Law Enforcement Officials Receive Honors

By: Andrew Clark

LANCASTER - Hundreds of law enforcement officials, attorneys and judicial professionals congratulated their colleagues at the 2016 Law Appreciation Day ceremony Friday at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.

Emceed by retired California Highway Patrol commander Gordon Graham and attended by the mayors of Palmdale and Lancaster, Rep. Steve Knight, Assemblyman Tom Lackey and other leaders, 11 law enforcement officers, five attorneys and a judge were recognized for their service to the community.

Knight High School sophomore Asenig Shahid-Williams won the Law Day Speech Competition, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Miranda v. Arizona Supreme Court decision - the case that resulted in the well-known warning that people in police custody have the right to remain silent, to consult with an attorney, and to have an attorney provided if they don't have the money to pay one.

Noah Sveiven, a freshman at SOAR High School, and Highland High School senior Alexandra Coronado were named runners-up.

Sheriff's Explorers essay winners were Nicholas Zimmer, Gabriel Rodriguez, Nancy Mercado and Nicholas Hernandez. They wrote about Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Sorensen, the Lake Los Angeles resident deputy who was shot to death in 2003.

2016 Law Appreciation Day Award Recipients were:

Parole Agent of the Year, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Division of Adult Parole Operations - Parole Agent Matthew Swain.

Officer of the Year, California City Police Department - Officer Ryan Hodge.

Correctional Officer of the Year, California Department of Corrections - Correctional Officer Christopher Geiwitz.

Officer of the Year, California Highway Patrol - Officer James Perkins.

Deputy of the Year, Kern County Sheriff's Department - Deputy William Malloy from the Rosamond Substation.

Probation Officer of the Year, Los Angeles County Probation Department - Officer Wanda Falls.

Probation Officer of the Year, Los Angeles County Probation Department - Officer Jamie Rider.

Deputy of the Year, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Palmdale Station -Deputy Donald Chavez.

Deputy of the Year, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lancaster Station - Deputy Anthony Levin.

Deputy of the Year, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Court Services - Deputy Kevin Chapman.

Alternate Public Defender of the Year, Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender's Office - Neil Raddick.

Deputy District Attorney of the Year, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office - Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami.

The Philip M. Schwabacher Award, given to an attorney with an outstanding record of community service, was awarded to Patricia Oliver.

Trial Attorney of the Year - Lisa M. Pacione.

Judge of the Year - Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Christopher Estes.

Antelope Valley Bar Association Past President - Ryan Kahl.

Lifetime Achievement Award - Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Reserve Deputy Becky Derrick.

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aclark@avpress.com

Story courtesy of AV Press

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