Merced County honors law enforcement officers of the year

A dozen Merced County law enforcement officials were honored recently for their work keeping the public safe and were selected as the officers of the year by their departments.

Awards were handed out Wednesday during the annual ceremony and dinner at the American Legion Hall in downtown Merced.

Pat Lunney, chief of investigations for the Merced County District Attorney’s Office, noted law enforcement has received nationwide criticism over the past year and said the ceremony is a reminder of the dedication and honesty shared by the majority of law enforcement officials.

“It’s important to recognize the very best that we have and to remember that they believe in doing the right thing, not because someone is watching or because someone is recording them on a cellphone, but because it’s the right thing to do,” Lunney told the crowd of more than 100.

Atwater Police Department, Officer William Martin

Martin has been an Atwater officer for 15 years. He was praised for his strong work ethic and willingness to help his co-workers. Martin serves as the department’s school resource officer and took on extra work in 2014 when the police force lost two other school officers.

“Officer Martin is a great team player who gets along with everyone,” Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

Livingston Police Department, Officer Patrick Radke

Radke made 24 felony arrests in 2014 and answered more than 700 calls for service, Chief Ruben Chavez said while describing Radke as an “outstanding detective.”

“He was involved in several high-profile cases for us and helped get convictions,” Chavez said.

One such case involved “relentless” investigation by Radke over several years, Chavez said, but finally ended in 2014 when Radke arrested Arturo Morales on suspicion of fathering two children with a teenage relative. Morales was eventually convicted, sent to prison and forced to register as a sex offender.

California Highway Patrol, Atwater, Officer Noe Lomeli

Lomeli, a Merced native who joined the CHP in 2007, made 28 drunken-driving arrests in 2014 and issued over 1,000 citations.

He was described as a highly dedicated, hardworking and respected officer. Lomeli, who grew up in south Merced, graduated from Merced High School in 2004 and attended Merced Community College before enrolling in the CHP academy in 2007.

He has earned three awards during his career from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

California Highway Patrol, Los Banos, Officer Jason Tipler

Tipler has been a CHP officer since 2009 but joined the Los Banos division only last year. His supervisors said being chosen by his co-workers as the top officer was as a great achievement.

Tipler was praised for being extremely committed, hardworking and professional.

Gustine Police Department, Officer Pelan Hosaka

Hosaka, an officer for more than a decade, was credited with expanding the Gustine department’s outreach and public service programs.

In addition to his educational work teaching schoolchildren everything from the dangers of drugs to fire safety, Hosaka was also instrumental in organizing the department’s charitable work. He helped develop the Christmas canned food drive, among other achievements.

Merced County DA’s Office, Investigator Eduardo Meraz

Meraz was credited as one of the agency’s top investigators whose work on highly detailed fraud cases led to several significant arrests for financial crimes.

He was responsible for helping recover thousands of dollars in welfare fraud cases, including a major case leading to the conviction of a man who now faces up to 20 years behind bars, Lunney said. Meraz was also praised for his work keeping the office up to date technologically.

Merced County DA’s Office, prosecutor Nicole Silveira

Silveira was commended for helping take over gang prosecutions in 2014, along with another prosecutor, after the unit’s longtime supervisor left the office for another position.

She was credited for her work on numerous cases, including a high-profile case involving the theft of nine urns filled with human remains that were sold for scrap metal. Silveira’s work led to the conviction of Marc Reid, who was sentenced to nearly 25 years in prison.

Silveira holds the distinction of being the first woman named prosecutor of the year in Merced County.

Merced Police Department, Detective Jeff Eastman

Eastman, a veteran police detective, was described by Chief Norman Andrade as a passionate officer who takes great pride in his detail-oriented approach to investigations.

The chief noted Eastman’s abilities retrieving cellphone data and working with outside agencies on a variety of tough cases.

He was applauded for his abilities as a detective and for his dedication to the community beyond police work, which includes coaching high school sports.

Sheriff’s Department, Correctional Officer Joshua Collins

Collins was credited by Sheriff Vern Warnke for his work at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility, a jailhouse that, like many others, has struggled since 2011 adjusting to the increased presence of more serious inmates in the wake of the California Prison Realignment Act, also known as AB 109.

Warnke praised Collins’ ability to “classify” inmates, a process correctional officers use to determine exactly where in the jail an inmate can be housed.

It’s critical work that protects the inmates and correctional officers, and Collins has become an expert on area street gangs whose knowledge is frequently relied upon by investigators from other agencies on gang cases, Warnke said.

Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Samuel Becerra

Becerra, a veteran of the Marine Corps, joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2007.

He is a court-approved expert on criminal street gangs and one of the department’s top gang investigators.

Becerra was instrumental earlier this year in a large countywide gang sweep that resulted in the arrests of 18 gang members. Authorities also seized firearms, methamphetamine and marijuana during the search, dubbed “Operation Roundup.”

UC Merced, Officer Brandon Thomas

Thomas was described as a great teacher in law enforcement who is respected on campus by co-workers and students. He was credited for his role in developing various plans and programs within the department.

He has also been honored for his work combating drunken drivers. Thomas, a former Merced County deputy sheriff, has a variety of career experiences including time spent on the SWAT team and as an agriculture crimes investigator.

Los Banos Police Department, Officer Steven Odom

Odom, who has since joined the Merced Police Department, was honored by his former agency for his work in 2014. He did not attend the ceremony Wednesday.

This story was originally published May 17, 2015 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Merced County honors law enforcement officers of the year."