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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Police Honor Volunteers Help From Spokane Citizens Has ‘Calming Effect’ On Officers, Chief Says

Luke Timmerman Staff writer

The Spokane Police Department honored its outstanding citizen volunteers Thursday night.

About 150 people gathered in the City Council chambers to honor winners in the Explorer youth division, Cooperative Education, Reserve and Senior divisions.

“They have such a positive attitude, so many smiles, and they’re not rattled by anything,” acting Police Chief Roger Bragdon said of the volunteers. “It has a very calming effect on our officers.”

Gene LaLiberte, a 79-year-old retired Air Force sergeant major, received a standing ovation for being the lone member of the 2,000-hour club. He spends 45-50 hours per week volunteering for the department.

“If I just stayed home, I’d be dead in a year,” LaLiberte said. “This way I stay active, and it’s like a full-time job.”

LaLiberte coordinates calls for patrol officers, helps organize volunteer efforts for major events such as Bloomsday, and visits schoolchildren through the McGruff “Take a Bite Out of Crime” program.

Others honored Thursday included:

Explorers: 500-hour club - Kendra Ruddell, Sam Redington, Charlie McMichael, Dave Burgard, Jill Boardman, Hayley Anderson.

Explorer of the Year - Jill Boardman. Dedication award - Josh Roys. Leadership award - Charlie McMichael.

Co-op: 500-hour club - Matt Cowles. Leadership award - Erin Raleigh. Student of the Year - Teresa Habermann.

Reserves: 500-hour club - Doug Strosahl, Brad Nelson, Craig Hamilton, Griffin Criswell.

Leadership award - Walt Pegram. Top gun award - Brad Nelson, Craig Hamilton, Brian Best, Doug Strosahl. Reserve Officer of the Year - Griffin Criswell.

Seniors: 500-hour club - Lee Buhr, Vivian Burrell, Paul Christopher, Rhea Coble, Al Gilmore, Rosemary Hiller, Russ Hite, Robert Lass, Joyce Lenhart, Alpha Lokey, Ted Mantz, Joe Martinez, Glenn Merritt, Vi Molitch, Elmer Nikolaus, William Saylor, Arlie Thurman, Don Utley, Greg Zaccaria, Leah Zaccaria.

1,000-hour club - Joey Boletti, Bernard Fox, Hazel Vercruysse.

Leadership award - Russ Hite, Betty Hite, Greg Zaccaria, Leah Zaccaria.

10-year award - Vivian Burrell, Helen Corne, Charlie Mitson, Lorraine Schaffer, E’Kae Thomas, Jim Whitaker, Wil Leslie, Peggy Young. Sunshine award - Vivian Burrell.

The department has been honoring its volunteers for the past 10 years.

, DataTimes