Deputy Edgar Quintana of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station; Officer Matthew Oaks of the Newhall Station for the California Highway Patrol; Matthew Winters of the Los Angeles County Fire Department; and Pam Pernin of AMR were recognized for community service at the ceremony.
Quintana is a seven-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, patrolling the Santa Clarita Valley for the last four years of that time, gaining a reputation for his instinct, skill and humility, Sheriff’s Station officials said.
Since being assigned to patrol, Edgar has demonstrated that he has what it takes to be a good patrol officer, according to a Sheriff’s Station statement.
He and two other deputies were part of a patrol team chosen to make an impact in the Jakes Way area, after the city of Santa Clarita incorporated that portion of Canyon Country.
Winters is a firefighter who’s also the chaplain for Fire Station 107 on Soledad Canyon Road in Canyon Country.
He’s also the historian for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
“The recognition was at the Masonic Lodge, and (Oaks) was recognized by his peers as Officer of the Year (for the Newhall Station),” said CHP Spokesman John Lutz, noting that the award also was jointly recognized by the city of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County.
The recognition for Oaks was chosen in a vote of 85 of his uniformed peers, Lutz said.
Pernin was chosen due to her problems-solving ability and skill on the job, said Ron Cunningham, AMR spokesman, in an email.
“(Pernin) plays a large part in assuring that ambulances are on the road each day, and lives are saved,” Cunningham said. “In Santa Clarita, a day doesn’t go by that you do not hear ‘Talk to Pam,’ or ‘I have a problem, and need to talk to Pam.’”
Newhall Masons Honor First Responders for Service
