Humboldt County Sheriff press release:

Humboldt County Sheriff Michael Downey is proud to announce that Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue ( S.A.R.)Volunteer John Hokman is being awarded the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Larry Peabody award. Each year, this prestigious statewide award is presented to an individual S.A.R. volunteer or team that performs their SAR duties with professionalism, dedication, and extraordinary excellence.

John Hokman has been an outstanding volunteer to the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Humboldt County for over 45 years. John began his service to the county in 1968, when he joined the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marine Posse. He served in that capacity until 1981, when the Marine Posse became a part of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Posse.

John is still a member of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Posse and is currently Captain of the ground search units. John was responsible for the development of a specialized winter search team, which includes operation of the Sheriff’s Office Snow Cat. In 2009 he was awarded a Journeyman Tracking Certificate, and is a California Office of Emergency Services Instructor of Search Management. John has trained numerous S.A.R volunteers during his career. He has participated in over 1,500 S.A.R. callouts, ranging from lost hikers, missing children, river rescues, cliff rescues and downed aircraft. John has responded to these emergency calls as needed, days, nights and during inclement weather, giving of his personal time to save the lives of others.

John Hokman will be awarded the Larry Peabody Award this coming Saturday, September 6th, 2014 in Napa, California. He will be joined at the event with his wife, Edith Hokman, who is also a volunteer with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Posse and is currently the Commander.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Posse is always seeking new volunteers who are interested in serving their community. Anyone interested in joining the Humboldt county Sheriff’s Office Posse can apply on line at http://www.humboldtsar. or call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 for more information.

Further information about the Larry Peabody award can be found by clicking here.