By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Kelly Martinez, recognized local community partners who support and strengthen community programs in San Diego County.
The inaugural Sheriff’s Community Partnership Awards: Honoring the Champions for Community Safety was held Tuesday at the Powerhouse Community Center in Del Mar.
The awards recognize individuals, organizations and businesses who have gone above and beyond to support Sheriff’s Office programs, public safety initiatives, and community engagement efforts throughout San Diego County.
The winners were nominated by Sheriff’s Office employees, including deputies, professional staff and Sheriff’s Leadership Team.
Sheriff Martinez praised the community partners for taking the initiative to help keep the San Diego region safe.
“This is more than just a ceremony,” said Sheriff Martinez. “It is the beginning of a new tradition—one that celebrates the power of partnership, the strength of community, and the shared commitment we all have to public safety.”
The five award categories for the Sheriff’s Community Partnership Awards are:
The Community Champion Award celebrates five honorees whose leadership and advocacy have built bridges between law enforcement and the people they serve.
The Corporate Partnership Award honors the vital role the private sector plays in investing in safer, healthier communities.
The Community-Based Organization Award honors those who work on the front lines—providing services, support, and second chances.
The Government/Agency Collaboration Award highlights the power of interagency cooperation and the impact they can have when they work together.
The Youth and Education Partnership Award shines a light on those who are shaping the future by empowering young people today.
Here are the award winners:
Community Champion Award
- Jeannie Stratis – Bears For Badges
- Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey – Palomar College
- Dr. Casey Adamson – People Assisting the Homeless
- Dr. Beatriz Villareal – Mano A Mano Foundation
- Alejandro Tamayo – San Diego County Office of Education – Migrant Education Program
Corporate Partnership Award
- Kevin Herrera – Northgate Markets
Community-Based Organization Award
- Sonja Hudson – Snowline Apple Orchard and Farm
Government/Agency Collaboration Award
- DeAnna Hernandez – County of San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
Youth & Education Partnership Award
- Jorge Nava – RESPECT Skateboard Program
Besides the Sheriff’s Community Partnership Award winners, several community partners were also recognized for consistently going the extra mile—supporting Sheriff’s Office programs, building trust and helping to create safer, more connected neighborhoods. Whether through volunteerism, advocacy, outreach, or collaboration, these honorees exemplify what it means to be a true community partner:
Sheriff’s Certificates of Recognition
- Zach Zimmerman and Madison Miller – Chick-Fil-A Santee
- Danny Leon – Danny’s Deli
- Tina Carlson – Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Mona Minton – Neighborhood House Association
- Jessica Peters – Café Moto
- Christine Christopher – Chick-Fil-A Santee
- Shanika Perkins and Jesse Gold – Target
“Public safety is not the responsibility of law enforcement alone. It is a shared promise—a collective effort that requires trust, communication, and action,” said Sheriff Martinez. “We honor those who have embraced that promise and turned it into progress.”
Sheriff Kelly Martinez and the Sheriff’s Office, congratulated all the winners and honorees for their continued partnership, commitment to service, belief in the power of community.
