Thank you Sponsors
City of Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
TeamLogic IT, Rancho Cucamonga
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals
Angel Jewelers - Special Donations to three Charities chosen by the departments:The Sheriff’s Employee Assistance Team,
Rancho Cucamonga Firefighters’ Association and the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Center.
Chaffey Federal Credit Union
State Farm Insurance – Mike Gaumer
2026 Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Appreciation Celebration
Fiefighter of the Year: Ashley Carter
Ashley Carter has been with the Fire District since 2021. Before working for the Fire District, she was a Division 1 Collegiate Softball Coach. Fire Engineer Carter has been involved many programs including Honor Guard, Fire Explorers, Rancho Cucamonga Firefighters’ Association – IAFF Local 2274 social media, and Academy Instructor. Carter attended Cal State Fullerton, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She also attended Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a master’s degree in business. Carter enjoys snowboarding, traveling, and coaching softball during her days off.
Non-Sworn Employee of the Year: Mackenzie Rojer
Mackenzie has been with the Fire District since July 2024. She came to the Fire District from the Claremont Colleges – Pomona College, where she held a data analyst position. She graduated from California Baptist University with a master’s in business administration, specializing in business analytics and management. In Mackenzie’s role as the Fire District’s first Data Analyst, she tells the story of the Fire District through data and drives data-driven decisions in the Fire District. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys reading, golfing, and practicing yoga to stay balanced and focused.
Team Citation Award: Training and EMS Division
The Training and EMS Division of the Fire District plays a critical role in advancing public safety through high-quality emergency medical services, comprehensive firefighter training, and strong regional partnerships. This division’s dedication, professionalism, and forward-thinking approach continue to enhance the safety and well-being of the Rancho Cucamonga community.
Volunteer of the Year: Fred Comeau
Fred Comeau has been volunteering his time to the Rancho Cucamonga Firefighters’ Pipes and Drums band since 2015. His commitment to our department has resulted in countless hours of his personal time playing in important events like Badge Pinning Ceremonies, firefighter funerals, State of the City, and 9/11 Remembrance Ceremonies. The band is a massive part of the Fire District’s culture, and we are immensely grateful that he chooses to spend his free time playing in the band. While Fred is not rocking the base drums for the Fire District, he also plays in three other bands, volunteers for the La Verne Heritage Foundation, and spends time with his grandkids and grand-pups. Fun fact, Fred Comeau is the father of our Deputy Fire Chief Chad Comeau!
Explorer of the Year: Lily Perrette
Lily joined the Fire Explorer post in 2022, during her time as a fire explorer she has demonstrated an exception work ethic and dedication to giving back to the organization through volunteering her time at programs like Jr. Firefighter Camp and Open House. She is committed to honing her firefighting skills and hoping to one day become a full-time firefighter. Outside of the Fire District Lily works at In-N-Out Burger, going to hockey games and being outside off roading or camping.
Deputy of the Year: Deputy Matthew Habell
Deputy Mathew Habell has served with the Sheriff’s Department since March 2013. He started his career at the West Valley Detention Center before transferring to the Rancho Cucamonga Station in 2017. While at Rancho Cucamonga, he has worked patrol and was later selected for the traffic division, where he has completed extensive advanced training, including basic, intermediate, advanced, and collision reconstruction courses.
Currently assigned to the traffic division, Deputy Habell leads his unit in enforcement and continues to set the standard for productivity and initiative. He has earned recognition as a MADD Award recipient and has taken on additional responsibilities, including an assignment with the county’s Major Accident Investigation Team.
Deputy Habell was also selected as a Field Training Officer and has begun shaping the next generation of deputies through his mentorship and leadership. His professionalism, dedication, and outstanding performance make him deserving of the Deputy of the Year award.
Professional Staff of the Year: Loren Mendoza
Loren Mendoza has been a dedicated member of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department since February 2017. Throughout her career, she has steadily advanced through the department, beginning as a Records Clerk at Central Records Headquarters, later serving in the Employee Resources Division, and promoting through Civil Enforcement/Court Services before earning her current position as an Office Specialist assigned to the Rancho Cucamonga Station in November 2019.
Currently assigned to the Public Safety Facility (PSF), Loren manages critical clerical operations including the Uniform Crime Reporting entries, which is required by state law to report the department’s statistics to the Department of Justice. She also serves as a liaison between headquarters and station clerks and assists substation personnel while coordinating with city staff for operational needs. Loren is recognized for her strong attention to detail, organization, and reliability in ensuring accurate and timely reporting to the county.
Loren is known for her professionalism and excellent customer service skills, consistently providing courteous and effective assistance to both the public and department personnel. She is proactive in identifying issues, developing solutions, and supporting the operational needs of the station. She has also assisted in training clerical staff and continues to show interest in professional development and expanding her expertise in reporting systems.
Sheriff’s Service Specialist of the Year: Natalie Reyes
Natalie Reyes has been a dedicated public safety professional for over 11 years. She began her career with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in 2015, assigned to the West Valley Detention Center, where she worked as a Sheriff’s Custody Assistant.
From 2021 to 2023, Natalie was transferred to the Scientific Investigation Division, where she served as a Sheriff’s Service Specialist (SSS) assigned to evidence storage and processing. She demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and accountability in handling critical evidence. In 2023, she continued her role as an SSS on patrol, and was assigned to the Rancho Cucamonga station, supporting calls for service and contributing to efficient field operations.
Natalie is actively involved in community events throughout the city, strengthening public trust and engagement. She has received specialized training in fingerprint and DNA processing for patrol operations and plays a key role in training and mentoring other SSS personnel. Her commitment, reliability, and service-oriented approach make her a valuable asset and highly deserving of recognition.
Reserve Deputy of the Year: Oshin Karami
Since joining the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Rancho Cucamonga Reserve Unit in 2014, Deputy Oshin has demonstrated versatility through a wide range of assignments. He has helped with patrol operations, gang enforcement, retail theft suppression, 290 compliance sweeps, rodeo operations, DUI enforcement, and Quakes Stadium details. He has also helped with community events such as Boy Scouts functions, Shop with a Cop, Christmas Tree Lighting, and the Rancho Cucamonga Open House. He consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, averaging approximately 800 volunteer hours annually, in support of the Rancho Cucamonga station’s mission.
Over the past six years, Deputy Oshin has served as a Unit Commander, where he has exhibited strong leadership, accountability, and effective operational oversight. He is relied upon to manage personnel, coordinate enforcement efforts, and ensure objectives are met in a safe and efficient manner.
Deputy Oshin remains actively engaged with the community, regularly participating in local events. He takes pride in the annual Shop with a Cop, where he builds positive relationships with children and families while representing the department in a professional and approachable manner.
Volunteer of the Year: Daryl Van Dran
Daryl Van Dran is a Rancho Cucamonga Citizen On Patrol member who started with the station in 2014. In his 12 years with the volunteers, he quickly rose through the ranks and became a squad leader as well as a Field Training Officer, passing along his experience and wisdom to new members. He has served as the Vice Commander and Commander overseeing the 15-20 volunteers in the city.
He also leads the county's only COP Bike Patrol Team where he and fellow members conduct extra patrols on the bike trails and areas not normally covered by either deputies or COPs in vehicles. They were instrumental in finding a critical missing adult near Milliken Park several years ago and helped deputies reunite the subject with his family.
Daryl's personality and good nature make him a good ambassador during many of the city and RCPD Station's various events. He enjoys participating at events such as Hoops For Heroes, Hop With A Cop, Concerts in the Park, National Night Out as well as the Ron Ives Bike Rodeo.
Daryl has dedicated over 2,400 hours of his time with the volunteers and consistently ranks as one of the team members with the most hours logged every year. He is a role model for the members of the RCPD COPs as well as the department.
Humane Hero Award: Dale Gose
Dale Gose has served as a Registered Veterinary Technician at the City’s Animal Center for 20 years. Her responsibilities include assessments of sick and injured animals, administering treatments, performing exams, collecting lab samples, taking radiographs, and responding to medical emergencies. Ms. Gose also leads a high‑volume surgery team that routinely completes more than 25 procedures daily. She has expanded her expertise to include dental radiographs, extractions, and plasma transfusions—highly specialized veterinary practices.
Ms. Gose consistently supports her teammates and readily provides coverage during staffing shortages. She is a patient, knowledgeable mentor to new staff members and regularly contributes ideas to enhance workflow and maintain exceptional patient care standards.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, as well as caring for her fur‑ and feather‑ed family members. She and her husband are tackling a home remodeling project while still finding time for hiking, camping, and supporting their children’s school and sports activities.
Ms. Gose is proud to serve her community and grateful for this recognition.
Humane Hero Award: Mariana Perez-Aguirre
Mariana Perez-Aguirre was born in Long Beach, California, and has built her life on responsibility, resilience, and service. She embraced leadership early and learned the importance of accountability and setting a positive example.
Ms. Perez‑Aguirre earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with a minor in Sociology, gaining a strong understanding of law enforcement and the dynamics of community relationships. She applies this foundation as an Animal Service Officer II with the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Center, where she responds to cases of animal cruelty and neglect, enforce public safety ordinances, and provides community education.
Outside of work, she enjoys marathon running, hiking, and high‑energy creative pursuits. She also finds grounding in solitary time at the beach, a space that restores her balance and well‑being.
Humane Hero Award: Monica Schusse
Monica Schusse is a long-time resident of the Inland Empire, having lived and worked in the region for most of her life. Rancho Cucamonga has been her home for the past 18 years. In her personal time, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, family outings, and anything related to animals.
Ms. Schusse retired from public service in 2017. Shortly after retiring, she began volunteering at the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Care Center. Throughout her life, she has cared for a variety of pets—including dogs, birds, fish, shrimp, and turtles. Although she once considered becoming a veterinarian as a child, she ultimately discovered that she preferred to contribute to animal care in other meaningful ways.
Her volunteer work at the shelter allows her to apply the skills she developed over nearly 30 years of public service, while continuing to engage with people from diverse backgrounds. Combined with her deep love for animals, volunteering has brought her the opportunity to meet many individuals and witness countless animals find loving homes. She considers her experience at the shelter a true blessing.
Ms. Schusse is honored to receive this recognition.