Heroes Honored In Indian Wells
The Coachella Valley honored everyday heroes at the annual Peace Officer and Public Awards held at the Hyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells. Police officers, sheriff deputies and firefighters were all honored… like officer Simon Min.
Min is no stranger to awards. He’s won awards for making a series of DUI arrests. Now a detective, he’s the Palm Springs Police Department’s officer of the year.
“Great honor to be recognized. It gives me great motivation to work harder,” said Min.
He’s complied quite a resume over the past two years. He led several high profile investigations, like the arrest of 27 year old Brandon Adams, accused of kidnapping actor 37 year old Jeremy London in Palm Springs on June 10th. Min also investigated convicted murderer Dale Farquar.
But his public safety award is for his work on the Cliff Lambert murder case.Four men are on trial for killing the Palm Springs Retiree and steal his money late last year.
“It’s important because if you lose the initial stages of the investigation, then you have to play catch-up later on and that’s even more difficult,” said Min
Min estimates it’s hundreds of hours of investigation, which he said is nothing uncommon for many in law enforcement. He said he’s grateful to have an understanding family.
“Their support is just overwhelming and it helps because I don’t have to think about that when I’m going out and doing my job, trying to follow up leads, locate suspects or doing what I have to do,” said Min.
The event also honored everyday people who went above and beyond to help save lives.
Like Ruthanne Phillips.
Phillips accepted the la Quinta Police Department’s Citizen Assist award almost a year after she helped save a woman from bleeding to death.
“I thought she had painted her body. I didn’t realize it was blood until she came to my car,” said Phillips.
The woman’s boyfriend allegedly stabbed her 45 times. Phillips, a nurse, helped control the bleeding until help arrived.
“I’ve never felt so helpless because I couldn’t give her oxygen, I couldn’t give her blood, I had no bandages, I really had nothing but prayer and my two hands and some beach towels,” said Phillips.
Like many of her fellow honorees, Phillips didn’t let fear stop her from helping.
“It appeared that a lot of the people in the neighborhood were frightened they didn’t not want to help me come and assist her and I just want to say to them that, please don’t let fear stop you from helping someone,” said Phillips.
