14-05-2025
Police officers receive awards for bravery shown during shooting
ELKHART — Police officers Cpl. Paul Vandenburg and Ptl. Ethan Pasternak were honored by the Elkhart Rotary Club during the 9th annual Rotary Club First Responder Luncheon at the Matterhorn.
The officers were given the Rotary International Life Saving Award for their actions that stopped a gunman during the fatal Jan. 27 shooting at the Martin's Super Market on East Jackson Boulevard. The officers are still recovering from their injuries, Police Chief Dan Milanese said.
'I can guarantee you that both Paul and Ethan had no premonition of being able to stand up here and receive accolades from you when they went into the face of danger,' Milanese said. 'They were not doing that to serve themselves and they'll be the first ones to feel uncomfortable when there's a camera facing [them], asking them about what they did and getting the awards.'
It was unknown when the officers will return to the force. Vandenburg and Pasternak chose not to speak at the event but did receive the awards presented to them by SpartanNash representatives.
Milanese said when it comes to service, the police officers aim to serve others and not themselves. It is incredible how the officers serve the community day in and day out, despite what is going on in their lives, he said.
'I want to thank the Elkhart Police Department for being such a strong partner to our stores in the community,' said Sarah Brown, a representative from SpartanNash. 'It's sad to say that we've gone through two tragedies together, but it's a great feeling to know that we're safe with the Elkhart Police Department by our stores to protect our associates and our community.'
The luncheon also honored the lives of 19-year-old Martin's employee Annasue Rocha and 49-year-old customer Benjamin Jeffrey, who were killed in the shooting. The man who started shooting in the store, 54-year-old Juan Sanchez, was killed by police outside the store.
Megan Erwin, chief of staff in the mayor's office, spoke on how the tragedy personally affected her.
'In 2014, I was woken up by my stepmom because my stepsister had been shot and killed at the Martin's in the other tragedy, so this has a very deep and personal meaning for me,' Erwin said. 'I really appreciate seeing the officers stand up, but I also know that every time that they're standing up to accept the award, they are reliving what happened.'
Erwin also sent along a thank you to the officers from Mayor Rod Roberson who was out of town and could not attend the event.
