
Sentinel staff report–
During an annual awards ceremony held on Thursday, Citrus Heights police officers and several civilians were recognized for various achievements — including five officers being awarded for life-saving efforts and another officer receiving the police department’s very first “baby delivery” ribbon.
Awards and recognitions were made during the Citrus Heights Police Department’s 12th annual swearing-in, promotional, and awards ceremony at the Citrus Heights Community Center on June 21, which was attended by city council members, along with the city manager, and several regional law enforcement representatives.
According to a news release from the police department issued on Friday, seven police officers and nine reserve officers were sworn in during Thursday’s ceremony. Police Chief Ron Lawrence also made three promotions, including Sgt. Chad Morris to lieutenant, Officer Brian Barron to sergeant, and Records Assistant Tiffany Campbell to records supervisor.
Officers Daniel Tsverov, William Dunning, Jason Kohagen, Aaron Johnson, and Justin Bridges all received life-saving ribbons, and Officer Richard Vryheid was the recipient of CHPD’s first-ever “baby delivery” ribbon, the department said.
Lt. Dave Gutierrez later told The Sentinel that other officers may have had experiences delivering babies on the job, but he said this was the first time an officer had been recognized with an award for doing so. He said additional details about the baby delivery were not immediately available.
Various other ribbons and certificates of recognition were awarded to other officers and police units during the event, including awards given to Sgt. Eric Dias and Reserve Officer Gregory Cowart, who both received the “Chief’s award.”
Citizens and volunteers awarded included a long-time police volunteer, Donna McCain, who received an “exceptional volunteerism award.” Four others received “distinguished citizens” awards: Charlotte Corothers, Cheyanne Anquoe, Anthony Klein, and Carson Boyd, the city manager’s 12-year-old son.
“The citizens of Citrus Heights deserve to be proud of their police department, as they are well protected and professionally served by group of dedicated individuals,” said Chief Lawrence in the news release. “Those recognized at this ceremony, as well as all of our police employees are committed to providing the highest of service possible.”
Citrus Heights currently has up to 91 sworn officers, although Lt. Gutierrez said that total varies throughout the year based on retirements and officers relocating to other departments. The department said its annual ceremony is a way to express “a deep appreciation for all of the hard work, sacrifices, and continuous dedication every member displays to each other and to our awesome community every single day.”