Santa Barbara Police Hand Out Extra Step Awards

A big honor Wednesday for seven local heroes who received an Extra Step Award.

The Santa Barbara Police Department and the Kiwanis Club team up each year to recognize residents who display acts of civic heroism and devotion to their community.

A brazen robbery at the Churchill Jewelry shop nearly three months ago to the day on State Street led to the special acknowledgement of Joe Clemens. He captured a group of men on camera, blasting their way through jewelry cases with a sledgehammer.

Clemens’ footage of the suspects and later an image of the license plate of one of the two getaway cars helped authorities nab the people who pulled off similar heists across the country, as far as the East Coast.

Clemens missed Wednesday’s event; he was busy adding the title of “husband” to his lifeline.

Jorge Montano, an apartment complex manager on the 700 block of W. Cota Street, was awarded for assisting officers during the investigation of a violent robbery by providing lengthy Spanish translation. He was nominated by Sgt. Shawn Hill.

Police Sgt. Riley Harwood said it was Daniel Burkhalter, another recipient, who displayed incredible courage and bravery.

It was April of last year and Burkhalter and a female co-worker at Blenders in the Grass had just closed up shop for the night, when he heard her scream. Burkhalter found a man attacking the woman in a back room at the shop.

“I basically stumble over this guy who’s holding her and has a linoleum (carpet cutter) knife in his hand,” Burkhalter said.

Police Detective Douglas Klug, who nominated Burkhalter for the award, is fairly certain this local hero stopped a sexual assault, but badly sliced his hand on the suspect’s knife in the process.

“I thought I put my hand on the handle but it slipped up,” Burkhalter said. “It wasn’t too bad but she was fine, which is all I cared about.”

Klug told NewsChannel 3 that the attacker is serving eight years in state prison for the crime.

“His (Burkhalter’s) actions led us to evidence that ultimately led to the suspect being prosecuted for the crime,” Klug said. “I watched the (surveillance) video. It’s very clear … Mr. Burkhalter jumps in like no hesitation and takes on that guy that was armed with a knife to protect his co-worker.”

Frank Lopez was also honored. Police credit the owner of Santa Barbara Towing for his consistent and reliable service to both officers and residents.

James Baugh and Austin Veirhus are also heroes.

The two men single-handedly tracked down the man who broke into Baugh’s home and stole his laptop and valuable jewelry, with a little help from Craigslist and a guilty conscience on the thief’s part.

Community Service Liaison Charles Reed, who also doubles as the department’s chaplain, brought down the house while talking about the time a man holding a skateboard got into his face and called him “All sorts of names … including Chief Sanchez!”

Reed credited Moises Medina, owner of La Aroma de Havana Cigar Lounge, for backing him up that day and watching the officer’s back daily, as Reed patrols the area between Victoria Street and Stearns Wharf.

Police Chief Cam Sanchez said it is an honor to recognize those who go beyond the call of duty and help his officers do a better job.

“They assist the police department but more importantly, they assist other citizens in their community and that’s what we’re here to celebrate,” said Sanchez. “I always look forward to this day.”