Actor Edward James Olmos to Narrate Annual Medal of Valor Luncheon to Honor LA’s Finest

"Actor Edward James Olmos to Narrate Annual Medal of Valor Luncheon to Honor LA’s Finest"
 
Los Angeles: Famed Actor, Edward James Olmos, star of hit television series "American Family," will narrate the 43rd Annual Medal of Valor Awards Luncheon on Thursday, September 5, 2002, at 11:00 a.m. at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, located at Downtown Los Angeles.
Six Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Officers and Maxx, a retired K-9 search dog, will be honored at the event, hosted by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the LAPD, and sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.
Mr. Olmos will narrate the incident reports of the Medal of Valor recipients, who include four K-9 Unit officers from the Department’s Metropolitan Division, who survived a fierce gun battle with a shooting suspects. Those officers are Sergeant Scott DeFoe, Officer Gina Holmstrom, Officer Brian O’Hara and Officer David Stambaugh. Their lead dog, Maxx, a Belgian Malinois, is retired and will receive a certificate of recognition. Two officers from the LAPD’s Newton Division will also be honored for rescuing two victims from a burning van. Those officers are Officer Juan Gonzalez and his partner Officer Ray Olivas.
"Our Medal of Valor recipients are an exceptional group of officers who characterize the courage and bravery of true heroes," said LAPD Chief of Police Martin H. Pomeroy.
Wells Fargo is the title sponsor for this event. Other sponsors include the Automobile Club of Southern California, American Honda Motor Company Inc., British Petroleum, Caruso Affiliated Holdings, The Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, Entertainment Industry Development Corporation, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, Orthopedic Hospital and United Parcel Service.
A news conference/photo opportunity is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. prior to the ceremony.
Photos and biographies of the Medal of Valor recipients will be available at the press conference. Please direct further inquiries regarding this event to Officer Joe Buscaino, Public Affairs Section, 213-485-3281.