Contact: Natan Pakman, 310.446.4228
Email: npakman@adl.org
Law Enforcement Personnel to be Honored for Combating Hate & Bigotry on March 10:
LAPD, OC Sheriff’s Department, FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office awarded prize for going above and beyond call of duty; first responders to Poway Chabad shooting attack also honored.
Los Angeles — ADL will confer the “Helene & Joseph Sherwood Family Prize for Combating Hate” to one individual and three law enforcement groups at an awards ceremony on March 10, 11:30 a.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
The Helene and Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate recognizes law enforcement activities during the past two calendar years that demonstrate relentless dedication to containing and minimizing the prevalence and severity of hate motivated behavior perpetrated in their communities, and performed with professionalism, effectiveness and visibility.
“In the 24 years this prize has been conferred, it has become one of the most prestigious awards in the law enforcement community,” said Chief Rob Handy of Huntington Beach PD, Chair of the Sherwood Prize Selection Committee.
“This year’s honorees have made creative and effective contributions to the fight against hate,” said Amanda Susskind, Director of ADL’s Los Angeles office. “This work merits being singled out for praise, especially now, as we see a rise in hate crimes and hate speech across the country.”
ADL will honor the following law enforcement personnel who have gone ‘above and beyond’ in their efforts to combat hate:
2020 INDIVIDUAL HONOREE
Detective Orlando Martinez
Los Angeles Police Department
Combatting bias, bigotry, and extremism, both proactively and reactively, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Orlando Martinez is a leading role model in his department and in the community in the fight against hate. As LAPD’s Hate Crimes Coordinator, Detective Martinez works vigorously to bring about change, awareness, and justice to those victimized by discrimination and hatred.
2020 GROUP HONOREES
Blaze Bernstein Murder Investigation
Orange County Sheriff’s Department
After the murder of 19-year-old college student, Blaze Bernstein, an openly gay and Jewish Orange County native, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department worked to investigate the murder as a possible hate crime. Detectives discovered the perpetrator allegedly belonged to a hate group known as the Atomwaffen Division, whose members and associates have been linked to violent crimes including murder and alleged plots to attack civilians, nuclear facilities and synagogues.
Federal Investigation and Prosecution of Ramona Gardens Firebombing Hate Crime
Federal Bureau of Investigation – Los Angeles Field Office, United States District Attorney’s Office – Central District of California
On Mother’s Day 2014, at the direction of the Mexican Mafia, gang members firebombed several apartments in a Ramona Gardens complex because the residents were African American. After almost six years of investigation and prosecution, the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office were able to bring all eight defendants to justice. The lead defendant is expected to receive almost twenty years in prison for his role in the attack.
Los Angeles Police Department Car Ramming Investigation
Los Angeles Police Department Criminal Investigation Section
Through diligent investigation and the use of subject matter experts, the Los Angeles Police Department Criminal Investigation Section brought to justice the perpetrator of an attempted car ramming of Jewish victims leaving a synagogue. A tremendous effort was put forth by LAPD CIS to ensure that this violent perpetrator, allegedly motivated in part by Islamist extremism, would be removed from the community for the maximum time allowed by law and prevented from committing acts of hate in the future.
First Responders to the Poway Chabad Shooting Attack
Federal Bureau of Investigation – San Diego Field Office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, Poway Fire Department, City of Poway – Office of the Mayor, Civilian Responders
On April 28, 2019, 6 months to the day after the most deadly anti-Semitic hate crime occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh killing 11 people, a gunman inspired by the previous terror attack and the same white supremacist ideology, walked into the Chabad of Poway and opened fire, killing one and injuring others. This award honors the bravery and quick response of numerous law enforcement personnel and civilians at the time of the attack, as well those behind the scenes who continue to investigate ongoing threats and safeguard our community.
The honorees were selected from many nominations received from throughout Southern California by the distinguished Sherwood Prize Selection Committee: Chair, Chief Rob Handy, Huntington Beach Police Department; Sheriff William Ayub, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department; Sheriff Donald Barns, Orange County Sheriff’s Department; Special Agent in Charge Carlos Canino, ATF, Los Angeles; Assistant Director in Charge Paul Delacourt, FBI, Los Angeles; Chief Mark Garrett, California Highway Patrol, Southern Division; Assistant Chief Beatrice Girmala, Los Angeles Police Department; Sheriff William Gore, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department; Chief Mike Hamel, Irvine Police Department; Chief Lori Lunhow, Santa Barbara Police Department; Chief Lyle Martin, Bakersfield Police Department; Interim Chief Eric McBride, San Bernardino Police Department; Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The Sherwood Prize was created in 1996 by Joe and Helene Sherwood, founders of family owned and operated Daniel’s Jewelers, to recognize those in the law enforcement community that go above and beyond their job descriptions in combating extremism, bigotry, and hatred.
The Helene and Joseph Sherwood Family Prize recognizes law enforcement officers, units, agencies or programs that:
- Demonstrate an outstanding commitment to combating extremism, bigotry and hatred by performing acts outside the normal scope of duties.
- Make an impact on victims of hate crimes or bias-motivated incidents.
- Provide opportunities for education to reduce hate crimes and bias motivated activity.
- Use innovative approaches to enforce or prosecute hate crime laws.
- Make a significant difference in their community and served as a role model for his or her agency.
Luncheon cost is $50 per person; Sponsorship cost is $200 and includes two luncheon tickets and name recognition on program. RSVP to ADL at 310-446-4227 or dwaintraub@adl.org or register here: https://bit.ly/2v7ERgC
ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org and la.adl.org.