Corning Exchange Club honors first responders with awards, dinner

Yahoo

27-02-2025

It was to a full house that 14 first responders were honored with plaques and certificates recognizing their service and commitment to their communities during the annual Corning Exchange Club Law Enforcement and Fire Personnel Recognition Awards Dinner on Feb. 22 at the Corning Fire Hall.
While enjoying a tri-tip dinner prepared and served by Exchange Club members, the dinner's guests, including family, friends and fellow responders of the award recipients, were welcomed by Exchange Cub President Ross Turner, who expressed his appreciation to all first responders serving in Tehama County.
'The Corning Exchange Club is honored to award public safety personnel for their outstanding dedication and service to the citizens of Tehama County,' said Turner.
Northstate news anchor Linda Watkins-Bennet, serving as mistress-of-ceremonies, shared her appreciation as well.
'This is one of my favorite events of the year as it provides me an opportunity to express my appreciation of the day-in, day-out service and always going above and beyond the call to make the community safer for all,' she said.
In his invocation for the dinner, Bishop Brian Marriott from the local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asked that God bless the first responders and their families for the dedicated service and sacrifices they give.
April Henry, a teacher at Richfield Elementary School sang the National Anthem as the California Highway Patrol Explorers presented the Colors and led the pledge of allegiance.
On hand to present certificates of recognition to each award recipient was Breyden Coma representing the offices of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Assemblyman James Gallagher, and Senator Megan Dahle.
First to present awards was Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain who presented the Officer of Year to Karie Simons, and from Tehama County Search and Rescue, Ken Johnson.
He said of Simons, 'All of our employees are top notch, but this year it was easy to see how Karie went above and beyond to help our agency gain stability in staffing as well as the ferocity with which she pursued other tasks.' Simons currently serves as the sheriff's administrative secretary.
Of Johnson who has been with Search and Rescue for 34 years, Kain said, 'One of Ken's well known feats was being roped across a fast-moving creek to rescue several boy scouts who had become stranded by the fast-flowing and flooded creek.'
Lt. Brett McAllister from the Tehama County District Attorney's Office presented the Investigator of the Year award to Rod Daugherty, who was unable to attend in person, however, McAllister had a life-size cutout of Daugherty to share.
'Investigator Daugherty's hard work ethic and leadership role at DSS has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated...he consistently displays compassion, patience, and respect for all citizens regardless of circumstances,' McAllister said.
Tehama County Probation Officer Max Moreno was the recipient of the department's Officer of the Year award presented by Dep. Chief Officer Clayton Bennett.
He noted that Moreno works with the juvenile for the office and does so with understanding and kindness especially required to fill that role successfully.
Heavy equipment mechanic Corey Shackelford was the recipient of the Tehama/Glenn Unit award, and David Haugen the Tehama County Fire Department award, both presented by CalFire Unit Chief Monty Smith, who said, 'They both are imperative in maintaining our fleet of over 200 pieces of equipment.'
Tehama County Volunteer Fire Chief John Lacy presented the Station 12 Firefighter of the Year award to Volunteer Fireman Warren Price, who Lacy noted last year responded to nearly every call-out the department received and is a critical example to other firefighters in the department.
The Red Bluff Police Department's Officer of the Year award went to Corp. Charles Lampron, presented by Lt. Michael Brown.
'He is very motivated and proactive,' Brown said of Lampron who is a police canine handler. 'He clearly enjoys his work and does a great job at it. He fosters teamwork and is very deserving of this award.'
Red Bluff Fire Chief Michael Bachmeyer presented the Firefighter of the Year award to Fireman Sean Story, saying unlike anything he has seen, Story literally climbed the ladder of hard work to become a firefighter and did so with resiliency and dedication.
CHP Lt. Commander Bret Kwarta presented the Officer of the Year to Officer Ross Crown.
'Officer Crown gained international recognition and an award for combatting auto theft while working on a task force for five years in Oakland. As a patrolman he has earned the AAA Lifetime Achievement Award...this is the highest available award for recovering stolen vehicles,' Kwarta said.
It was Officer Jason Page and Commercial Vehicle Inspector Matthew Shelburne who each were presented a CHP Honoree of the Year award presented by Lt. Commander Coady Corrigan.
Corning Police Chief Craig Bassett presented Officer Dannette Ross with the department's Officer of the Year award, noting her journey from a department dispatcher to her current role as a police officer and canine handler.
'At our department we emphasize the importance of treating everyone with respect until they prove otherwise, Dannette embodies this principle with her kindness, her passion about her job and the care she has for the people in the community,' he said.
It was Second Assistant Chief Jeff Nelson who was the recipient of the Corning Volunteer Fire Department's Firefighter of the Year award, presented by Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson.
'His dedication and response to call-outs at our department is an example to everyone of our firefighters,' Tomlinson said. 'He also serves the Northstate with his First Responder Therapy Dog, Blitz, as the two have provided much needed service to first responders in several crisis situations.'
The evening ended with Watkins-Bennett presenting a Certificate of Recognition to the Corning Volunteer Fire Department for providing the Fire Hall for the dinner.
In addition, Renae Beckley of The Copy Shop is deserving of recognition for putting in countless hours behind the scenes preparing for the dinner and awards presentations.