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ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE Life Down Under Word Power Doggone Helpful Greetings from Costa Rica Taking Technology into Account(ing) Lucky Fall CurricuNet Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments
by faculty and staff… |
Acts of Valor It started like any other end of shift, but quickly turned into a matter of life and death — and heroism. Dave Vasquez, a sergeant in the district’s College Police Department assigned to Mesa College, had finished his evening shift on July 28, 2000. It was 10:30 p.m. as he headed south on the 805 freeway not far from campus. Near the Murray Ridge exit, Vasquez saw a Toyota Camry collide with an older model Opel coupe that had stalled in a traffic lane. Both vehicles burst into flames. His police radio in hand, Vasquez called for help then ran to the burning cars. Luckily, there was also an on-duty Chula Vista police officer at the scene, trying to extinguish the flames in the stalled car. Vasquez ran to the Toyota and pulled out the sole occupant, driver Dianne Lynn. He then ran back to the first car and helped rescue the driver, Jose Quinonez. Meanwhile, district police officers Anthony Abutin, Mickey Nguyen and Lon Nguyen had heard Vasquez’s radio call and rushed to the freeway, where they helped with the victims and traffic control. The passenger in the stalled car died the next day in the hospital, but both drivers survived, thanks in large measure to the bravery of Vasquez. “He placed himself in personal danger to save the lives of motorists involved in a major collision,” wrote Police Chief David Worden in his commendation to Vasquez. “Sergeant Vasquez’s actions represent the highest degree of professionalism in the service of the community and law enforcement.” For his bravery and heroic actions, Vasquez recently received the Medal of Valor from the California College and University Police Chiefs Association. Model Police Officer Jordan Mirakian embodies modern, community-oriented police work and from the length of his list of accomplishments while an officer for the College Police Department, it’s clear he lives and breathes his chosen profession. “Officer Mirakian has developed a well-rounded police practice, demonstrating skills and abilities in several areas,” according to Police Chief David Worden. On the job, he and fellow officers Anthony Abutin and Cornelius Ashton decided to tackle safety issues presented by transients at the Linda Vista Presbyterian Church, a location for CET classes. They used environmental design and interagency cooperation to eliminate the problems. Then Mirakian and Ashton wrote an article about the project that was published in the Campus Law Enforcement Journal. In at least three instances combining police intuition and solid investigative skills, Mirakian’s interviews and reports from college police patrol have cast wider nets, resulting in felony arrests by other police agencies. Off-duty, Mirakian talks up the merits of the job and so far has recruited three officers who have completed probation. He participates in a number of community events — the Martin Luther King Day parade; Shop With A Cop, a holiday charity outing for underprivileged children who get assigned a police officer of their own and a coupon for shopping at a discount retailer; and Halloween safety demonstrations at district child development centers. “He has been a tireless booster for the department,” Worden added. “His enthusiasm for the job and his overall professionalism make him a model community college police officer.” Mirakian has received commen-dations from various police agencies and was named the College Police Department 2001 Employee of the Year. In April, he was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the California College and University Police Chiefs Association at its annual conference.
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