By Dr. Luis S Gonzalez
Contributing Writer
04/02/2025 at 03:41 PM
On March 20, the Colton Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Anthony Vega and Captain Greg Castillo, took a well-deserved pause from their daily duties to recognize twenty-six individuals for their outstanding service to the Department, and to the City of Colton.
Dozens of families, friends, supporters and city staff members attended the annual event which was held at the Colton First Assembly of God Church. After the ceremony a reception was held in the Fellowship Hall.
The men and women who were recognized are not only “hometown heroes” for protecting our streets, neighborhoods and facilities, they are also citizens, residents, spouses, parents, and even sons and daughters to our older population. They have a difficult job and put their life, and well-being on the line each and every day. Their goal is “to serve and to protect,” says Chief Vega, who
ensured the specific accomplishments and heroic actions taken by these individuals were publicly mentioned. Lieutenant Rob Wilson, welcomed everyone to the ceremony, introduced elected officials, and served as moderator.
The event was well-attended and included an Invocation by Chaplain Eric Strutz, the Pledge of Allegiance by Lieutenant Wilson, and the Presentation of Colors by the Colton Police Department Honor Guard.
The award presentations were announced by Lieutenant Wilson, and presented by Chief Vega and Captain Greg Castillo. The major award recipients were;
Animal Service Officer Brittany Whitman; Professional Staff of the Year 2024 Brittany Whitman has served for a year and a half as an ASO and has shown exceptional growth, commitment, and professionalism in her role. She consistently seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge by networking with allied agencies and engaging with colleagues to deepen her understanding of relevant laws and ordinances. In addition to her regular responsibilities, Brittany has made significant efforts to reunite lost animals with their owners, which has notably reduced shelter populations, showcasing her compassion and initiative. She frequently takes on extra shifts during weekends to assist with animal service calls, allowing patrol officers to concentrate on their primary duties. Her positive and professional relationships with the public and her colleagues—including code enforcement officers, community service officers, and police officers—distinguish her as a valued team player.
Senior Police Dispatcher Kimberley George; Dispatcher of the Year Since joining the department on February 6, 2006, Kim George has shown exceptional dedication to the dispatch center. Throughout her impressive career, she has consistently prioritized the well-being of her colleagues and the overall success of her team. Kim works diligently during her scheduled shifts and frequently volunteers for additional hours, allowing her teammates to rest or take much-needed vacations. Kim has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth by engaging in a variety of supervisory courses. Notably, she completed an extensive 80-hour supervisory training program and received specialized instruction in dispatch stress management tailored for supervisors. As a result of these educational initiatives, Kim has enhanced her leadership skills, establishing herself as a reliable, loyal, and approachable dispatch lead who is a significant resource for her team. As a Communications Training Officer, she was also responsible for mentoring a new trainee, utilizing her extensive knowledge and experience to help establish a strong foundational skill set for the newcomer. Her selflessness, expertise, and relentless work ethic inspire everyone around her. Kim has consistently demonstrated that hard work, dedication, and a spirit of service can truly make a difference.
Nilda Campos; Officer of the Year 2024 The Officer of the Year award for 2024 goes to Nilda Campos. Officer Campos has consistently gone above and beyond in her role within the Patrol Division, showcasing extraordinary dedication and creativity. She has transformed our department's social media presence into a dynamic platform that not only highlights our achievements but also fosters transparency and cultivates trust within the community. Officer Campos has also been a pivotal force behind a variety of successful community events, including the engaging National Night Out, the heartwarming Carve a pumpkin with a Cop, and the impactful Walk Life and MADD 5K. These events have brought officers and residents together and built lasting relationships and demonstrated our department's unwavering commitment to public service. She also proudly serves on the honor guard and contributes to the Employee Wellness team, advocating for her colleagues' mental and physical well-being. She is known for her infectious positivity and collaborative spirit; she is respected by her peers and is a true inspiration. Officer Campos exemplifies our department's core values through her tireless efforts, unwavering professionalism, and genuine passion for her work.
Michael Brunelle; Volunteer of the Year 2024 Michael Brunelle has been a Citizen Volunteer with the Colton Police Department for an impressive 16 years. As a dedicated resident of Colton, Michael has consistently demonstrated his passion for giving back to his community. His commitment to both the department and the community is truly admirable and deserving of recognition. Over the past year alone, Michael has selflessly volunteered approximately 100 hours of his time to our organization. Whether assisting with community events, providing proactive, visible enforcement, supporting critical incidents, or conducting welfare checks, Michael’s contributions have been instrumental in allowing patrol officers to respond to emergency calls. His reliability and willingness to step in during crucial moments are invaluable to our team. In addition to his regular duties, Michael serves as a Citizen Volunteer trainer, a role he approaches with pride and responsibility His selfless hours and enduring efforts make him a shining example of what it means to serve.
Officer Jonathan Villalobos and Officer Alyssa Jacobson; MADD Award (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) This year, the Colton Police Department proud to celebrate two officers who have demonstrated remarkable achievements. To qualify for this award, an officer must make at least 25 DUI arrests, reflecting their steadfast focus on safeguarding our roads and communities. First, we congratulate Officer Johnathan Villalobos, who achieved an impressive 31 DUI arrests, and then we have Officer Alyssa Jacobson, who reached the qualifying mark with 25 DUI arrests, for 2024. Their outstanding efforts in reducing impaired driving and promoting safety have make a positive impact on our community.
Additional awards included the following; Meritorious Service Award
Retired Chief Tim Heusterberg, Retired Sergeant Robert Vega and Retired Officer Erik
Reynolds
Life Saving Medal
Officer Edgar Perez, Officer Rafael Perez and Officer Jonathan Villalobos
Chief’s Commendation
Officer Felipe Leyva, Officer Ezequiel Tinoco, Officer Daniel Estrada, Records Clerk Alise
Smith
Unit Citation (platoon 4 – night shift) Sergeant Michael Farcas, Corporal Paul Grimes, Officer Daniel Muro, Officer Brian
Jipp, Officer David Perez, Officer Robert Henderson, Officer Leandrew Banks,
Dispatcher Victoria Blesch and Dispatcher Rocio Mull
The Colton Police Department is certainly proud to recognize all of our employees and we would like to congratulate the members who were presented with these special awards. We sure have great officers and staff who do a great job and care about our city.
