Congressman Honors Napa County Public Safety Heroes Of Year

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A veteran Napa County sheriff's deputy who was first on the scene at the tragic Pathway Home shooting last March was among those honored 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 Napa County, the honors for 2019 went to sheriff's Deputy Steven Lombardi and Napa fire Capt. Steve Becker.

"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 noted that until backup arrived, Deputy Lombardi was the lone law enforcement officer on scene March 9, 2018 of an armed hostage situation at Pathway Home on the grounds of California Veterans Home in Yountville. Three faculty members tragically died that day, as did the gunman, a military veteran whom authorities said took his own life.

The Congressman said the heroic actions taken by Lombardi, a 26-year veteran of the Napa County Sheriff's Office, "saved countless lives and allowed for law enforcement to arrive and contain the situation."

Likewise, Capt. Becker of the Napa Fire Department can be counted on to go above and beyond his usual duties, Thompson said in a news release. Becker, a community fixture who has served the Napa Valley for over three decades, was commended for fighting for legislation, stopping tragic fire accidents and managing local community problems.

"They are true heroes and it is my honor to join them in bettering the lives of people across our county," Thompson said.

In additions 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