HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotification MemoY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 3, 2013
TO: Leslie Deese, City Manager
FROM: Stacey Stevenson, Director of Administrative Services
SUBJECT: EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER PROGRAM
The Employee Recognition Program communicates the City's appreciation for outstanding
performance. In doing so, it recognizes employees who maintain high standards of personal
conduct and make significant contributions to the workplace and community.
The employee to be recognized for the second quarter of calendar year 2013 is Paul Hernandez —
Police Officer.
By copy of this merino, the employee is invited to attend the Council meeting on Tuesday, June 18,
2013 to be recognized for his achievement and service.
Attachment
cc: Paul Hernandez
Chief Manuel Rodriguez
Josie Flores -Clark — Executive Assistant
Human Resources — Office File
NATIONAL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 6, 2013
TO: Stacey Stevenson
Director of Human Resources
FROM: Chief Manuel Rodriguez
SUBJECT: Officer Paul Hernandez
Employee Recognition Award
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MAY 28 2013
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
On February 4, 2013, National City Police Officer Paul Hernandez responded to a radio
call of found property, which would later be determined to be critical evidence against
the rogue ex -Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher Donner. Officer Hernandez
searched an alley dumpster and found police equipment, which included ammunition,
tactical gear, a police notepad, and an LAPD police uniform. Officer Hernandez
initiated an investigation to the origins of the equipment. It was during his investigation
that significant information surfaced. Officer Hernandez spoke with an LAPD Sergeant
who provided information on the owner of the property, a trainee of hers, who was later
determined to be the suspect of several murders in the Los Angeles area.
The information attained by Officer Hernandez at this point of the investigation was an
integral part of a double murder investigation being conducted by the Irvine Police
Department. As a result, Irvine Police Investigators came to the National City Police
Department to continue their investigation and to take custody of the found property.
While at the National City Police Department, Irvine Police Detectives developed
sufficient information to name Christopher Domer as a suspect in their case. A "Be on
the Lookout Bulletins" (BOLO) containing Dower's information was disseminated by
NCPD detectives to law enforcement personnel in San Diego County and in Tijuana,
Mexico.
As the investigation continued, additional details regarding Dorner's true intentions
surfaced in his manifesto and all law enforcement agencies in Southern California were
alerted that he was armed and extremely dangerous. Sadly, after the entire incident came
to a conclusion days later, Christopher Domer was responsible for the murder of four
victims, including two Police Officers, and severely wounding three other Police
Officers. The police manhunt for Domer was one of the largest in Southern California,
encompassing local, state, and federal agencies.
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Irvine Police Detective John Sanders praised Officer Hernandez' diligence for following
up on the found property located in National City. Detective Sanders described the
discovery of the evidence as "a huge break in the case that cannot be overlooked."
Irvine Police Lieutenant Julia Engen expressed similar commentary when she referred to
Officer Hernandez as a hero. Lieutenant Engen was convinced that most officers in other
departments would not have followed up on the found property as diligently as Officer
Fernandez did in this case. She expressed her opinion with the Los Angeles media.
On the surface, the actions taken by Officer Hernandez may seem routine but due to his
diligence and prompt notification, Christopher Domer was identified as the suspect.
Officer Hernandez has been a National City Police Officer for 8 years and is currently a
member of the SWAT Team.
Officer Hernandez is commended for his diligence, professionalism, and dedication to
duty for his work in this case.
Manuel Rodriguez
Chief of Police
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