Isla Vista Public Safety Officers Honored
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown and UC Santa Barbara Police Chief Dustin Olsen awarded courageous men and women who responded to the mass murder in Isla Vista on Friday, May 23, 2014.
That’s the night when Elliot Rodger, a Santa Barbara City College dropout stabbed his two roomates and their friend to death before going on a shooting spree in Isla Vista.
Rodger shot and killed three other UCSB students and injured 14 people before taking his own life.
An award ceremony at the Isla Vista Theater on Wednesday afternoon held a moment of silence for the victims.
The audience gave standing ovations to the officers who didn’t let fear get in the way of doing their jobs.
Officers thwarted Rodger’s plan to kill many more by engaging him in two gun battles.
Four deputies and a sergeant received the Sheriff’s Medals of Valor. Sheriff Brown said it had been eight years since he had handed them out.
Five university officers received Police Valor Citations.
A new lifesaving award was created to honor ten others. Some of them saved a fellow officer who had a heart attack during the stressful night.
A special blue and black commendation medal was given to scores of others who worked overnight to coordinate the response to the mass murder.
Some dispatchers stayed on to help after they were off duty; while others came in to help.
Recipients also received certificates. One said he planned to either frame it or send it home to his mother.
Lauren Walker teared up when she saw her husband’s medal of valor up close.
She said she was proud of him and acknowledged how difficult the event was for everyone.
The one year anniversary is coming up on Saturday, May 23. Brown said it is important to think of lives saved last year and to remember the lives lost.
