Each year the Orange Elks Lodge honors members of our Police and Fire Department for their work in our city.
Janine Storm and Richard Lyons, the Co-Chairmen of the event, said “No words seem adequate to express the admiration and gratitude for the brave men and women who run toward danger to selflessly save others”.
This year our cooks prepared another great dinner. The dining room welcomed our honorees, their guests and members. Our Master of Ceremonies Richard Lyons introduced Mayor of Orange “Tita” Smith, Miss Orange and our honored guests.
Orange Fire Chief Jack Thomas presented Kevin Humphreys, Fire Reserve of the Year, Sergio Rivas, Fire Explorer of the Year, Lucy Echevarria, Non-Sworn Clerical of the Year, Sean deMetropolis, Manager of the Year and M. Barba, Fire Fighter of the Year.
Tom Kisela, Orange Police Chief and member of the Orange Elks, presented awards to Lt. Dennis Gomez, Corporal Mark Bailey, H E A R T Team, Officer Kyle Bean, H E A R T Team and Laurie McCaslin, H E A R T Team. HEART is the Homeless Engagement Assistance Resource Team and CERT is Community Emergency Response Team.
In addition to the officers that will be honored this year, our Drug Awareness Program will be presenting our first ever Enrique "Kiki" Camarena award to OPD Officer Julie Taketa. Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena was an 11 year veteran agent of the DEA, who was kidnapped, brutally tortured and then murdered in Mexico in 1985. Prior to serving with the DEA, Agent Camarena was a firefighter, a criminal investigator and a narcotics officer. He was a loving husband and a father of three children. His death has inspired millions of Americans to lead a drug-free life and the Elks celebrate his commitment to this effort with an annual award. Ray Lozano, the Elks National Drug Awareness and Prevention Speaker, spoke about the significance and history of the Enrique Camarena Award.
Thank you to all who showed up for theevent at the Orange Elks Lodge to honor the Firemen and Policemen of the City of Orange.
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The Orange Fire Department picture
Richard Lyons, Orange Elks, Battalion Chief Kevin Southerland, Segio Rivas, Lucy Echevarria, Matt Barba, Chief Jack Thomas, Janine Storm, Elroy and Katie Wayland
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The Orange Police Department
Richard Lyons, Orange Elks, Lt. Dennis Gomez,Corp. Mark Bailey, Chief Tom Kisela, Janine Storm, Elroy and Katie Wayland
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The Orange Police Department and the Enrique Camarena Award picture
Mike Cash, Orange Elks, Capt. Dave Nichols, Detective Julie Taketa, Chief Tom Kisela, Miss Orange Katie Wayland & El T Roy
