LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin and Cal Fire Battalion Chief Michael Wink were recognized as 2016 Public Safety Heroes of the Year for Lake County by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson at a Saturday ceremony held in Vallejo.
This award is given to one law enforcement officer and one first responder from each of the five counties that make up the Fifth Congressional District.
“Sheriff Martin has a long and admirable track record of public service,” said Thompson. “After enlisting in the U.S. Army Military Police in 1992, Sheriff Martin served as a paratrooper, a team leader and sniper, and as deputy sheriff, sergeant and lieutenant in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. His work during the devastating fire season of 2015 was especially heroic, as he oversaw the evacuation of nearly 20,000 people in response to the historic Valley fire.”
“Battalion Chief Wink expertly managed a large team and acted quickly and effectively to put out both the Clayton and Valley fires,” said Thompson.
Thompson said Wink is owed a great deal of gratitude, “as he put his life on the line to protect both the people of Lake County and as many homes and businesses as possible. His work undoubtedly limited the damage to Lake County during those devastating fires.”
“I’m proud to recognize both Sheriff Martin and Battalion Chief Wink today as Public Safety Heroes of the Year for Lake County,” Thompson said at the Saturday event.
The full list of the 2016 Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the Fifth Congressional District is below:
· Firefighter Marcus Faumui of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Department.
· Officer Greg Sanchez of the Hercules Police Department.
· Sheriff Brian Martin of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
· Cal Fire Battalion Chief Michael Wink.
· Firefighter and paramedic Cesar Lopez of the City of Napa Fire Department.
· Officer Luis Paniagua of the Calistoga Police Department.
· Sgt. Brenton Garrick of the Vallejo Police Department.
· Fire Capt. Melissa Leitzke of the Vallejo Fire Department.
· Officer Cecile Focha of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
· Christina Gossner, Paramedic with American Medical Response (AMR) Sonoma.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.