Press Release
Posted:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced his recipients for the Fifth Congressional District Public Safety Hero Award. This award is given to exceptional law enforcement officers and first responders in our community who perform above and beyond the call of duty. After careful consideration, Rep. Thompson selected Pinole Police Detective Zachary R. Blume, California Highway Patrol Officer Chad R. Tardiff, and the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department for their extraordinary work within Contra Costa County.
“This past year has been a busy, challenging time for law enforcement and first responders in our community. From the continued threat of gun violence to the devastating fires of October, these men and women have tirelessly dedicated themselves to keeping us safe,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “That’s why I am honored to present my annual “Public Safety Hero of the Year” awards to the courageous public servants across our district. To each and every one of you, I offer my heartfelt thanks. I’m incredibly proud to represent such brave, dedicated men and women.”
Over the last year, Detective Zach Blume has worked on many significant and high profile cases. In January, he responded to a freeway shooting at the Appian/Highway 80 overpass. Through his thorough investigative work he was able to successfully identify, arrest and charge multiple assailants. In addition, in response to a sexual abuse report at Pinole Valley High School, Detective Blume’s investigation identified led to successfully filing forty-seven felony charges against the suspect who was arrested with a bail of over $46 million. As a result of his superior detective work, Detective Blume has earned over 28 commendations and supervisor recognitions.
“I am honored to recognize Detective Zach Blume as a Public Safety Hero for Contra Costa County,” said Rep. Thompson. “Detective Blume’s detailed investigative work has resulted in numerous complicated and high profile cases being resolved, helping to make our communities safer.”
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Chad R. Tardiff is a mentor and leader in the CHP explorer program. He handled multiple cases this year, including a murder case, assisted the sheriff’s office in the finding a suicide gunshot victim, and aided with the investigation of a driving under the influence collision that resulted in a double child fatality. He is also a part of the Special Response Team that is dispatched to riots, civil disturbances, and in October was dispatched to assist with the evacuation and location of residents and other logistics during the fires in Sonoma, which consisted of 12 to 24 hour shifts.
“I am honored to recognize Officer Chad R. Tardiff as a Public Safety Hero for Contra Costa County. Tardiff has been an outstanding Officer with the California Highway Patrol,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “Tardiff is not only a mentor and a leader, but also helped to resolve cases involving gun violence as well as working around the clock to respond to the October wildfires.”
The Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department is a volunteer crew who have assisted with jobs within different surrounding counties. When they got the call at the end of business on the first day of the October fires, they left their day jobs and immediately headed to Napa and Santa Rosa to assist the initial strike team in the Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa. They had two rigs and 8 members up there for two weeks helping fight structure fires and evacuate residents.
“I am honored to recognize the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department as a Public Safety Hero for Contra Costa County,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “When disaster struck in Santa Rosa, this volunteer crew dropped everything to assist those in need as they have time after time. Battalion Chief Colombo and the entire Crockett Fire crew, we thank you for your service.”
The full list of the Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the 5th Congressional District is below:
- Officer Craig Long and Officer Aldo Serrano, Vallejo Police Department
- Captain Eric Strom, Vallejo Fire Department
- Robert J. Fenton, Jr., Regional Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX
- Mark Ghilarducci, Director of Cal Office Emergency Services
- Shana Jones, CAL FIRE Unit Chief for Napa-Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino
- Officer Chad R. Tardiff, California Highway Patrol
- Detective Zachary R. Blume, Pinole Police Department
- Undersheriff Chris Macedo, Lake County Sheriff's Office
- Mike Ciancio, Northshore Fire Protection District
- Jodi Traversaro, Cal Office Emergency Services Regional Administrator
- Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office
- Santa Rosa Fire Department
- Santa Rosa Police Department
- Cotati Police Department
- Kenwood Fire Protection District
- Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue
- Rincon Valley Fire District
- Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Station
- Schell Vista Fire Department
- Rohnert Park’s Department of Public Safety
- Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department
- City of Calistoga Fire Department
- City of St. Helena Fire Department
- Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann
- Napa County Fire Department
- City of Napa Fire Department
- American Canyon Fire Protection District
- City of Calistoga Police Department
- City of St. Helena Police Department
- City of Napa Police Department
- City of American Canyon Police Department
- Napa County Sheriff John Robertson
- Napa County Sheriff’s Office
