by Mary-Kate Roan
Staff Writer
The Southside Businessmen’s Club honored four local heroes during its annual luncheon at San Jose Country Club Wednesday.
“Thanks for your support,” said Fire Chief Dan Kleman to the club before adding of the two firefighters being added. “What you will see today are two examples of something that goes on every day in our town.”
Mark Kruger, honored for rescuing two women from a burning car while off-duty and shopping for a gift for his daughter, said that he was happy to receive the award.
“I’ll admit, I’m a little bashful,” said Kruger. “I’m just glad to be given the opportunity to help.”
Chip George was among the first to respond to a two-alarm fire at the Jacksonville Humane Society where he saved more than 80 animals from their sealed kennels. George was also involved in a structure fire when a firefighter got caught underneath a fallen roof. The fallen firefighter was pulled out by George.
“It’s an honor to receive this award,” said George of the occasion. “I was born and raised right here on San Jose.”
Sheriff John Rutherford was on hand to commend the final two recipients, the first of which was for the 2008 Community Service Officer of the Year.
“(The Community Service Officer) program is successful for three reasons,” said Rutherford. “It decreases call diversion for a fully uniformed officer to go out and handle calls that don’t need a badge and gun. It allowed young men and women to get an education because if they’re in the program and finish a class with a passing grade we reimburse them their tuition. Lastly, it serves as a feeder program for us.”
Rutherford then went on to introduce the recipient of the award, Carnell Brown.
“He’s a great role model,” said Rutherford of Brown. “He always volunteers to do things on his days off and finds himself in a leadership role.”
Roberts was accompanied by his mother, Sylvia Brown-Hughes.
The recipient of the 2008 Police Officer of the Year award was Jared Reston.
“On Jan. 26 Jared chased a burglary suspect a half mile before finally catching him,” said Rutherford. “The lighting was dim, so he couldn’t see that the suspect had a gun.”
And after hand-to-hand combat ensued, Reston was shot in the face. The suspect then fled only to return and shoot the fallen officer six more times. But in the suspect’s return, Reston was able to shoot and kill the suspect. After several surgeries and over six months of physical therapy, Reston was back on the streets.
“The amazing thing is that as soon as he could scribble something on a piece of paper in the hospital, he asked me ‘Did I respond professionally?’” said Rutherford.
The meeting and ceremony was then adjourned by acting president Ken Dean.
“Everyone that is willing to put their lives on the line is a hero — uniform or not,” said Dean.
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