Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - AntiochPress_05.16.08 - Index

12A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY MAY 16, 2008
Officers from page 1A
lice Chief Jim Hyde. “You saw the suspect
raise the rifl e and manipulate the charging
handle, in effect loading the live round into
the chamber of the rifl e.
“The suspect continued to ignore your
commands to drop the rifl e, and he turned
and pointed the rifl e toward the offi cers.
Fearing for your life and the life of your
comrades and the lives of citizens in the
immediate area, you fi red your weapons to
stop the suspect.”
Alcala was shot in the area of his right
arm and shoulder, but rather than surrender,
he then attempted to fl ee.
“He was on a methamphetamine
binge and was just out of control,” said
Hyde. “He had so much methamphetamine
on board in his system, he did not
have a cent of pain … acting like he’s the
Terminator.”
Perkinson, who was on his way to
work and hadn’t yet picked up his gun
from the station, arrived on the scene. Perkinson
released his police dog, and Alcala
was subdued.
Alcala, who is also believed to have
stolen a rifl e out of a police car in Walnut
Creek, was fl own to a hospital, treated for
his injuries and booked into Contra Costa
County Detention Facility on felony
charges.
Hyde called the theft of a rifl e from a
police car parked in front of a police station
“pretty daring and brazen by a desperate
person. This was broad daylight. Two of
our police lieutenants are sitting in their of-
Contra Costa Generating Plant
fi ce going ‘Is that guy carrying a rifl e down
the street? It just defi es logic. Is someone
playing a game?’”
It could have been a deadly game, if
not for the quick action of the three offi cers
who risked their lives in the line of duty.
“This is bravery, team work and protecting
this community,” said Hyde. “For
these three offi cers I award the Bronze
Medal of Valor for their work, their courage
and dedication.”
Dee, Johnson and Perkinson were
given a standing ovation by the offi cers,
offi cials, family members and residents in
attendance at the City Council Chambers
on May 7.
Six years of 15 Minutes
Sgt. Tom Fuhrmann was presented
with the Award of Distinction for his work
over the past six years in bringing the antidrunk-driving
program called Every 15
Minutes to Antioch high schools.
“You undertook the endeavor with enthusiasm,
and have continued to do so with
the program, having six years of great success,”
said Police Chief Jim Hyde. “Every
15 Minutes is designed to raise awareness
of the dangers of drinking and driving. It
has been directed at high school juniors and
graduating seniors toward the end of the
year, which is also known as party time.
“Your continued involvement in this
program has not only had a lasting effect
on its success in Antioch but it has also
positively impacted high school students
on making decisions on whether to drink
Photos by Dave Roberts
Sgt. Tom Fuhrmann was presented with the Award of Distinction for bringing
the anti-drunk driving program Every 15 Minutes to Antioch high schools.
Community Service Offi cer Stephanie Easterwood, who was selected as
Civilian Employee of the Year, is shown enjoying Police Chief Jim Hyde‘s effort
at a little fun inventing fake biographical details for her.
and drive. In essence, Tom was teaching
about death. And the choice is life. So if
you drink and you drive, you may die.
“For me and Tom – we’ve had friends
who have died. When I was a high school
senior in the Bay Area, I had four of my
friends crash off of 280 … because of driving
under the infl uence. We’ve all had those
stories. This is an intervention program, a
prevention program, and Tom leads with
his heart in this program because it requires
his heart to do the work.”
Civilian Employee of the Year
Community Service Offi cer Stephanie
Easterwood took a nice-sized step toward
her goal of becoming a police offi cer by
being selected as the Antioch Police Department’s
Civilian Employee of the Year.
“She is well respected by employees
and is a true asset to the department and
the city of Antioch,” said Police Chief Jim
Hyde. “She is friendly, intelligent, dependable,
responsible, reliable, uses good judgment
and is dedicated.”
Easterwood has a bachelor’s degree
in criminal justice and sociology from Cal
State East Bay. She was hired in January of
2006 and has been working in community
policing.
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