Police officers honored, feted

Thomas U. Wall was named Officer of the Year and Larry Wohrman Civilian of the Year during the Exchange Club of Laguna Beach’s annual banquet May 25 honoring the city’s police.

“Each member of our department was given the opportunity to identify the top employee from each of our two work groups: our professional civilian staff and our peace officer staff,” Police Chief Mike Sellers said.

Wall, a 61-year-old reserve officer, has been with the department for eight years.

Serving in Laguna for 25 hours every weekend, Wall spends most of his workweek as a security leader for a Fortune 100 company.

“This has been a labor of love,” he said of his police duties.

Wall may be best known in town for using a decibel meter to clamp down on noisy motorcyclists.

A retired combat aviator, Wall believes 20 years of experience in the Marine Corps gives him a keen mental edge.

“We have a responsibility to the community,” he said. “Discipline is essential. You can make it a good day or a bad day. You either see things as a challenge or a road block.”

“At the end of a long summer day when you’re on foot and you come across someone with a bad attitude, it can be unnerving. We must always provide a high level of example,” he said.

Wall is credited with more than 1,000 combat missions in Vietnam.

“The only holiday I take off is Veteran’s Day ? I deserve that one,” Wall said.

Wall is also active with the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, the Irvine Valley College Foundation, the Saddleback Community College District Foundation and the Orange County Commercial Industrial Development Assn.

His academic degrees include a bachelor’s in arts and science and a master’s degree in business, communication theory and management and systems management.

“Tom has truly spent his whole life in civil service,” Capt. Paul Wohrman said. “He’s a great role model for our younger officers.”

Wohrman is a special services officer who joined the police department in 2003.

“I’m extremely honored by this,” Wohrman said. “I’m just a guy who comes to work everyday and tries to do the best he can.”

Wohrman is credited with keeping the department’s 38 cars, trucks and trailers in top shape.

Thought of by his peers as friendly and energetic, the 42-year-old Wohrman has the responsibility of maintaining the department’s vehicles, computers and supplies.

Citizens on Patrol Service Commendations went to Tony Dallendorfer, Irv Kaufman, Ramona Loucks, Jay Rubin, Hal Werthe and Brent Wagner.

The Lifesaving Medal was awarded to reserve officer Lance Larson for saving the life of a motorcyclist thrown 90 feet in an accident at Coast Highway and Main Beach.

The Medal of Courage went to officer Robert Van Gorder and Division Fire Chief Jeff La Tendresse for rescuing an elderly couple during last June’s landslide.

The Medal of Merit was awarded to Det. Sgt. Darin Lenyi, Det. Zach Martinez and reserve officer Lance Larson for work in setting up an Internet sting operation that led to the arrests of accused child predators.

The Medal of Merit was also awarded to Det. Joe Torres for his work as a liaison between slide victims and relief resources.

Ribbons of Commendation were awarded to Capt. Danell Adams, Officer Tony White, Det. Andrew Ross, Det. Debbie Kelso, Det. Ted Falencki, Det. Bill Cindel and Det. Joe Torres. Reserve officer Scarlett Treviso, dispatcher Jennifer Neuenschwander, citizen on patrol Brent Wagner, animal services officer Joy Falk, animal services officer David Pietrarila and animal services officer John Thompson.

Reserve Services Commendations were given to reserve officer Ted Brunner, reserve officer Lance Larson and reserve officer Ben Teschner.

Special Appreciation Awards were given to Deputy Dist. Atty. Nicole Nicholson, Atilla Mathe of Adaptive Digital Systems, Cpl. Moises Visoso of the U.S. Marine Corps. And Lance Cpl. Savak Minassianchaharmlehali of the Marines Corps.

Special Operations Ribbons for Distinguished Service were awarded to 107 police employees and 37 fire department employees for actions during the landslide.

The event was held at the Montage Resort & Spa.