Officers recognized for service

Four Colusa County law enforcement officers received high praise Tuesday when the Colusa Rotary Club brought together each agencies' Peace Officers of the Year.

Williams police Officer Jose Ruiz, California Highway Patrol Officer Kristin Murphy, Colusa County sheriff's Deputy Arnold Navarro and Colusa police Officer Leanne Knutson were honored.

They were nominated by their superiors and their peers for superior performance, dedication to the community and actions above and beyond the call of service.

Colusa Rotarian Bill Abel praised Colusa County's finest for enforcing the law and protecting the public they serve.

"Without law enforcement, we would return to a lawless society," Abel said, at the Rotary's annual Peace Officers banquet.

Ruiz has been a member of the Williams Police Department since 2007, and from early on, demonstrated maturity, confidence and skills of an officer beyond his years, according to Williams police Chief Jim Saso. Ruiz has led the department in arrests, is well respected by his peers and members of the community, and has a reputation for being deeply committed to the policing profession and the citizens he serves.

"Jose, and other law enforcement officers like him, bring pride, hope and promise for the future of policing through the trust and goodwill of those they serve, protect and care for each and every day," Saso said in his nomination.

In addition to his law enforcement duties, Ruiz volunteers his time to assist at track and field events and Friday Night Live at Pierce High School.

"Jose has demonstrated that he embraces the department's mission, which is 'A Professional Standard of Service,' and he has a strong desire to advocate and teach these principals every chance he gets," Saso said.

Murphy has been a CHP officer for 10 years and has proven herself a consummate professional, according to former Williams area commander, Lt. Douglas Uhlik. Murphy was commended for her actions during a tragic traffic collision while off-duty, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the most critically injured and providing necessary assistance that allowed on-duty personnel to move on to critical tasks.

"This one selfless act essentially sums up Officer Murphy's 'Esprit de Corps' attitude as it relates to her chosen profession," Uhlik said in Murphy's nomination.

Murphy was also praised for frequently being chosen to act in the capacity of officer in charge. Murphy is seldom seen without a smile on her face and is considered one of the friendliest officers in the command, Uhlik noted.

"Officer Murphy possesses a 'can-do' attitude, which is highly admired and respected by both her supervisors and peers alike," Uhlik said.

Navarro has been with the Colusa County Sheriff's Office since 2007. He was assigned as the Arbuckle area Community Officer due to his work ethic and desire to work with the community, according to Sheriff Scott Marshall.

"Deputy Navarro is an exemplary and devoted employee," Marshall said in Navarro's nomination.

Navarro was commended for his hard work, professionalism, integrity and honesty, and for his assistance to investigators on an embezzlement case, sexual abuse case and a 2009 homicide in College City.

"One overwhelming factor in all of these incidents and daily activities performed by Deputy Navarro is his willingness to serve the public, and the positive attitude he projects while doing so," Marshal noted. "Deputy Navarro takes whatever assignment he is given and proceeds to work through it to the best of his ability without hesitation or complaint."

Knutson has been with the Colusa Police Department since 2005 and has demonstrated a remarkable ability for positive interaction within the community, according to Colusa police Chief Lyle Montgomery. Her positive influence is also felt as one of the Police Department's field training officers, assisting in recruitment, selection and training of new employees.

Knutson was commended for working beyond the call of duty as liaison officer with Adult Protective Services and Child Protective Services, which allows a forum for the exchange of information concerning issues with the youth and the elderly in the community. She is also an active member of the Colusa County Gang Task Force, and is often called upon by the department to conduct investigations concerning crimes against children, because of the dedication and compassion she possesses for the children involved, Montgomery noted.

"So many positive things can be, and are said about Officer Knutson, both within our department and in the community," Montgomery said in his nomination. "Officer Knutson is an excellent representative of the Colusa Police Department and can always be counted on to put the community first. The people of Colusa benefit from Officer Knutson's passion and dedication to them and to the job."

The Colusa Rotary Club awarded each of the peace officers a plaque.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.