DA Rosen gives state of the office speech and annual office awards
For release on February 29, 2024
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DA Rosen gives state of the office speech and annual office awards
An investigator got a last-minute confession from a woman whose false rape report convulsed the Stanford campus. A forensic criminalist whose expertise in gun and bullet striations solved violent crimes. An attorney whose success came in the most complex and controversial sex assault cases.
This year’s Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office Annual Awards showcased a year’s worth of striving for justice and helping victims. The awards recognize outstanding work by the Office’s prosecutors, investigators, criminalists, paralegals, and support staff. Each year, the Office also recognizes a courageous crime victim.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen also gave his State of the Office speech, with this year’s theme of each person in the office leaving a legacy of safety and fairness for the community.
DA Rosen said: “How lucky are we? To serve with wonderful people, who work so hard, face obstacles, and yet overcome with their intelligence, with their heart and with their will. Our community needs you. Our community is depending on you.”
The Office also gave this year’s “Courage” award to two local drivers who faced off with armed and extremely dangerous criminals while calmly protecting the public.
VTA Bus Driver Carlos Zarate was confronted on his regular route by a man with a machete threatening to kill him. When an elderly woman attempted to board the bus, Mr. Zarate advised her in Spanish not to enter the bus because it was not safe. Eventually, he convinced the man that he should stop the bus, upon which police peacefully arrested the armed man.
Mitch Ellerd was carjacked by a couple armed with a shotgun as he drove his UPS truck. He intentionally drove the truck slowly and steered over spike strips in the roadway.
Eventually, surrounded by police, one suspect surrendered, and Mr. Ellerd was eventually let go. The carjacker ran from the truck with shotgun in hand and was killed by police, while Joanna Macy Rogers will be sentenced to life in prison next month.
Here is a complete list of the winners:
- Rolanda Pierre-Dixon Award – Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice: DDA Alisa Esser-Kahn
- Karyn Sinunu-Towery Courage Award: Carlos Zarate and Mitch Ellerd
- Napoleon J. Menard Award: DDA Marina Mankaryous
- Robert L. Webb Award – Excellence in Misdemeanor Trials: DDA Ciara Muñoz
- Paralegal Excellence Award: Senior Paralegal Shalese Huang
- Michael P. Brown Investigator Award: Criminal Investigator Sheena Woodland
- Lowell W. Bradford Achievement of Excellence Award: Criminalist Brian Karp
- Award of Excellence in Community Service: Victim Advocate Brianna Leon
- Award of Excellence in Support Service: Legal Secretary Maria Serrano
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