Chief Beck Honors Officers with Distinguished Purple Heart & Medal of Valor Awards for Heroism NA12078rf

WHAT:
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Charlie Beck will present the Department’s highest honors to 15 recipients at the “Above & Beyond” Medal of Valor and Purple Heart Awards Ceremony.  Returning as this year’s mistress of ceremonies will be acclaimed actress Jamie Lee Curtis who will vividly narrate and bring to life this year’s stories of heroism.

WHEN:
Thursday, May 10, 2012
11:30 a.m. Luncheon Begins
12:15 p.m. Awards Ceremony Begins

WHERE:
The Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland
6801 Hollywood Boulevard, 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028

WHO:
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck
2012 Medal of Valor Mistress of Ceremonies, Actress Jamie Lee Curtis
United States Attorney Andre Birotte
Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis Zine, Council District 3
Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar, Council District 14
Inspector General Alex Bustamante
Los Angeles Police Commissioner Richard Drooyan
Los Angeles Police Commissioner John Mack
Los Angeles Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman
Los Angeles Police Commission Executive Director Richard Tefank
Former Los Angeles Police Commissioner Alan Skobin
(currently a Los Angeles Fire Department Commissioner)
Los Angeles Police Foundation Executive Director Cecilia Glassman

2012 Medal of Valor Recipients:
Detective Craig Marquez
Officer Kevin Cotter
Officer Fernando Sanchez
Officer Alejandro Valencia

2012 Purple Heart Recipients:
Sergeant Michael Flanagan
Sergeant Stacy Lim
Officer Franck Peter
Detective Lovie Nettles (retired)
Detective Norman Eckles (awarded posthumously)
Officer James Veenstra (retired)
Officer Felix Vera (retired)
Officer Jack Storey (awarded posthumously)
Officer Joseph Ortega (awarded posthumously)
Officer Oscar Joel Bryant (awarded posthumously)

WHY:
To honor exceptional bravery and heroism demonstrated by LAPD officers.

ADDITIONAL:
The Los Angeles Police Foundation will host the “Above & Beyond Ceremony” and it is the largest source of private funding for the LAPD.  The Foundation’s mission is to create partnerships to provide resources and programs that help the police.  For more information regarding the Foundation, please visit: www.lapolicefoundation.org, or call 213-489-4636.

Some Medal of Valor honorees will be available for print and broadcast interviews prior to the awards ceremony on Thursday, May 10, 2012.  Please contact Management Analyst Richard French, LAPD Media Relations Section at N3402@lapd.lacity.org or 213-486-5915, or Police Officer Sara Faden at 30761@lapd.lacity.org, or 213-486-5919.

CONTACT:
For more information, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.