Fire Heroes Honored During
Sheriff’s Department Awards Ceremony
by Joe Naiman

Members of the Ramona Senior Volunteer Patrol receiving their Meritorious Unit Citation. Citation was presented by Sheriff Bill Kolender for their services during the Cedar Fire.

Three Ramona units and numerous sheriff’s deputies who assisted in evacuations during the Cedar Fire were honored April 9 during the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department awards ceremony in San Diego.

The Ramona Sheriff’s Substation and the Ramona Substation Volunteer Mounted Unit received sheriff’s unit citations for their work during the Cedar Fire, while deputies received medals of valor for their work.

The Rural Law Enforcement Division, which includes the Campo, Pine Valley, Julian and Ranchita substations, also received a sheriff’s unit citation, while the Rural Law Enforcement Senior Volunteer Patrol received a meritorious unit citation.

A meritorious unit citation also was presented to the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service unit, which included members stationed in Ramona during the fires.

The awards ceremony was the largest in the history of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, which was founded in 1850.

"I just can’t tell you how proud I am of each and every one of you," Sheriff Bill Kolender told recipients. "We are a model for the state, and one of the reasons for it is our relationship with all of you."

The ceremony recognized sheriff’s deputies, other department employees, volunteer patrols, and civilians who aided the department. Most awards were prompted by actions from the October fires, although other recipients were recognized for other department incidents or for significant developments.

A medal of valor is awarded to department members who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism performed at personal risk of life or limb. A sheriff’s unit citation is awarded to an organizational unit of the department for bravery by its members functioning as a team, while a meritorious unit citation is awarded to an organizational unit of the department for outstanding service by its members functioning as a team.

Nine senior volunteer patrols received meritorious unit citations.

During the October fires, duties of the senior volunteer patrols included delivering food and water to firefighting personnel, assisting residents with packing and other evacuation needs, and running errands for the sheriff’s department.

"The Senior Volunteer Patrol throughout the county proved to be an invaluable resource," said Jack Drown, who presented the awards.