Congressman Honors Sonoma County Public Safety Heroes Of Year

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Cotati police dispatcher and a Santa Rosa fire captain were among those named Sunday as U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson's public safety heroes of the year. The Democrat congressman from Napa each year 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 Sonoma County, the honors for 2019 went to Cotati PD dispatcher/clerk Cristina Montoya and Santa Rosa FD Capt. Don Ricci.

"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 perform day in and day out. It is a distinct honor to represent so many dedicated and heroic public servants."

The congressman said Montoya’s "dogged and dedicated work as a police dispatcher was critical to apprehending a suspect who had stolen a shotgun and assaulted family members."

"She connected the dots between the two crimes and her hard work was recognized with a standing ovation by the city manager, Thompson said.

Fire Capt. Ricci’s "quick thinking and heroic actions saved the life of one resident," are what earned him the honor.

"He entered a home on fire despite great risk and his chief determined his work saved the life of an individual trapped inside and highly commended his service as a whole," Thompson said.

The congressman said their quick thinking under pressure and dedication to their job in the face of danger saved lives.

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

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