Crime & Safety

Near Drowning Victim Helps Present Award to Redlands Police Officer

The 5-year-old nearly drowned this summer, but 'quick thinking and actions' by Redlands Police Officer Breanna Herrera saved his life, police say.

A Redlands police officer who is credited with saving the life of a 5-year-old who nearly drown this summer was just one of a handful to be honored at a recent awards ceremony for the police department.

At the annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, the boy placed the department's "life-saving medal" over the neck of Officer Breanna Herrera.

"Officer Herrera's quick thinking and actions in this stressful and challenging situation undoubtedly saved this child's life," said Lt. Travis Martinez during Wednesday’s awards ceremony at the Redlands Police Annex. “Had she hesitated at any point, the outcome likely would have been far more tragic for this child and his family."

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According to the city's public information officer, Carl Baker, the following officers and volunteers were also honored at the ceremony:

  • Sgt. Mike Reiss was awarded the department’s Jose A. Rivera Police Officer of the Year Award, named for the City of Redlands’ first police constable.

Reiss was recognized as a mentor who inspires others in achieving their full potential and provides an example of integrity to the members of his team and other officers.

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Reiss also “has developed a talent for developing and managing informants,” and for networking with surrounding agencies, “which has allowed him to solve many high-profile investigations,” including multi-jurisdictional murder and theft investigations, said Lt. Martinez.

  • The department’s William C. Brummigan Award, given to a civilian staff member, was awarded to Support Services Supervisor Shayna Walker.

Walker, who started with the Redlands Police Department in the late 1990s as a dispatcher, was later promoted to dispatch supervisor. Since her promotion to her current position,Walker has been responsible for implementing various new programs and innovative technologies used throughout the department. These creative strategies have streamlined operations for officers, civilians, volunteers, and members of the community, saving time, money, and valuable resources.

Walker “is committed to making sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently for all members of the department” said Lt. Martinez. “If a problem is brought to her attention, a quick remedy will be immediately sought and a permanent solution established in a short period of time.”

  • The department’s Commitment to Excellence Award was presented to Officers Eddie Herrera and Estaban Valenzuela. Valenzuela was unable to attend the ceremony.

On June 21, 911 operators received a phone call from a friend of a subject who had been using heroin and was unresponsive. The caller did not know their exact location, however, Officer Herrera was able to determine the location of the caller and both he and Officer Valenzuela initiated CPR on the subject.  They continued CPR until they were relieved by arriving Fire Department paramedics.

The man was transported to Redlands Community Hospital, breathing and with a pulse. He later died, but the actions of the officers allowed the man’s family to spend a few hours with him prior to his death.  The field supervisor on scene noted that both officers performed exceptionally in a tense situation, utilizing their skills, abilities and training in an attempt to save the subject’s life. 

  • The Explorer of the Year Award was presented to Charles Merrill, who joined the RPD Explorer Post in June 2010.

Merrill has been a Field Training Officer and corporal and is currently the main events coordinator for the post while continuing his field training duties. He holds three Post 61 ribbon awards and has documented approximately 2,000 hours of volunteer time in his two and half years of service with the Explorer Post.

  • The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Terry Harbison, who has volunteered approximately 1,300 hours with the department since 2007, as a pilot, co-pilot and tactical flight officer with the RPD’s Air Support Unit.
  • Reserve Officer Ryan Shearer was named the Reserve Officer of the Year. Volunteering as a Level 1 Police Officer Reserve in May 2012, Shearer has volunteered more than 500 hours, averaging around 90 hours a month. When he completes his current field training program he will be qualified to drive a police car by himself and assist patrol officers with calls for service.
  • Fran Serrao was presented a Certificate of Appreciation. Serrao worked for more than 29 years with the department in the Records Division, eventually becoming the division supervisor before budget cuts eliminated her position in June 2010. In May 2012, Serrao returned to the department as a volunteer, donating between 16 and 24 hours per week, a total of 350 hours. She was instrumental in helping clear a two-year backlog of unprocessed reports and has continued helping process current reports.
  • Cpl. Dominick Povero was also recognized for his promotion since the department’s last ceremony, and his wife, Diana, was on hand to pin his corporal’s badge to his uniform.

A graduate of Redlands East Valley High School, Povero earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Riverside in 2003. He was hired by the Redlands Police Department in 2005 and has worked various assignments, including patrol, investigations and the Multiple Enforcement Team. Povero has also been an advisor to the department’s Explorer post. He recently earned his master’s degree in management from the University of Redlands.

In 2011, Povero was named the Footprinters Association Police Officer of the Year.

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