1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this bulletin is to proudly report on a singular occasion, justly honoring spectacular achievements by the great souls who place so much on the line for us every day, hour, minute, and second.
1.2 Specifically, at 10:00 am, on Thursday, August 29, 2013, I was privileged to attend, at Pittsburg City Hall, a special awards ceremony, honoring a huge host of sworn officers, two civilian employees, and a citizen-volunteer, of "Pittsburg's Finest," its Police Department -- with 56 commendations, including FIVE Gold & Bronze "Medals of Valor."
1.3 The complete list of honorees is included at the very end of this bulletin, so that each and every name can be seen, learned, recalled, recognized, and honored, whenever these individuals might be encountered. (The least we should do.)
1.4 The place was packed with officers, families, friends, dignitaries, and other admirers! Many extra seats had to spill out into the foyer and virtually every seat was filled. The more spacious California Theater was the originally intended venue, until a local power failure closed that option on very short notice. The sudden challenge was met with great dexterity and speed.
2.1 Because I think that City (and even County) residents deserve to know about and remember, with a great deal of pride and peace of mind, the symbolic thing that just happened.
2.2 Besides, the Pittsburg Police Department has achieved and sustained a fantastic track record -- and, consequently, the community is much better able to survive and thrive -- and is far, far better off knowing than not knowing as much as possible about this true and fortunate state of affairs.
As is often the case, I find, fate played a pivotal role, as far as my involvement was concerned. Had it not been for the power failure which forced me from my home office (and coffee) into the nearby, WiFi-equipped, Steeltown Coffee and Tea shop, I wouldn't have seen Mayor Nancy Parent. And she would not have been able to tell me about the event, in time for me to run home, get changed, and make it to City Hall.
Ah, such is a kind fate -- for I would have been sad and frustrated to have missed this. It was quite a fortunate chain-reaction the Mayor started, as usual.
My Dilemma Over this Report and Its Solution
3.1 I've spent considerable time on drafts of this report. But the ceremony was so fascinating, I found I had produced notes of little help to me.
- Yes, I could fill some of the gaps by pulling things from a "less-than-completely-reliable" memory -- and from a less than perfect hearing position -- but it is so important that I say things exactly right.
- For human feelings and justice are very much at stake here.
- How could I risk accidentally omitting something important? Or embarrassing the Department by misstating, understating, or overstating what has been achieved, so magnificently? What an injustice and under-miner that would be.
- So, until this very morning, I've been stuck.
3.2 I decided to level with you. I have so many irons in the fire, right now. And this is diverting so much precious time to do right -- and, in timely fashion -- and I can't afford to delay this till later. And this honored task is so risky to do without adequate information.
- So, I ask our friends in the Police Department to understand that I must take a short-cut and write this very incomplete statement, as is, for now.
- But, I am certain that you will want me to, instead, continue my work on the major thing I've undertaken to create --- "The Civic Mentor" (partially explained) -- at CivicMentor.net (the fledgling site) -- rather than fruitlessly reaching for what is proving so elusive.
- Why? Because completion of this next Mentor task, I dearly hope, will circle back to directly help facilitate the execution of the police duty -- in many ways -- among many other social tasks -- especially from the "grass roots side of the equation" -- for a long time to come -- if fate continues to be kind.
3.3 However, I'm not done with this present matter. I'm hoping that I can get copies of the wonderful award citations -- for we all seriously need to see them in written form, so we can better absorb and remember the great meaning they contain -- an opportunity not to be forfeited. So, if I can get those copies, I'll promptly post them in this City-Journal, thereby supplying the crucial missing parts to this story. (16 May 14 Update: Chief Addington kindly provided me with those citations -- and I am busy building a permanent home for them -- so we will never, ever forget what has been done through the glorious history of the department)
3.4 Besides, we need to place and keep these citations in the public domain, such as on this blog, where they can be more readily rediscovered, from time-to-time, within a permanent home -- far more unlikely to be fully forgotten or unknowable.
4. Perhaps, my basic impressions will suffice for now
No wonder I was spellbound by the whole thing. Everything was so superbly inspiring to behold.
- Behind every single citation lies a story (too often unknown or taken for granted) containing some mix of great courage, strong sense of duty, willing acceptance of arduous work conditions and enormous personal risk, un-Godly work schedules, highly-complicated and hazardous tasks, immense time pressures, intelligence and skill, compassion for fellow human beings, personal sacrifices, family disruptions, lives and property saved, administrative and technical and physical prowess -- and more.
- And, surely, the regular and frequent confrontations with the worst elements of our society must be incredibly depressing (with terrible exposures that could dampen the spirits of all but the strongest of us who ever faced those elements in play -- especially a lot of them -- even voluntarily, no less).
- Yet, these extraordinary individuals -- and their extraordinary colleagues -- remain devoted to the public's service.
No wonder my eyes frequently moistened and I choked up, repeatedly, during the entire thing (I'm too old to blush about admitting such things).
4.1 The Proceedings, in the Most General Terms
4.1.1 The Chief of Police and Master of Ceremony, Chief Brian Addington, started this official civic event, in the highly appropriate way every such civic event should start -- paying grateful homage to the national symbols. This duty was serviced by the award-winning Police honor guard, when they brought forth the national colors (along with the important, but lesser flags), before a standing and saluting audience, with correct military smartness and precision.
4.1.2 Immediately after establishing this crucial foundation, a very touching thing was done. The Chief announced and demonstrated a brand new departmental tradition, in commemoration of Pittsburg's three fallen police heroes
- Those officers were Officer John Joseph Buckley, Inspector Raymond Joseph Giacomelli, and Officer Larry Elwood Lasater, Jr. Much more is told about them through links contained in the PCJ bulletin, entitled "THE POLICE: Heroism and the Last Full Measure of Devotion, published in honor of Police Memorial Day 2013.
- The Permanent New Tradition: Three "Battle Streamers," symbolizing each lost officer, were affixed to the Department's official banner, by their families or friends. Much like the campaign streamers which decorate military flags, to recognize particular unit or service achievements or events, colored streamers now adorn the Police Department's official colors. We can earnestly hope that no more such streamers will ever need to be added, though. Three is more than enough.
4.2 The Rest of the Ceremony
4.2.1 And then, the awards presentations proceeded, with the reading of each citation -- frequently enhanced by grateful and loud applause. As I have said, I dare not try to be too specific, risking doing a disservice to those who deserve accurate reporting. So, let me summarize, thusly, till a more thorough follow-up can hopefully be arranged.
4.2.2 MULTIPLES -- It was totally impressive that any of these officers received even one citation -- but so many were called forward, multiple times!!! And, in every case, single or multiple, it was both what they did and the exemplary way in which they did it -- which have drawn such approbation.
4.2.3 AN EXAMPLE -- The first commendations were for eight officers who were recognized for their compassionate sense of humanity -- having personally raised and paid the cost to insure that a dying girl-child was flown to her home in Mexico, to spend her final hours -- thereby, most kindly fulfilling her heart's cherished desire -- on Christmas Day 2012.
4.2.4 A SUMMATION -- Others officers came forward, while we were told how they fought dangerous battles to bring foul-players to justice, with minimal force. Or how they intercepted huge numbers of tools of destruction and neutralized them before they could do harm to us. Or how dogged determination and clever individual and team police-work cracked difficult puzzles that needed cracking. Or how alertness and keen sensitivity enabled detection of things that further short-circuited crime in its tracks. And, more...
4.2.5 Chief Addington also explained how the Officer of the Year, Officer Brian Scott, was selected from among so many high-performers. The whole Department, from top to bottom, was consulted.
4.3 And, the essential CIVILIANS were not overlooked.
4.3.1 Civilian Employee of the Year, CSS Bridget Hardeway was selected for her high honor in the same way as was done to select Officer Scott. (CSS means "Community Services Specialist.")
4.3.2 CSS Louise Reeves receive a Chief's Commendation.
4.3.3 And, the Volunteer of the Year, Mike Pareno, 90-years of age (I think I heard correctly) was cited for selflessly investing 6,000 hours (imagine that) doing work that took so much pressure off of scarce police resources. (Thank you, sir)
And More Standing Ovations
4.4.1 Then the Chief gave the department's third highest award, the BRONZE MEDAL of VALOR, to Sergeant Philip Galer, Officer Brian Scott, and Detective James Terry!!!
4.4.2 And, finally, the department's HIGHEST award, the GOLD MEDAL of VALOR, was presented to Officer Brian Scott (whose name was repeated with breath-taking regularity -- a bright star in a firmament of bright stars) and Officer Raychel Whedbee!!!!
4.4.3 Oh, I really need copies of those citations, to do these pleasant tasks properly! Though, I can't resist noting, here, how much and how well our society has matured within living memory.
- I can remember a time when it was a big and jarring social change to fully integrate women into the dangerous front lines of public service -- within the military and police bodies -- and elsewhere.
- It seems unthinkable, now, that society would have willfully given up roughly half its strength for outworn notions of ancient gender roles.
- Now, no one can seriously argue that society has not been greatly enhanced -- as evidenced by equal displays of courage and skill, irrespective of gender.
- And now, a woman, Officer Whedbee, stood with Officer Scott to receive this highest recognition of extraordinary courage -- firmly positioning herself among the growing ranks of our daughters and sisters who have achieved such distinction throughout the land.
- Things are definitely looking up for the nation, with examples such as these two fine officers, and the rest, have selflessly given, to inspire more of the same.
4.4.4 WEARABLE RIBBONS: I understood that many (if not all?) citations are accompanied by corresponding ribbons which officers are to wear on their uniforms. (Yet another thing I need to clarify.) (16 May 14 Update: The answer is, "YES." Wearable ribbons -- click here were authorized)
5. AND NOW, THE LIST OF DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS & CIVILIANS
(Commendations listed in groups of five or ten)
