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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Chris Thorne
CEO, North San Diego Business Chamber
Email: chris@sdbusinesschamber.com
Phone: (858) 217- 8970
 

North San Diego Business Chamber Announces Honoring Our Region’s Heroes Awards

Hear 14 miraculous stories of heroism in the San Diego community

1. Engine 38 and Engine 44 - San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
   Firefighters rescued a resident trapped inside a burning home, navigating intense flames and challenging conditions to save the victim, whose life was spared thanks to their swift and coordinated efforts.
    
2. District Attorney Investigator Tony La Dell - San Diego County District Attorney's Office
   This investigator has conducted 496 danger assessments for domestic abuse victims, leading to the seizure of over 33 firearms, while his sharp instincts also helped solve a 2020 murder case and secure a groundbreaking federal RICO indictment for elder fraud.
    
3. Public Safety Officer Valley View Casino & Hotel (San Pasqual Tribe) Margaret "Megan" Strache - Tribal Public Safety
   Officer Strache went above and beyond in two life-changing incidents, offering compassionate care to an elderly guest stuck in an elevator and a grieving widow after the sudden loss of her husband.
    
4. Police Officers Brooke Miller, Luke Downey, and Daniel Gonzalez - San Diego Harbor Police
   These officers saved two men from a life-threatening situation near Shelter Island, swiftly responding to a severe boating accident and ensuring both victims received critical medical care.
    
5. Deputy Sheriff Edwin Cosby - San Diego County Sheriff's Office
   Deputy Cosby heroically risked his life, running across three lanes of oncoming traffic on Interstate 125 to save a suicidal juvenile, preventing what could have been a tragic accident.
    
6. Police Officers Erin MacNeil, Zachary Bruce, and Kurt Lambaren - San Diego County Sheriff's Office
   These officers saved a woman's life at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Las Flores after responding to a call and administering emergency aid for a severe throat injury.
    
7. Detective Travis Clancy - San Diego Police Department
   Detective Clancy's quick thinking and expert use of investigative technology led to the swift arrest of a suspect in an attempted murder case, resulting in a guilty plea and highlighting his dedication to solving violent crimes.
    
8. Corporal Brian Abraham et al. - San Diego County Sheriff's Office Transit Enforcement Unit
   This unit has strengthened community ties through outreach initiatives, demonstrating a deep commitment to public service by caring for unhoused individuals' pets and sheltering those in need during winter storms.
    
9. Officer Robert Stewart et al. - County of San Diego, Probation Department
   These officers swiftly intervened at Carlsbad Village Academy to support a 13-year-old who disclosed suicidal thoughts, ultimately connecting him with vital mental health services.
    
10. Police Officer Miguel Gonzales - Oceanside Police Department
    Officer Gonzales demonstrated exceptional compassion and communication skills, saving a young man's life during a tense standoff.
     
11. Officer Edward Ketchum - California Highway Patrol
    Officer Ketchum saved a non-responsive infant in 2021, recently reuniting with the now four-year-old child during the child's first day of school.
     
12. Name withheld - Drug Enforcement Administration
    As Division Training Coordinator, this Special Agent quickly assessed a colleague experiencing severe health issues and ensured timely medical intervention, saving her life after a heart attack.
     
13. Name withheld - Homeland Security Investigations
    A Special Agent played a critical role in preventing a mass school shooting by helping identify and arrest the suspect, resulting in the recovery of firearms.
     
14. Police Officer Jared Gonzales - Escondido Police Department
    Officer Gonzales heroically saved a young man in a severe mental health crisis from a suicide attempt by scaling a fence and ensuring he received medical treatment.