Tony Parille announced Arcadia Rotary’s annual program in honor of the Arcadia Policeman and Fireman of the Year.  The presenters were Arcadia Police Captain Eugene P. Gioia and Arcadia Fire Department Battalion Chief Barry Spriggs.  They were here to present the 2010 honorees, Detective Dan Crowther of the Arcadia Police Department and Engineer Gary Robinson II of the Arcadia Fire Department.

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Arcadia Police Captain Gioia provided the following background for this year’s Arcadia Police Department honoree, Detective Dan Crowther.

Detective Crowther represents the fourth generation of his family to be involved in law enforcement.  Dan’s father was a police officer for the City of Glendora, the city where Dan grew up. Dan married his high school sweetheart Janna.  They have two daughters Grace (9) and Elizabeth (12).

Dan wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer.  Dan was hired by the Arcadia Police Department in 1991 as a police cadet, then in 1994 as a police officer.  For training, he attended the Rio Hondo Police Academy.  Dan also has an Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Citrus College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Occupational Studies from California State University at Long Beach.

For ten years Dan was assigned to Patrol Division, including six years as a field training officer (training new recruits) and 3 1/2 years as a member of the SWAT Team.  For the past six years Dan has been a detective, initially investigating gangs, narcotics, vice, forgery and fraud.  Three years ago he became a permanent detective, currently assigned to crimes against persons (assaults, sex crimes, homicides, robberies, etc.)    For the past 8 years he was (and still is) a reserve officer program coordinator.  Dan is a member of the Board of Directors of the Arcadia Police Officers Association (APOA).

In 2009 Dan was named the APOA Officer of the Year as well as the Reserve Coordinator of the Year for the entire State of California.

Captain Gioia listed a few of Dan’s high profile cases:

In 2006 there was a disturbance at the Chevron Station at Santa Anita and Live Oak which resulted in a shooting.  A person in a vehicle waiting at the light was struck.  The offender was sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 25 years.

On November 25, 2008 a robbery occurred at the Osaka Ya restaurant.  The owner was shot and killed.  The suspect is still at large with $40,000 in City and County Rewards being offered for his capture.

 In 2008,  there was a murder on Canyon.  The victim was a 25 year old male resident of the home.  The suspect in this murder is a high school teacher at Muir.  The case is awaiting trial.

In 2008 on Bonita, an estranged husband laid in wait for his wife.  He chased her upstairs and shot her multiple times, causing her death.  The husband was captured in Long Beach, and is now serving 29 years to life.

The most recent case involved a 2008 child molestation at the Westfield Mall, in the Children’s section of Border’s book store.  A witness detained the suspect who then escaped.  Viewing databases of registered sex offenders, the witness eventually located the suspect, leading to the latter’s arrest.  The first trial resulted in a hung jury.  However, this past Tuesday upon retrial the defendant was convicted, and is now facing a potential sentence from 55 years to life.

After Captain Gioia completed his presentation, Detective Dan Crowther was given a standing ovation.  Detective Crowther thanked Arcadia Rotary for the award.

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Arcadia Fire Department Battalion Chief Spriggs provided the following introduction in presenting this year’s Arcadia Fire Department honoree, Gary Robinson II.

Gary Robinson was born and raised in Temple City, California.  In 1994 he graduated from Temple City High School.  From 1994 through 1998, Gary attended Cal Poly University at Pomona, majoring in Ornamental Horticulture.  In 1998, Gary went into business as a landscape contractor, a business in which he is still involved.

Then, in 2001, with his wife’s support, Gary decided to become a firefighter.  Arcadia Fire Captain Mike Lang advised Gary as to the steps necessary to successfully traverse the extensive training and hiring process.  From August 2001 through May, 2001, Gary attended the James Shern Fire Academy in Compton.  He then went to UCLA for his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and CPR training.  In 2003, Gary became a firefighter for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, working over a three year period in the cities of Hesperia and Adelanto.  This provided him with valuable experience in firefighting and emergency medical services.*  In the process, Gary obtained the necessary certifications to drive fire apparatus.

In 2006 Gary was hired by the Arcadia Fire Department, starting a twelve month probationary period.  Successfully completing the period, Gary then commenced a period of study and preparation for the fire engineer exam.  In 2008 he passed the examination and was promoted to engineer.**

In 2009 Gary took on the additional role of vehicle maintenance and repair coordinator.  He thereby assumed responsibility for the maintaining the entire fire department fleet in a state of readiness.  Gary’s outstanding performance in this role has ensured the safety of both the members of the department and the citizens of Arcadia.

Gary lives in Glendora with his wife Jennifer, and two children, Mackenzie (9) and Kamden (6).  In his spare time he continues to run his landscaping business.

At the conclusion of these introductory remarks by Battalion Chief Spriggs, Gary Robinson received a standing ovation.  Gary accepted the award, modestly stating that this was a job that he loves and noting the importance of team work.

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* According to Gary, approximately 80 per cent of Fire Department responses relate to emergency medical situations.

**  “An Engineer is responsible for maintaining and operating assigned fire apparatus. Engineers maintain apparatus readiness by performing daily checks and minor repairs/preventative maintenance on apparatus (e.g., greasing the engine, tightening or replacing screws etc.). An Engineer drives the assigned apparatus in emergency and non-emergency situations. Engineers operate pumps and controls to perform pumping and/or aerial operations. An Engineer may serve in the capacity of firefighter in emergency or non-emergency situations when not performing tasks associated with operating the apparatus.”  (Denver Fire Department Engineer Job Description, April 1998, Revised November 30, 2005, January 14, 2008)