PRESS RELEASE
April 14, 2005
6th Annual Sacramento County District
Attorney
Outstanding Citizen Awards
Friday, April 15, 2005 @ 9:30 a.m.
700 H Street
Contact: Lana Wyant, Special Assistant Deputy District Attorney, (916) 874-5907
Uncommon courage. That is the characteristic shown by the seven individuals receiving the Sacramento County District Attorney Outstanding Citizen Award. Each of these people testified in criminal cases and demonstrated extraordinary bravery and social conscience through their cooperation with our criminal justice system. This year’s recipients include the following individuals:
Julieann Underly and Amanda Dew witnessed a robbery. The woman they saw struggling with the young man fell to the ground while her attacker fled. After checking on the victim, these two young ladies went after the fleeing suspect. Once they caught up with him they demanded the victim’s money back – and got it! They told a man standing near-by what had happened. This off duty police officer apprehended the suspect while Julieann and Amanda returned the purse and its belonging to the victim.
Lori Sheehy was taken from Modesto to Sacramento and repeatedly sexually assaulted by five men whom she had accepted a ride from. Her phone call to 911 helped to solve a series of brutal assaults of several women that would come to be known as the “Stockton Boulevard” case.
Annie Maggard is a trusting 84 year old woman who twice was the victim of financial scams. She was first the victim of the “South African switch scam” and four months later re-victimized by two men who showed her badges and claimed to be investigating the earlier incident. Despite serious health problems Ms. Maggard saw the case through to the end because she did not want these defendants to harm anyone else.
(Peter) Vang Ly was driving a short distance behind his cousin when he witnessed another car pull up next to his cousin and begin shooting. Peter called 911 while also pursing the car from which the shots came. After a 10-15 minute pursuit CHP took the shooters into custody. Because of Mr. Ly’s heroism both men are serving lengthy prison sentences.
Gabrielle Robertson was sexually assaulted at school by a fellow classmate. Gabrielle immediately reported the incident. An investigation led to three other girls at the same school coming forward to report that this same attacker had attempted to or actually assaulted them the preceding week. Her courage in coming forward, despite intense negative peer reaction, put an end to a series of sexual assaults.
Aarukell Green witnessed her mother being shot to death. Despite having been shot 13 times herself, she managed to flee her apartment and get help in order to save the lives of her three remaining siblings. Aarukell confronted her mother’s killer two years later in court, and he was convicted of all charges.
Three additional individuals will be recognized this year with a Commendation for Outstanding Service.
Please join us in honoring these heroes.