SAN DIEGO –On Thursday, May 16th, 2013 the Burn Institute recognized the positive people that make a difference in the lives of others as the organization celebrated 24 local heroes at its Annual Spirit of Courage Awards Banquet.
Each year, the Burn Institute pays tribute to individuals in the community who have risked their lives in an effort to save another from burn injury or death by fire. Over the past four decades, nearly 650 local heroes, including civilians, fire service and law enforcement professionals, have been honored with the highly-coveted award.
“These courageous individuals put their own safety aside to help someone they have never met,” said Chief Scott Walker (ret.), Burn Institute Interim Executive Director. “They are heroes in the truest sense.”
This year’s banquet was held at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. Nearly 400 guests attended, including a heavy representation from the fire service, law enforcement agencies, government officials and corporate leaders. Our emcee for the evening was Broadcast Journalist Bridget Naso (KUSI News). The evening began with a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., followed by the awards presentation at 8 p.m. Spirit of Courage 2013 was hosted by San Diego City Firefighters Local 145 and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Tribe.
The following are this year’s recipients:
• Agent Joshua Kipp (U.S. Border Patrol)
• Agent Marco Aguilera (U.S. Border Patrol)
• Agent Genaro Torres (U.S. Border Patrol)
• Corporal Robert Cardenas (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Corporal Marisela Lozano (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Corporal Jaime Guzman (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Officer Jesse Ochoa (San Diego Police Department)
• Officer Christopher Hays (San Diego Police Department)
• Officer William Yoder (San Diego Police Department)
• Officer Nick Nunez (Oceanside Police Deparment)
• Officer Larry Weber (Oceanside Police Department)
• Todd Cameron (La Mesa Resident)
• Gary Cameron (La Mesa Resident)
• Officer Diana Hodges (San Diego Police Department)
• Sergant Brian Nevins (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Lieutenant Mike Knobbe (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy Elizabeth Arana (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy Garner Davis (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy Luke Cully (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy Richard Meharg (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy Kenneth Feistel (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy Kenneth Seel (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy Tim Zacharzuk (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy Michael Hettinger (San Diego County Sheriff’s Department)
Also honored was former Deputy Fire Chief, Denny Neville who was awarded the County Fire Chiefs’ Association (SDCFCA) prestigious Maltese Award. Neville was recognized for his outstanding efforts to improve communications interoperability for regional first responders.
In addition, the Burn Institute’s 201 3Community Hero Award was presented to the
Change A Life Foundation, and the Institute’s Pamela R. Kelly Volunteer of the Year Award went Deputy Fire Marshal, Adam Beardsley of Heartland Fire & Rescue.
The Burn Institute is a nonprofit health agency dedicated to reducing the number of burn injuries and deaths in San Diego, Imperial and San Bernardino counties through fire and burn prevention education, burn care research and treatment, and burn survivor support services.
