By Samantha Schaefer
Orange County Register
IRVINE, Calif. — Irvine police officers were recently honored for outstanding service at the 41st Annual Irvine Police Department Awards Banquet.
Det. Jonathan Sampson was named Police Officer of the Year for his professionalism and high quality work, which have garnered citizen commendations. He’s investigated some of the most serious crimes, including robbery, homicide and crimes against children.
Sampson was nominated by peers and supervisors for the award, and is know as a confident, highly-skilled investigator with a humble and courteous demeanor.
He has worked at the department since 2004, and is assigned to the Crossroads area.
Det. Jerry Waterlander earned the Medal of Valor for successfully helping the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department apprehend a suspect now awaiting trail for a number of felony charges.
Waterlander and the deputy sustained substantial injuries while subduing the suspect.
Waterlander is assigned to the investigations bureau, where he investigates residential/commercial burglary in the Portola area and is also the recipient of a Lifesaving Award.
The Civilian Officer of the Year was awarded to Public Safety Assistant Andrew Zelinko, who was nominated several times for his many contributions to the department.
A computer and social media expert, he contributes to the crime prevention unit by creating and presenting information in internet safety, and assists detectives with arrests using his knowledge of social media.
Zelinko, who has been with the city of Irvine for 10 years, was re-assigned to the Public Information Office mid-year, where he has worked to establish a social media presence for the police department.
The March 1 event was hosted by the Exchange Club of Irvine and the Irvine Police Department at no cost to the department.
Copyright 2012 Orange County Register