PRESS RELEASE

7th Annual Sacramento County District Attorney
Outstanding Citizen Awards

Friday, April 28, 2006 @ 9:30 a.m.

Board of Supervisors Chambers, County Administration Building
700 H Street

Contact person: Lana Wyant, Special Assistant Deputy District Attorney
                       Phone: 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 demonstrated extraordinary bravery and social conscience through their cooperation with our criminal justice system. This year’s recipients include the following individuals:

Ken Vanderford refused to give up. When Ken moved his family to the River Park neighborhood he couldn’t have anticipated spending the years fighting to return his street to the safe and nurturing environment it once was. His quiet determined individual pursuit of justice resulted in a criminal conviction for the troublesome neighbor and saved his street.

Nichelle Montano and Alissa G. are a step-mother and daughter both victimized by the same man - Nichelle’s boyfriend and Alissa’s father. When Nichelle became aware of the long term abuse Alissa suffered she confronted the defendant who then sexually assaulted her. Nichelle made sure the abuse was reported to law enforcement but was fearful about what would happen to Alissa and her siblings once he was arrested, as Nichelle did not have legal custody of the children. Ultimately the children were reunited with their biological mother. Nichelle worked closely with their mother providing support and care for the children. Nichelle and Alissa testified at two trials, the second of which resulted in a sentence of 68 years plus 270 years to life for the defendant.

Paul Ennis displayed bravery that saved a police officer from certain injury and potentially saved his life. Paul witnessed a fight between a suspect and a solo police officer and saw the officer pinned to the ground. Paul, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, quickly came to the officer’s assistance. Paul withdrew his concealed firearm, pointed it at the suspect, and ordered him off of the officer, keeping the suspect at bay until additional police units arrived.

Miguel Araiza awoke one morning to the sound of his girlfriend screaming his name. Seconds later a man shattered his sliding glass door with a bat and began going after his girlfriend. Miguel went after this man and was struck in the forehead with the bat. Miguel then completely disregarded his own safety when he ran into a neighbor’s house to rescue two girls from that same man who had also assaulted them with a bat, cracking both their skulls. Unbeknownst to Miguel this man had just murdered the boyfriend of one of the girls’ mother in the garage of that home.

Gloria R. was carjacked and abducted as she arrived to work one morning. Her assailant, who had been released from prison just three days earlier, drove her to a remote area and sexually assaulted her. Gloria was beaten until she lost consciousness, lit on fire, and left to die. Miraculously, she was able to regain consciousness and struggle to the roadside where Kevin Lincomfelt and Frank Warmerdam did not hesitate to render aid. Thanks to these Good Samaritans, Gloria received the medical attention she desperately needed. Gloria ultimately testified courageously while being examined by the very man who committed these atrocious acts against her.

Please join us in honoring these heroes.