Shasta County’s top cops to be honored Thursday

March 13--Eight local law enforcement officers commended by their peers for outstanding performance will be honored Thursday during the annual Peace Officer of the Year awards.

The 41st annual luncheon hosted by The Exchange Club of Redding kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at the Win-River Casino in Redding. It's the longest running program honoring law enforcement in the county.

"The Exchange Club of Redding is very proud that this event has stood the test of time," said event chairman Dave Shoffner. "It's always an honor to be able to recognize outstanding representatives of local law enforcement, letting them know we appreciate the outstanding contributions they make to the community on a daily basis."

Special Agent Joseph M. Riehl, who oversees the San Francisco field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, will be guest speaker at the event.

The top officers were selected by law enforcement agencies serving Shasta County. They include:

Det. Mark Haslam, Shasta County Sheriff's Department

Detective Mark Haslam has worked with the Shasta County Sheriff's Department for nearly two decades. He has held a number of positions since joining the agency in September 1995, including five years as deputy at the Jail, five years as a patrol deputy and two years manning the work release program.

He served as a school resource officer at West Valley High School before being promoted to detective in Major Crimes in 2007, where he has investigated numerous homicides and other offenses. Over the years he has developed a reputation as the "go to" guy for hi-tech investigative tools such as data collection, social media and cell phone technologies.

Officer Jason Rhoads, Redding Police Department

Canine Officer Jason Rhoads has been known for his proactive policing efforts since joining the Redding Police Department a decade ago, at times catching felony burglary suspects in the act or seated in stolen vehicles. He has also spent time as a defensive tactics instructor and field training officer with the department.

Rhoads moved to Redding after working with the Sacramento Police Department and serving in the United States Army. When not chasing down crooks, the officer partakes in canine demonstrations with his police dog, Carr, for local civic groups and schools.

Deputy Probation Officer III Justin Benson, Shasta County Probation

Officer Justin Benson has worked with kids run afoul of the law since joining the Shasta County Probation Department in November 2007, currently heading the county's Juvenile Drug Court. He also has helped manage high-risk gang offenders, the Juvenile Detention Alternative Program and authored treatment plans and goals designed to reduce the likelihood youngsters will again find themselves behind bars.

Benson was the team leader on an interagency collaboration aimed at better serving high-risk minors with significant mental health issues, a group requiring extremely high levels of supervision in school, at home and out in the community to encourage the best outcomes possible.

He joined the probation office after moving to Redding from Sacramento in 2005 and obtaining his bachelor's degree in psychology from Simpson University.

Sgt. Justin Nunes, Shasta County Marshal's Office

A man wearing many hats, Justin Nunes joined the Shasta County Marshal's Office in 2009 and was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. He has served as an acting supervisor for the department and extensively trained incoming officers in field work. He also works as the department's internal affairs investigator and is an active shooter instructor.

Marshal Joel Northrup called Nunes a leader within the department.

Investigator Diana Hawkins, Shasta County District Attorney's Office

A family tragedy brought Diana Hawkins to the Redding area in 2007 after an extensive career in law enforcement, and the county's District Attorney's Office has benefitted from her expertise ever since. Hawkins' primary duties include pursuing welfare and insurance fraud and child abductions for the agency.

With a father in the U.S. Army, she graduated high school in Nuremberg, Germany before returning to the states to pursue a passion for law enforcement. Hawkins has worked in communications offices in Yolo County and Pacifica. In 2000, she became the first canine officer for the police department in Colma where she also served as an acting watch commander and field training officer. She holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral science from San Jose State University.

Parole Agent William "Billy" Harrison, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Over his more than 15-year career working in the California prison system, Parole Agent William "Billy" Harrison has covered a lot of ground. His experience included a stint as an institutional gang investigator, crime scene and evidence training, drug screener certification, acting roles as a correctional counselor and sergeant.

In 2010 Harrison started working with parolees in Red Bluff, and in 2011 was transferred to the Redding Global Positioning System Parole Unit where he helps monitor sex offenders. He has worked on the Shasta Interagency Drug Task Force, Shasta Anti-Gang Task Force, FBI Human/Minor Sex Trafficking Task Force Operations and Training, among others.

Officer Shon Hill, California Highway Patrol

Shon Hill's career with the California Highway Patrol has taken him across the state, from his first Los Angeles assignment in 1991 to his February 2013 transfer to the Redding office. He has worked as a motorcycle patrol officer, on the bomb detection team and helped serve warrants in multiple jurisdictions. Yet he will likely be remembered most for his passion for recovering stolen vehicles and bringing those offenders to justice. He has earned a remarkable 22 "10851" awards for his work on auto theft investigations and continues to focus on those offenses in the southern portion of Shasta County.

In 2011, while stationed in Red Bluff, his skills helped solve an attempted murder case at the Corning Rest Area along Interstate 5. Today Hill has more felony arrests than any other officer in the Redding office.

Officer Nathan Ramirez, Anderson Police Department

25-year-old Anderson native Nathan Ramirez is proud to serve on his home town's police force. A 2007 Anderson High School graduate, Ramirez returned to Shasta County to join the Anderson Police Department in October 2012 after a brief stint working in Stockton.

In his 18 months with the department, Ramirez has organized special enforcement details, worked on community projects and served as a part-time school resource officer for area schools. Chief Michael Johnson cites his dedication to helping underprivileged and struggling youth, along with his commitment for going well above and beyond the call of duty, as principle reasons for nominating him for this year's award.

If You Go:

What: 41st annual Shasta County Peace Officer of the Year awards

When: 11:30 a.m., Thursday

Where: Win-River Resort and Casino

Info: Eight officers, nominated by peers, will be honored for outstanding performance during the event hosted by the Exchange Club of Redding.

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