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2/2/78
RESOLUTION NO. 78-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA AWARDING THE FIRST SANTA ANA POLICE
MEDAL OF VALOR TO OFFICER RONALD WAYNE BERENSCHOT
FOR CONSPICUOUS BRAVERYv HEROISM, AND VALOR
WHEREAS, on November 12, 1977, Officer Ronald Wayne
Berenschot was on duty in the City of Santa Ana in a patrol
car and was assigned to follow-up another officer on a possible
burglary in progress call at 517 South Western Street; and
wHEREAs, upon arriving at the scene of the burglary,
which was in fact in progress, Officer Berenschot found that
he had been preceded there by Senior Officer Daniel Allan
Hale; and
wHEREAS, as Officer Berenschot began circling the
house to investigate the burglary, unknown to him, Senior
Officer Hale had entered the premises and confronted two armed
burglars who shot and mortally wounded him; and
WHEREAS, upon hearing the shot from the interior
of the residence, Officer Berenschot immediately entered the
residence to go to Senior Officer Hale's aid, and was confronted
by gunfire from the suspects; and
wHEREAS, Officer Berenschot returned to his patrol
car, radioed for assistance, obtained his shotgun, and took
cover behind Senior Officer Hale's car; and
wHEREAS, while calling to citizens in the area to
seek cover and calling upon the burglars to surrender, Officer
Berenschot returned the fire of the burglars and wounded one
of them, whereupon the second burglar fled and was pursued
by Officer Berenschot, during which pursuit Officer Berenschot
and the fleeing burglar exchanged gunfire; and
wHEREAS, despite the danger to his own safety, Officer
Berenschot continued to warn citizens standing in the area
to seek cover from the gunfire, and was able to bring the
pursuit to a successful conclusion by mortally wounding the
burglar.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA:
That this Council hereby finds and determines that
Officer Ronald Wayne Berenschot, on November 12, 1977, in
the City of Santa Aha, while faced with the risk of great
personal danger, and in support of a fellow officer and friend,
displayed conspicuous bravery, heroism, and valor against
the odds, while maintaining his coolheaded concern for the
safety of innocent citizens standing by the scene of the exchange
of gunfire, and that Officer Ronald Wayne Berenschot be, and
RESOLUTION NO. 78-13
PAGE TWO
he is hereby designated by this Council as, the first police
officer of the City of Santa Ana to receive the Santa Ana
Police Medal of Valor, which medal is hereby awarded to Officer
Ronald Wayne Berenschot.
ADOPTED this 6th day of February
1978, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEN: Ward, Garthe, 0rtiz, Yamamoto,
Evans~ Brandt
NOES: COUNCILMEN: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEN: Bricken
ATTEST:
MAYOR
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY