Exchange Club of Fresno's TOP COP AWARD

The Exchange Club of Fresno held its 21st Annual Top Cops luncheon on Thursday, November 5, 2009. Club hosts for the program are Dr. Otto Tocchio, professor emeritus of criminology from California State University, Fresno (CSUF) and Fresno attorney Michael J. Margosian, from the Law Office of Michael J. Margosian.

This years honorees are DEPUTY JOHN ROBINSON, Fresno County Sheriff's Department; OFFICER JOHN BELLI, Fresno Police Department; and OFFICER JOE PALACIO, California Highway Patrol. All were selected for this honor by their respective agencies for their outstanding work and accomplishments.

The Top Cops program was created by the efforts of two of our members, Dr. Tocchio and the late Dr. Arthur Margosian, professor emeritus of Journalism at CSUF in 1988 as a tribute to our law enforcement officers. It was their desire to find a way to acknowledge and thank the men and women who daily place their lives on the line so we can enjoy a safer community.

Since the program's inception 21 years ago in Fresno, the Top Cops program has been duplicated by Exchange Clubs nationwide, and remains one of the favorite programs of local Exchange members.

The honorees this year are---

California Highway Patrol

OFFICER JOE PALACIO, Jr.

After serving 10 years in the Army, Jose pursued his second dream of becoming a police officer. Jose began his career with the California Highway Patrol in Santa Ana and came to the Fresno Area in April 1991.

In addition to normal patrol duties, Officer Palacio has served as a hit and run investigator, a warrant service team member, and evidence officer over his nearly 22 year career. He is credited with saving the lives of 31 people who were occupants in a burning building. As a result of this heroic act the State of California awarded him a Medal of Valor. When asked why he had not drawn attention to the act himself, his response was “I was just doing my job. People needed us and we responded.”

For the last 12 years Officer Palacio has been responsible for the preservation and integrity of evidence, property, asset forfeitures, evidentiary devices (i.e. Alcohol Screening Devices) and contraband as Area's Evidence Officer. The reliability of the system is reliant upon Officer Palacio for its security, safety, and record keeping, and directly dependant on his exemplary integrity and superior knowledge of various policies/laws/codes/procedures, and capable courtroom testimony. Jose has testified as an expert in preliminary alcohol screening device theory/application and evidence preparation by the Superior Court of California in over 100 criminal trials.

In addition to a distinguished career, Officer Palacio has utilized his natural, personal character traits to positively illustrate the benefits of hard work, sportsmanship, and commitment while instructing area youth as a Little League baseball and Youth Recreation League hockey team coach in Fresno.

Deputy John Robinson's proactive self-initiated activity over the last several weeks has led to several felony arrests involving a carjacking/stabbing incident, stolen vehicles, suspect pursuits and parole violations.

Deputy Robinson actively seeks out the criminal element late into his shift, often times finding stolen vehicles in the early morning hours. He maintains this level of self initiated activity, but also assists his fellow deputies by taking report calls in their beat areas. Deputy Robinson inspires his fellow deputies by making proactive arrests and he routinely lends his expertise to younger deputies to help them sharpen their skills. Deputy Robinson has displayed a team attitude and is an asset to the citizens of Fresno County.

Deputy Robinson's efforts have brought a positive light to himself as well as the department. During all of these incidents there were no injuries to Deputies or citizens. His efforts have also received positive comments from members of the Fresno Police Department as well as C.H.P. Officers. He has been a quality employee during this period and his efforts go above and beyond normal expectations of a patrolman.

Fresno County Sheriff's Department

DEPUTY JOHN ROBINSON

Fresno Police Department

OFFICER JOHN BELLI

Officer John Belli is a veteran Traffic Officer, and former winner of the Bureau's 2005 Officer of the Year Award. In keeping with his commitment to the Department, John has never once rested on his accolades. John is a team player, and his team is much bigger than the Traffic Section, the Fresno Police Department or even Law Enforcement. John is a player on the Fresno community team, and he comes up big every time.

It takes a very strong individual to work tirelessly year after year in a position in which almost every citizen contact is a negative one. No one appreciates receiving a citation and very few realize its importance or appreciate the reason. John is one of five specially trained officers entrusted with the training and on-going instruction of the Department's motorcycle officers.

John runs the Department's car seat program. He receives requests from all over the Central Valley to conduct car seat check-ups, and coordinates a fitting station out of the Traffic Office for local residents. In his spare time, John coordinates the Department's DUI breath testing program, by keeping track of and maintaining our equipment. He conducts in-service training to officers, and serves as a liaison to the Department of Justice. He also assists on a steering committee forging the breath testing programs of the future.

John assists Detective Mark Van Wyhe with the monitoring and apprehension of repeat offender DUI suspects. John has even helped keep litter off of our streets by developing and seeing to fruition the City of Fresno's first prisoner staffed litter pick-up program.

John is always willing to tackle whatever project needs attention. John is one of over 70 officers that make up the Top Traffic Bureau in the Nation.