News

Officers & firefighters honored for service

Published October 5, 2018 6:45 AM

The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 22nd Annual Peace Officer & Public Safety Awards Luncheon at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert.

“This is an awesome event and it’s awesome to be recognized,” said Palm Desert Fire Battalian Chief Bryan White, who was among the recipients of the Palm Desert Firefighter of the Year award. “For us it was just another day at the office but I can see — it was something a little out of the ordinary. “

White and his team helped save a boy from an elevator that had reached 135 degrees on the Fourth of July.

One of the other noteworthy awards given out at the luncheon was to PSPD Officer Alex Doherty, who was given the honor of Officer of the Year. Doherty’s exceptional work can be well exemplified by his impressive DUI arrest numbers; he has over 150 under his belt.

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Last year at the event, 64 brave local heroes were recognized, each receiving an award for their outstanding community service. For the first time last year, a special fallen heroes segment was included to honor the men and women we, unfortunately, lost the previous year. That segment is expected to be continued this year as well.

“I see how much this means to our first responders, their families, and to the community. This event is a big deal, said Vanessa Mager, Director of Events at the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. “These honorees and their families deserve the upmost respect.”

Today I’m covering the 22nd Annual Peace Officer & Public Safety Awards Luncheon which recognizes emergency personnel from across the Coachella Valley, including a fallen heroes segment honoring the men and women lost the previous year.
⬇️Follow along with my coverage here⬇️

— Jake Ingrassia (@JakeKESQ) October 4, 2018