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San Manuel Fire Department honored its fire board: Robert Van Dielen, Alfonso Cordero, Danny Riekofski, Jan Herrick and Darryll Kyle.
Public servants are usually the last ones to be thanked.
Policemen, firefighters, paramedics are always there to see us on our worst days. They are there in times of tragedy and seldom see folks at their best.
The San Manuel Elks have found a way to say thank you, a way to say we care about you, to those first responders in our community.
Every year, the Elks host the First Responders Appreciation dinner. It allows the men and women in service to our community a chance to talk and laugh with friends and family. It also gives the organizations a chance to honor one or more of their own, name them Officer of the Year or Trooper of the Year.
The dinner comes with its share of dignitaries, all wanting to say a public thank you and this year was no different.
On Saturday, Jan. 30, the Elks held its annual appreciation banquet. In attendance were State and County elected officials. Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles attended, as did Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu. Also in attendance were State Representatives Frank Pratt and T.J. Shope. All spoke, thanking the policemen and other first responders for their service. Babeu and Pratt also commended the Elks.
One of the most touching things said that evening came from Arnold Estrada, the Justice of the Peace for Mammoth-San Manuel.
“When you hear a call,” he said, “my first reaction is a prayer.”
He said he has lived in the Tri-Community for 47 years. The officers and firefighters, he said, are his neighbors. It’s his prayer that they return home unharmed.
He also thanked the families of the first responders “for supporting these people.”
Glen Swavely, who attended as district commander of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, said that despite the fact that they wear different uniforms and report to different bosses, “In the end,” he said, “it’s for the same purpose, for the same people.”
He thanked all of the first responders for working to make life better.
Award winners
Bruce Fletcher was named Trooper of the Year for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
DPS Trooper of the Year is Bruce Fletcher. Swavely presented the award
Joey Hogan was named Deputy of the Year for Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu presented an official commendation to Pilar Clark.
Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year is Joey Hogan. Sheriff Babeu also presented an official commendation to a member of the support staff, Pilar Clark, who serves as the secretary in the San Manuel substation. In spite of being a relatively new employee, Pilar assisted heavily in the overhaul of the Spillman system which PCSO uses for its reporting system.
Peter Chen was named Paramedic of the Year by Southwest Ambulance/Tri City Meds.
Paramedic of the Year for Tri City Med is Peter Chen. Anna Mischel from Southwest Ambulance presented the award.
Mammoth Fire Department named Lisa Casillas as the Firefighter of the Year. She was instrumental in applying for and winning a grant which was used to help purchase more bicycles and toys for the department’s annual Fourth of July event. Mammoth Fire Chief Marty Ponce presented the award.
Oracle Fire Department honored Michael Parra as the Firefighter of the Year.
Oracle Fire Chief Larry Southard presented the Firefighter of the Year award to Michael Parra. Michael has been with the fire department since he was 16 and a member of the Explorers.
Mammoth Police Department honored Jim Salazar as its Officer of the Year.
Mammoth Police Department named one of its reserve officers as the Officer of the Year. Mammoth Mayor Don Jones explained that the department has a real manpower issue and have to rely on reserve officers to fill shifts. Jim Salazar is one of those officers. He spends his weekends in Mammoth, helping to patrol the town and keep its residents safe. And he does it all free of charge. Mammoth PD Sgt. Michael Green presented the award.
San Manuel Fire Department honored its fire board this year. All live in San Manuel and all care about the community, Chief John Stanford said. Honored were: Robert Van Dielen, Alfonso Cordero, Danny Riekofski, Jan Herrick and Darryll Kyle. Named as an honorary honoree was John Dicus, who served on the board for several decades.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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