by Morgan Montalvo
WOAI News
More than three dozen San Antonio Police Department officers, a school district patrolman, and eight citizens were recognized for going above and beyond, as part of Thursday evening's annual SAPD Awards Ceremony at the Lila Cockrell Theater, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The awards ranged from certificates of appreciation for citizens who kept officers fed and hydrated during daylong incidents, citizen merit awards for initiative, a citizen hero award, and memorable officer customer service, to life saving.
Among the honorees were Detective Edward Pedraza and Officer Juanita Lange, each awarded lifesaving medals for their quick thinking during an early 2018 house fire that trapped a man inside.
"We ran in, we found where he was at, because the family wasn't sure where he was at inside the house," Pedraza said. "We started basically pulling him out. As the fire was getting closer, we enlisted the help of one of the neighbors."
Thirty lifesaving medals were awarded, including one to a San Antonio ISD patrolman who assisted SAPD.
Also recognized were the department's Officer of the Year, Detective of the Year, and a woman who painted portraits of fallen SAPD officers.
Two officers were awarded department Purple Hearts, and one officer was presented with a Medal of Valor.
PHOTO:
Officer Juanita Lange and Detective Edward Pedraza were presented with lifesaving medals for their rescue of a man from a burning home in early 2018 during Thursday's San Antonio Police Dept. Annual Awards Ceremony. Photo by Morgan Montalvo