“Today Miyuki Harwood told our Search & Rescue unit, “thank you for not giving up, thank you for saving my life.” – Sheriff Margaret Mims.
(KMJ) – Promotions, awards, commendations and a reunion of rescuers with the woman they saved for members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office held their ceremony, Wednesday, January 27th, at the Veterans Memorial Theatre, and over 80 new hires were welcomed from correction officers to new deputy sheriffs.
Deputy Sheriff Timothy Riordan explained the meaning of the day for him: “It felt great finally to fulfill my goals and my ideas what a man should do and protect the area.”
Commendations went out, from Jose Sanchez who saved a baby from a burning auto, and Naomi Flam who rescued horses in the Rough Fire to recognition for the Sheriff’s Search & Rescue team that pulled stranded hiker Miyuki Harwood out of the Sierra Mountains with two broken legs, back in August of 2015.
Deputy Sheriff, Jason Vinogradoff was part of the rescue team that made contact with Harwood after she survived nine days by herself in the wilderness:
“When I got on scene, I gave her like warm water – because she was super cold – warm water, some Gatorade, it really kinda let her know that she was going to be ok.” – Deputy Sheriff, Jason Vinogradoff, Search & Rescue Team.
They met face to face for the first time since the rescue – she traveled from Palo Alto to attend.
Liz Kern: How did it feel talking to her?
Jason Vinogradoff: Ah, it was good it was really, really good.
She attended the ceremony with crutches by her side, but she had a warm smile and was happy to see her rescuers, again.
Harwood did not speak to the media, but endured the lights and camera during her reunion.
Vinograff was not surprised she was recovering so well: “Just because she always had such a positive attitude, you know you get injured and if you don’t have that positive attitude there’s no goal to work for – there’s no end in sight. she has that positive attitude, she has something to work for, you know you just see it in her eyes.” – Deputy Sheriff, Jason Vinogradoff, Search & Rescue Team.
Sheriff Margaret Mims recognized the following promotions:
Assistant Sheriff: Robert Kandarian
Sheriff’s Captains: John Zanoni, Steve McComas
Sheriff’s Lieutenants: Matthew Alexander, Brent Stalker, Kevin Lolkus, Richard Wilhoite
Correctional Lieutenant: Kefer McCoy
Sheriff’s Sergeants: Jacob Jensen, Arley Terrence, Adam Esmay, Quintin Hawkins, David Pugliese
Correctional Sergeants: Cinthya Messick, Isaac Torres, Chris Garcia, Che Garcia, Marti Velasco, Roger Oliver
Sheriff’s Deputy IV: Robert McEwen, Scott Weishaar, Robert Carey, Philip Lodge, Hector Palma, Matthew Hamilton, Anthony Gomez, Mark Fam, David Rippe, Kenneth Kalar
Supervising Communications Dispatcher: Christopher Guerrero
Supervising Account Clerk II: Janice Stevens
Process Server: Cortney Garcia-Porta
Accountant I: Hesham Wahba
Sheriff Mims swore-in these newly hired employees:
Correctional Officers: Frank Acosta, Stephanie Aguilar, Jose Alanis, Joshua Anderson, Valerie Apodaca, Yazmin Arias, Krystal Avila, Jaimie Borton, Andrew Bratton, , Rene Cadena, Timo Campos, Jacob Cardiel, Edward Carrera, Jasmine Castro, Frank Chang, Michael Cornell, Michael Dugovic, Jennifer Eustaquio, Monique Gonzales, David Goodlad, Juan Guevara, Monique Harris, Ka Her, Ruddy Hernandez, Fanuel Herrer, Michael Keoniyom, Adam Kinney, Gustavo Leon, Maria Martinez, Jason Moore, Danielle Nava, Jasmine Nunez, Oliver Nunez, Jose Pantoja, Amanda Pena, Nicholas Perez, Serena Rangel, Ariana Rodriguez, Miguel Rodriguez, Adam Sayles, Thomas Scott, Brianna Simpson, Christine Tajra, Mario Torralva, Eric Valencia, David Vang, Robert Vang, Lucky Vue, Michael Wilson, Pheng Yang, Seth Yoshida
Deputy Sheriffs: Joe Calderon, Jorge Casillas, Raul Cervantez, Cortland Collins, Julia Costello, Jacob Cox, Aurelio Flores, Michael Fullhart, James Funk, Brennan Gowens, John Guzman, Garrett Harris, Cody Hense, Tyler Hitter, Joshua Hurd, Jamal Kaid, Karla Keeley, Kyle Kendrick, Garrett Majors, Jonas Motter, Victor Ortega, Edgar Orornio, Timothy Riordan, Glenda Rodriguez, Clifford Roland, Leonard Romero, Brett Salomonson, Larry Soto, Katlyn Thele, Eric Unruh, William Vander Poel, Monty Vito, Justin Williamson
Sheriff Margaret Mims recognized the following newly hired professional staff:
Communications Dispatcher I: Rachel Duff, Brooke Masters, Yvette Salas, Kateeshia Smith, Cathryn Wilkinson
Account Clerk III: Jennifer Burriel, Dora Kelly, Annette Rendon
Accountant Trainee: Hesham Wahba
Office Assistant III: Corine Shikaloff
Office Assistant I: Marianne Tello
Community Service Officer: David Fernandez, Amy Moreno, Stephen Pittmann
Social Worker III: Silvia Hernandez
Social Worker I: Catherine Ramirez
Program Technician I: Heze Maynard
Sheriff Mims presented awards to these employees service:
Deputy Todd Burk – Official Commendation (Achievement)
Deputy Michael Estrada – Official Commendation (Achievement)
Citizen Jose Sanchez – Official Commendation (Achievement)
Citizen Naomi Flam – Official Commendation (Achievement)
FSO Search and Rescue Team – Official Commendation (Achievement)
Deputy Joel Cobb – Official Commendation (Achievement)
Nancy Blajos – FSO 2015 Employee of the Year
