Eureka Volunteer Patrol Honored by City of Eureka. Pictured: L-R: Pete Vallerga, Jack Hopkins, Gary Swanson, Acting Captain Len Johnson, Bob Gish, Terry Long, Gil Long. Not pictured, Roger Miller and Dick Storre.

Eureka Police Department Press Release:

During the February 18, 2014 Eureka City Council meeting, eight members of the Eureka Volunteer Patrol (EVP) became the fourth recipients of the Eureka Police Department’s Valor-Service Challenge Coin Award. Speaking before the council, Chief Andrew Mills and the EVP commander, Acting Captain Len Johnson, awarded each EVP member a coin along with a letter of appreciation in recognition of their dedicated service to the City of Eureka. These eight members alone have logged over 30,000 volunteer hours as a group and the program has give more than 50,000 hours to the community. 

The contents of the award letter follows:

“To the Members of our Volunteer Patrol:
It is the mission of the Eureka Police Department to safeguard lives and property and enhance the quality of life in our City through our commitment to exceptional service, strong community partnerships, and the highest standards of integrity, courage, and professional excellence. EPD is committed to promoting community policing concepts and positive relations with the public we serve. We further this purpose by acknowledging valued citizens and groups, who commit acts of extraordinary kindness, unselfishly give of themselves to help others, or perform other good deeds that go above and beyond the normal courtesies society expects. 
To this end, EPD commissioned the minting of a special “challenge coin” to be awarded to deserving individuals who give of themselves in an exceptional manner. This unique full-color coin represents the Eureka Police Department’s cherished values of VALOR, SERVICE, and COMMUNITY and may be carried proudly. These values are printed on the coin’s face surrounding the Great Seal of the State of California. The reverse side of the coin depicts the emblem found on the Eureka Police Department patch. 

Through their dedicated labors over the years, members of the Eureka Volunteer Patrol (EVP) have truly exemplified the meaning of “service” and “community.” EPD, like many departments, frequently finds itself faced with a shortage of resources to tackle substantive problems. Thus, we often look to other sources for help. Our EVP members have given countless, uncompensated hours in assisting the Eureka Police Department with emergency call-outs, special events, vacation home checks, and neighborhood patrols. EVP is often called upon to assist with perimeter security and traffic control at major crime scenes, critical incidents, and special events. 

One example of this was EVP’s invaluable support following the tragic murder of Father Eric Freed on January 1st of this year. Shortly after the crime was discovered, EVP’s help was requested to assist with perimeter and crime scene security at Saint Bernard Catholic Parish. Three members of EVP immediately put their personal lives on hold and responded to the scene with several other members rotating in throughout the day and night. The presence of EVP at the scene allowed more of our sworn officers to focus on investigating and ultimately swiftly solving this senseless crime. As a group, members of EVP put in a total of 42 hours at the initial crime scene along with another 6 hours during the subsequent vigils that were held for Father Freed. 

The current members of the Eureka Volunteer Patrol include:

• Bob Gish (an 18 ½ year member)
• Jack Hopkins (an 18 ½ year member)
• Terry Long (an 18 ½ year member)
• Roger Miller (an 18 ½ year member)
• Gary Swanson (a 16 year member)
• Dick Storre (a 13 year member)
• Pete Vallerga (an 11 year member)
• Gil Long (a 6 year member)

These 8 members alone have logged over 30,000 volunteer hours as a group. 

On behalf of the Eureka Police Department, it is my pleasure to honor and recognize the Eureka Volunteer Patrol for their selfless and dedicated service over the past many years. EVP plays an on-going, vital role in the Eureka Police Department’s endeavor to provide excellent service to our community. They are truly our “unsung heroes.” Please accept with this coin and certificate our recognition and appreciation.” 

Eureka Police continue to look for and accept applications for volunteerism in Eureka. Come make a difference with EPD!