By Mary O’KEEFE

The 27th Annual Glendale Police Foundation Awards luncheon was held last week with some familiar faces being recognized for their service.

The annual event recognizes and honors the accomplishments of the members of the Glendale community and the Glendale Police Dept., according to the GPF.

“The luncheon [highlighted] the successes that the police department has seen in the past year. In addition the Foundation will announce the Officer of the Year, Professional Staff Employee of the Year and Lifesaving Awards,” according to GPD.

Those recognized included GPD Community Service Officer Amy Tate as Professional Staff of the Year. Tate is the power behind so many outreach events by the GPD including the holiday celebration when police and GPD staff bring Christmas trees and gifts to families in need. Tate not only reaches out during the holidays but also follows up throughout the year. She organized the recent Touch a Truck event in partnership with the American Cancer Society.

The Lifesaving Award recognized two police officers and a member of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. – Crescenta Valley Station, Montrose Search and Rescue.

Officer Elisa Lozano, Officer Jason Embleton and MSAR member Steve Goldsworthy received the Lifesaving Awards after their rescue of a teen at Crescenta Valley Park.

“On April 3 at 10:20 in the morning Glendale police responded to assist [LASD] at Crescenta Valley Park in search of a low-functioning autistic 16-year-old boy who had run into the wooded area. After several hours of search for the boy, sheriff deputies [and MSAR members], police officers and helicopters from Los Angeles police and LASD found no sign of him,” according to the release from Glendale Police Foundation.

Glendale Burbank air support was requested and about five hours after the initial call Air 1 began its search. Working together, Burbank police pilot Jason Embleton, Tactical Flight Officer from GPD Reserve Officer Elisa Lozano, and LASD MSAR team member Steve Goldsworthy were able to locate the boy.

For a full story on the rescue go to www.cvweekly.com and search “Rocks Key to Successful Rescue” published in CVW on April 7, 2022.

Officer Elisa Lozano was also awarded the Glendale Police Reserve Officer of the Year.