Watch the Virtual Recognition of Police and Fire Honorees

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The 2021 Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Service Awards was held virtually on March 12.  Pre-pandemic, this event has been the Installation and Community Awards Dinner held at the Citrus Heights Community Center on Fountain Square.

This year’s awards program, recorded and available on Facebook and YouTube was co-hosted by Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Diane Ebbitt-Riehle and 2021 Chamber President Amanda Camacho.

At each installation and awards event, the chamber has recognized a member of the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHDP) and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

This year Officer Greg Boehm and Sac Metro Fire Captain Joe Schmitt received recognition and a plaque for outstanding service to their departments in 2019.

Both Boehm and Schmitt could be called ambassadors for their essential jobs, carrying out the mission statements for each and every aspect of their lives.  Excellence to them is not only doing their job but reaching out to their communities to make a difference.

Officer Boehm is an excellent example of how CHPD strives to work in partnership with the City, businesses, the chamber and residents.

To present Greg Boehm with the Chamber of Commerce Police Officer Year, Chief Lawrence surprised him at his team briefing.

Lawrence stated in the chamber video that Boehm is a shining example of the CHPD mission not to police to the community but to police with their community. Using the training and experience he has gained throughout his career Boehm works not only to solve day-to-day issues on his job, but is constantly looking for long term solutions to issues as they represent themselves.

Boehm began his career in police work with the California Highway Patrol in 2014.  He served as a reserve officer with CHPD in 2015 and was hired full time in 2018. Presently Boehm is a member of the Operations Division which includes Patrol, SWAT, Canine, Traffic/Motors and Field Training.

Boehm is an important member of the Crisis Negation Team and Bicycle Patrol Team.  He is a founder and active member of the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) team (drones), working on many critical incidents including at-risk missing persons and indoor drone flights to aid in officer safety. He now trains and certifies new drone pilots.

Boehm uses his Crisis Negotiation Team training while on patrol to help solve problems while looking for long term solutions, listing a recent critical incident where Boehm talked a subject down and negotiated a safe surrender without injury to anyone.

In an online quote, Chief Lawrence said of Boehm, “While we have many great officers who do great work, Officer Boehm stands out as a model officer with a fair and balanced approach. He is an outstanding police officer who personifies what it means to connect with our community.”

In a virtual presentation, Sac Metro Fire District Chief Tom Harms awarded Captain Joe Schmitt with the chamber’s 2019 Firefighter of the Year plaque. While Schmitt was a firefighter in 2019, he has since advanced to captain. Schmitt was nominated by his peers in 2019 for his leadership, helping others, community activities, positive attitude and work ethic.

Schmitt began his fire service career with CAL FIRE in 2005, and joined the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (Metro Fire) in April 2013. He is currently assigned as the Captain on Engine 24A, proudly serving the communities of Carmichael, Foothill Farms, and North Highlands.

In the chamber video Harms said, “He embodies an endless effort for self-improvement, community involvement, and active engagement in opportunities that not only make him more valuable to our profession, but enhance the lives of all of our members and the community we serve.”

One such outreach Schmitt is involved with is Metro Fire’s Fire Camp. This multi-day youth camp is a program created to expose youth in our communities to the importance of teamwork and self-confidence and provides them a basic understanding of the fire service. The exposure to these values encourages personal integrity and the realization that much of life is about working with others to achieve common goals and objectives.

The entire presentation can be viewed on the CH Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Source: Citrus Heights Police Department and Sac Metro Fire District