator device carried in Glendora patrol cars to restore the pulse and breathing of three different people who were unresponsive.

Officers responding to aid Irwindale Police during the December of last year were honored with the Unit Citation. The officers were members of the Foothills Special Enforcement Team and helped fellow team members clear the first floor of the large facility, breaching 45 doors and offices in the locked down facility, saving the life of a previously unknown gunshot victim and fellow employees who barricaded themselves in an office during the shooting.

Receiving co-honors as Volunteers of the Year, Auxiliary Anthony Mittskus, for his work assisting the range staff with his expertise in engineering and firearms and Auxiliary Richard Flores, for assisting with preparing meals for the Citizen’s Academy and donating time and resources for various projects around the police facility.

For helping to apprehend three robbery suspects who committed a series of in November of 2011, Detective Ryan Layaye, officer Russell Zino and PSR Tricia Ayers were honored with Chief's Commendations for their work in the criminal investigations. The suspects were all recently sentenced to State Prison.

Detective Nancy Miranda was honored for her work in helping to apprehend the suspect in the case. Miranda identified and arrested the man who placed a hidden camera in the women's restroom of Starbucks. The man is now serving four years in state prison.

Lastly, Jailer Laura Gordon was honored as the Civilian Employee of the Year for her professionalism, safety practices, accuracy of her work and positive attitude in her duties.