Press Release
Posted:
Vallejo – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced Detective Michael Nakahara and Fire Chief Bret Butler as the 2025 Lake County Public Safety Heroes. Every year, Thompson honors first responders who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in our community.
“Our first responders go above and beyond to protect and serve the communities they call home. I am proud to recognize many of the public safety heroes in our district who go the extra mile to keep us safe,” said Thompson. “Detective Michael Nakahara displayed great courage, especially during a recent homicide investigation involving the first known death from fentanyl in the County of Lake. I am also proud to recognize Fire Captain Bret Butler for his leadership in his firehouse and as a Federal Excess Equipment Program Coordinator with CalFire. Detective Nakahara and Fire Captain Butler are both exemplary public servants who are well deserving of this recognition.”
Detective Michael Nakahara graduated from the San Joaquin Delta College P.O.S.T. Academy in 2021 and joined the Lake County Sheriff’s Department later that year. In 2024 he was promoted to the Major Crimes Unit, where he was assigned an investigation regarding the tragic death of a 17-year-old from fentanyl. Despite this being his first major case, detective Nakahara worked tirelessly to gather evidence and conduct interviews. His work led to the arrest and charging of a suspect who is now set to face trial next month. Detective Nakahara is also known for his contributions to our community outside of the Sheriff’s Department, notably as an assistant coach for the Youth Varsity Kelseyville Chiefs. His tenacity, dedication, and resolve make our community safer.
Fire Captain Bret Butler began his career as a firefighter before rising to the rank of Captain. He is locally recognized for his involvement in the Rice Fork community and thought of by many as the unofficial "Mayor." Most notably, Captain Butler is the leader of the Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District. He is responsible for many important local projects, including procuring and installing mile marker signs along popular rural roads, facilitating engines and ambulance donations, and personally installing a solar system on Fire Station 2. We thank Captain Butler for his leadership, selflessness, and love of our community.
Detective Nakahara and Captain Bret Butler’s actions are the epitome of what it means to be public servants. They, along with many other public safety officers and first responders, keep our communities and citizens safe. Congressman Thompson is honored to recognize them.
The full list of 2025 Public Safety Heroes for the Fourth Congressional district includes:
- Detective Michael Nakahara, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Lake County
- Captain Bret Butler, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Lake County
- Sergeant Erik Olson, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Napa County
- Station Lead Roger Lutz, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Napa County
- Officer Matthew Bowen, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Solano County
- EMT Michael Robinson, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Solano County
- Officer Murph, Canine Public Safety Hero, Solano County
- Detective Kelsea Nelson, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Sonoma County
- inRESPONSE Program, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Sonoma County
- Deputy Reiko Matsumura, Law Enforcement Public Safety Hero, Yolo County
- Battalion Chief Emily Lo, Fire/EMS Public Safety Hero, Yolo County