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Frank Balkcom, Sr., Lieutenant
Glendale Police Department, Arizona
2003 Officer of the Year
Lieutenant Frank Balkcom Sr.
Glendale Police Department has worked in Glendale Arizona, for over twenty
years. Frank has worked in Patrol Division, Undercover Detective, Tactical
Operations Unit, Community Housing Officer, and as a Supervisor in the General
Investigations Bureau, Training Sgt at the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy ,
Sector Lieutenant in the West and Central Patrol Sectors. Frank was raised and
educated in Glendale Arizona. Frank has a B.S. in Public Safety from Grand
Canyon University and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern
Arizona University.
Frank served four years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps and has
over 29 years of service in the Marine Corps Reserve. Frank is a Master Sergeant
in the Marine Corps Reserve and was activated during Operation Desert Storm/
Desert Shield. Frank and his son Lance Corporal Zachary L. Balkcom recently
served together in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Frank was assigned to the I Marine
Expeditionary Force and deployed to Iraq.
Frank Balkcom had devoted hundreds of hours as the Maricopa County Chapter
President of the NLPOA and is currently the NLPOA, State of Arizona, President.
Frank Balkcom has been involved in numerous and various community and volunteer
activities including coaching little league baseball, basketball and football
for last 11 years in the City of Glendale. Frank has also been involved in the
listed activities.
Created and coordinated a Youth mentoring Program and Community Outreach Program
with the Glendale Community Center.
Has been a DARE Graduation Guest Speaker. Volunteers with Los Compaders Elderly
Program. Coordinated fingerprinting and Child Safety Fair for over 300 kids in
the metro Phoenix Area. Coordinated and volunteered at the Heart Of Glendale,
Yearly Christmas Party and Gift give away. Volunteer on City of Glendale
Community Action Program State of Arizona Racial Profiling Committee Child Car
Seat Inspection Coordinator for NLPOA Chapter
Assisted in serving Christmas Dinners at the Phoenix Housing Projects for
Elderly.
Frank has been responsible for keeping over 500 kids off the streets as a result
of his mentoring efforts and field trips, which included a trip to the Arizona
Law Enforcement Academy. Los Compaders members were used as chaperones. Frank
continues to be a positive role model, which has been re- enforced by his
commitment to community service and service to the community.
Former City of Glendale Mayor George Renner, Ocotillo Neighborhood Association
President John Flores and Community Action Program Director, Norma Alvarez
nominated Frank for the 1993 Hon Kachina Volunteer Award for his community
service.
Frank received a Joint Meritorious Service Award for his service with the Joint
War fighting Center, Joint Forces Command, Suffolk Virginia, during September 11,
2001.
Frank has received the listed Military Awards:
National Defense Service Medal (3rd Award)
Army Achievement Medal,
Armed Forces Service Medal
Navy Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal,
Kuwait Liberation Medal,
Saudi Arabia Service Medal,
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Activation Device (2nd Award)
Good Conduct Medal,
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon,
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award)
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal
Community Service Membership:
Glendale Development Advisory Board, Community Action Program
Glendale Cultural Commission Board
American Legion Post # 12
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Delinquency Control Institute life member.
U.S. Marine Corp Reserve
Community Service Awards:
Lifesaving Award (1996); Recommendation for Medal of Valor (1995);
Westmarc, Best of the West Community Policing Award (1993),
Law Officer of the Year (1992),
Police Officer of the Year (1991),
City of Glendale, Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteerism
Channel 12 child Car Seat Inspector Commendation (2nd Award)
Military Outstanding Service Medal
Frank and his wife Ruth have four sons, Frank Jr., Eli Mark, Zachary Lee, and Ted
as well as three granddaughters.
Lieutenant Croce “Al” Casciato
2002 Officer of the Year
Lieutenant Croce “Al” Casciato was born in San Francisco to Croce Casciato of
Italy and Isabel Guardado of
El Salvador. He was raised and educated in San
Francisco. Al served his country in the U.S. Navy. On his 21st birthday, he was
sworn into the San Francisco Police Department. He holds a B.A. degree in
Urban Studies from San Francisco State University, and is a graduate of the FBI
National Academy. Al Casciato is a charter member of the San Francisco
chapter of the LPOA. He is a past president of the San Francisco chapter,
and has been a member of the executive board for over 20 years.
Lt. Casciato has
made significant contributions to the community, to the LPOA, and the San
Francisco Police Department. He constantly demonstrates exemplary actions
and leadership skills. In 1979, Casciato was a driving force in the San
Francisco’s very first minority
recruitment effort. He recruited many Latinos into the San Francisco Police
Department, many of whom are now reaching important positions within the
Department. His efforts were the very
beginning of the SFPD’s long and resistant struggle to attain ethnic diversity.
In the very early days of the San Francisco chapter of the NLPOA, Al wrote and
walked through a city ordinance which allowed NLPOA dues to be collected through
payroll deduction. This
was a major boost for a young chapter struggling to achieve financial security.
A short time later, the San Francisco Housing Authority Police were informed
that they were going to be disbanded. The housing police consisted mostly of
minority officers. Alarmed at the injustice being proposed, Al Casciato,
again acted. This time he caused an amendment to the city charter to appear
before the San Francisco voters. Largely through his efforts, the voters passed
the charter amendment and the housing officers were absorbed into the San
Francisco Police Department. Because of his effort, a gross in justice was
averted,
and the San Francisco chapter gained over 20 new members.
Over the years, Al Casciato was the
driving force behind many of the community programs in which the San
Francisco chapter of the NLPOA participated. For many years, the chapter
worked in voter registration drives in the Latino community of San Francisco. Al
guided the chapter’s support of a movement which resulted in the hard
fought placement of a community college campus in the Mission District
(Latino community), which made it much easier for the residents to further
their education. When there was a sudden rash of youth gang violence in
the Mission District, Al immediately put together a group of Spanish-speaking
chapter members to mentor the young Spanish-speaking gang members. It was
a very effective program. Al worked very hard for the establishment of an
organized
day labor program to assist immigrants find day labor and to prevent
them from being victimized. His efforts were also critical in the foundation of
a
women’s alcoholism center in the Mission District. During the many years
that the San Francisco Police Department was under a federal consent decree, Al
attended literally hundreds of meetings to assure equitable treatment and
representation of Latinos at the entry level of the SFPD, and during the
promotion process.
Many Latinos in the San Francisco Police Department owe
their promotion in large part to Al’s, watchfulness and tenacity.
Al Casciato
has also served for many years on the San Francisco retirement board. As a
member of the unpaid board, Al has been a dogged advocate for benefits for
all San Francisco city employees. He has also been a member of, or been
associated
with, the Latinos Issues Forum, Latino Steering Committee, Arriba
Juntos, Real Alternatives Program, the Latino Democratic Club and the Mission
Coalition. Croce “Al” Casciato has spent the last quarter of century working
toward the
establishment and improvement of the San Francisco chapter of the NLPOA. He
has spent his adult life fighting prejudice and discrimination and assuring the
equitable treatment of everyone, police officers and community members alike.
Lt. Croce “Al” Casciato is a 31-year veteran of the San Francisco Police
Department, assigned to the Traffic Company Motorcycle Unit. He is married
to the lovely Maritza Zamora.
They have two children, daughter, Melissa, 25, and
son, Alexis, 23.
Richard Agundez, Jr., San Diego School Resource Officer
2001 Officer of the Year
On March 22, 2001, El Cajon Police agent Richard Agundez, Jr.
was on duty as a School Resource Officer assigned to Granite Hills High school,
California. agent Agundez responded to sounds of gunfire and subsequently
encountered the suspect, Jason Hoffman. a gunfight ensued, during which Hoffman
was seriously wounded in the face and body. Subsequent investigation found a
round from Agent Agundez' pistol also hit and disabled the shotgun that Hoffman
had used to wound others.
Agent Agundez, Jr. saved the lives of many students and staff. He is honored for
his bravery, valor, and commitment to the people he serves. Richard Agundez is a
Past President of the San Diego County Chapter of the NLPOA and currently sits
as the Chapter Second Vice-President. He has been selected SWAT Officer of the
Year (1998), Officer of the Year (1999) , and he has received one Life Saving
Award and two Meritorious Service Awards for his community work with youth.
Gabe Cervantes, Oakland Police Department
2000 Officer of the Year
Officer Gabe Cervantez is a native Californian who served his country in the
United States Marines Corp., where he served as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor
and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1980. He then joined the
Oakland Police Department and worked Patrol, the Narcotic Task Force Division
and Special Operations. He is currently in charge of the Reserves where he
recruits, trains, and prepares budgets for the entire section which is
authorized seventy-two officers.
Officer Cervantez joined the National Latino Peace Officers
Association, Alameda Chapter in 1985 and, for his dedication to the LPOA and the
community, was elected and re-elected Chapter President from 1993 to 1997.
In 1994 he was elected to the California State Board as the Executive Vice
President.
As President of the Alameda Chapter, he established a Hot
Meal Program for the poor in the community during the Christmas Holidays. He
and members of the Alameda Chapter gave up their Christmas Eve to deliver meals,
along with whatever goods they could be raised, to provide the needy families.
Officer Cervantez established a Toy give-A-Way during
the Christmas season for the children who may have had to do with-out. It was so
successful that three major televisions stations covered the event during it
initiation, and the LPOA is designing a recruiting film using this event as an
example of its programs.
Officer Cervantez obtained sponsors to enable the Alameda
Chapter to establish programs for the community, such as the Turkey
Give-A-Way Program for the poor, the Alameda Chapter Youth Soccer Team,
and the Summer Camp Program for children. During his terms as president
his fund raising efforts resulted in twenty students receiving scholarships to
assist them in their educational endeavors.
Officer Cervantez has received numerous awards and
recognitions for his dedicated service to the Latino Community. He received the
Medal of Valor from the Oakland Chief of Police Joseph Samuels, for exemplifying
the highest of police standards and a total regard for the public safety. On
October 11, 2000, Sergeant Thomas F. Hogenmiller nominated Gave for the Medal of
Merit, for rescuing a drowning fellow officer.
On September 29, 2001
Officer Cervantez received the Medal of Merit, from the Oakland Police
Department.
(From right to left) Chief Richard Word, Officer Cervantez and his son,
Officer Robert Sayaphnpwa and daughters, and Officer Lau Silva.
On August 24, 2001
Officer Cervantez awarded "Reserve Coordinator of the Year, by the State Of
California.
The award was presented by Special Operations Commander Captain Franklin Lowe.
Officer Jose Viera (right), Kansas City Police Department, Missouri
Officer Viera was selected for his life saving service to the community.
1999 Officer of the Year
Houston Police Department, Texas -
Chicano Homicide Squad
The Chicano Homicide Squad was selected for their
dedication and excellence in service.
from
Left to Right - Sgt. Cecil T. Mosqueda; Sgt. Jose Selvera, Jr.; Sgt. Toby R.
Hernandez; Officer David S. Vasquez, Jr.; Officer Xavier Avila; Governor George
W. Bush (Center); Officer Jaime L Escalante; Officer Phillip J. Guerrero;
Officer Leroy Benavidez; Officer Tino Martinez; Officer Hector Riojas; Officer
Macario Sosa; Officer Heraclio A. Chavez; and Lt. Murray J. Smith.
1998 Officer of the Year
Officer Saul Martinez, California Highway Patrol.
Officer Saul Martinez was killed in the line of duty in 1997.
1997 Officer of the Year
Officers Saul Martinez
and James D. Rice, paired on graveyard shift, were investigating a vehicle
parked on the shoulder of a road north of Palm Springs. An oncoming car,
traveling more than 15 feet off the roadway, barreled down on the two officers.
Martinez shoved his partner to safety, only to be struck and critically injured
himself. The 39-year-old officer died eight days later without regaining
consciousness. Martinez, a seven-year member of the Patrol, had just been named
"Latino Peace Officer of the Year" for San Bernardino and Riverside Counties in
recognition of his outstanding service in "El Protector," a CHP traffic and
safety program for the Latino community. Governor Pete Wilson posthumously
presented him with the "Medal of Valor", the state's highest award, in
recognition of his heroism. The Coachella Valley School District, in an
unprecedented action, voted to name a new elementary school in his honor.
Misdemeanor manslaughter charges were filed against the driver who struck and
killed Officer Martinez.
Officer Tom Zamora (center), Kansas City Police Department, Missouri
Officer Zamora was selected for his excellence in service of the community.
1996 Officer of the Year
Officer Raul Elizondo, North Las Vegas Police Department, Nevada
Officer Elizondo was killed in the line of duty on January 30, 1995
1995 Officer of the Year
January 30, 1995
North Las Vegas, Nevada Police Officer
Killed in the Line of Duty.
North Las Vegas, Nevada Police Officer Raul
Elizondo was killed at dawn Monday after a man wrestled the officer's gun away
from him, shooting and killing Officer Raul Elizondo. The bullet that killed
Officer Raul Elizondo, 27, tore between the seams of his bulletproof vest,
leaving him with a fatal wound on the left side of his torso. Elizondo, who had
about 90 minutes left on his shift, was taken to University Medical Center where
he died at 6:25 a.m.
...After Officer Elizondo was shot, he was able
to radio for emergency assistance. Within seconds, seven officers were on the
scene. Six of the assisting officers chased the gunman, while another officer
stayed with Officer Elizondo until an ambulance arrived. The man fled, where he
found himself trapped by a patrol car blocking his path on one side and officers
closing in on foot on the other. The assailant came within two or three feet of
the car and fired several shots, shattering the front windows on the driver and
passenger sides. The assailant then walked about 20 yards away from the car and
shot himself once in the head. He died immediately.
In his memory, an elementary school in North Las
Vegas, Nevada was named after Officer Raul Elizondo. The local chapter also
grants college scholarships in the Officer Elizondo's name.
1989 Officers Year Award
Luis Flores (Fresno PD), Alex Cruz (Kansas City,
MO PD), Darrell Pena (Ft. Worth PD)
1988 Officer of the Year
Roberto Avila, Officer
Oakland Police Department, CA
Alexander
Cruz
1987 NLPOA
Officer of the Year
Kansas City Police Department, MO
Chosen for meritorious service and
excellence
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