Thompson honors Altamirano and Smith as 2022 Lake County Public Safety Heroes
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Sunday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced Lakeport Police Officer Juan Altamirano and Cory Smith of the Lake County Fire Protection District as the 2022 Lake County Public Safety Heroes.
Each year, Thompson honors law enforcement officers and first responders in our community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
“Our first responders play an essential role in keeping our communities safe and saving lives. Every year, it is a great honor to be able to recognize some of our public safety heroes from our district for their incredible work on behalf of our communities,” said Thompson. “Cory Smith is a proven leader in Lake County, serving as both a paramedic and fire marshal. His coolness and skill under pressure led to the safe evacuation of multiple endangered citizens during the Cache fire.”
Thompson continued, “Officer Altamirano is an exemplary officer and demonstrates important values of respect and commitment to duty. I am proud to recognize Mr. Smith and Officer Altamirano for their heroic efforts and they are well deserving of this award.”
In August 2021, Smith responded to the Cache fire in Clearlake as a member of Prevention 715. There, they worked tirelessly to remove fences and clear paths alongside two engine companies from Cal Fire.
During the assignment, they discovered two individuals in immediate danger from nearby flames, one of whom had severe burns. Upon evacuation, they radioed for a medical unit to transport her to a nearby hospital.
Early last year, Officer Altamirano demonstrated his compassion, respect, and dedication to duty while responding to a suspicious vehicle report.
Altamirano found a truck and loaded trailer broken down in an area of Lakeport that was dangerous for the driver and other motorists.
Upon further inspection, he found that the truck and trailer were carrying a family and all their possessions, and they had no resources to get the vehicle out of the way or operating at that time.
Officer Altamirano used his own personal resources, not those of the department, to have the truck and trailer towed to a safe location to wait while the family could make other arrangements. Any other action could have placed the family in jeopardy of losing their vehicle and possessions.
While reviewing Officer Altamirano’s actions, other similar incidents came to light, in which he provided meals and water to other community members in need, and found creative ways to provide service to his community above and beyond the call of duty.
The full list of the Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the Fifth Congressional District is below.
Captain John Angell, Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department
Sergeant Zach Lekse, Martinez Police Department
Cory Smith, Lake County Fire
Officer Juan Altamirano, Lakeport Police Department
Rodger Collinson, Napa Fire Department
Deputy Brian Ringo, Napa County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Joseph Schiavoni, Napa County Sheriff’s Office
Detective Rory Logan, Benicia Police Department
Robert O’Connor, Solano County Paramedic
Kristy and Bob Brindley, Just1Mike Foundation
Officer Westin Schindler, Santa Rosa Police Department
Sergeant Terry White and Officers Jason Jucutan, Jeff Badger, Dane Schindler and Brett Wright, Santa Rosa Police Department Special Enforcement Team