Police awards given

No one would have blamed him if he had just let the car thief suspect die.

But Newport Beach Officer Josh Comte had to make a decision. Flames engulfed the car he had chased for several blocks ,and the 17-year-old driver just rocked back and forth.

Did he have a gun? Was he dangerous? Comte tried to pull him over when he saw the car swerving, but after he hit the lights the driver hit the gas.

Comte yelled at him to get out of the car.

The boy just kept rocking, unable to move apparently.

The heck with it, Comte rushed over to him, reached into the burning car and dragged the boy out.

Then the car exploded, shooting shrapnel up to 50 feet away.

But they both escaped alive.

And for his heroics, the Newport Beach police honored Comte Thursday with the Medal of Valor at the 37th annual Police Appreciation Breakfast.

Selfless action and dedication was the running theme for Thursday morning’s awards at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach hotel.

“You don’t even think about that you’re putting yourself at risk,” said Officer Justin Yee, accepting his lifesaving award for taking part in a drowning rescue off Balboa Pier.

Chief John Klein said the 2008 Officer of the Year recipient, David Moon, epitomized dedication.

A 28-year-veteran of the force, Moon has invaluable experience he teaches younger officers, Klein said.

As Klein praised him, Moon stood stiff, eyes to the ground, apparently humbled at all the accolades.

“I’m honored,” he said. “It hits you right in the gut.”

Moon passed up a detective job to spend his last years in the department in the busiest neighborhood during the most active hours in Newport Beach, Klein said.

Officer Randy Parker Sr. said anyone in the room would have done the same thing he did when he helped a California Highway Patrol officer wrestling with a man on the side of the road.

Parker was making his way through Baker when he saw the tussling, so he pulled over and helped end the fight, Klein said. The CHP chief called later and thanked Parker for helping. The officer was near exhaustion, and back-up was 10 minutes away, he said.

AWARD WINNERS

Officer David Moon – Officer of the Year

Sgt. Mike McDermott – Supervisor of the Year

Officer Josh Comte – Medal of Valor

Sgt. Charles Freeman, Officer Brice Hardy, Officer Bob Foss, Officer Brandon Rodriguez, Officer Justin Yee, Officer Randy Parker Sr., Det. Bob Watts, Det. Dave White, Det. Steve Rasmussen, Officer Save Syvock – Award of Merit

Officer Dave Moon, Officer Justin Yee, Officer Bob Foss – Lifesaving Award

Officer Rachel Johnson, Officer Paul Sarris, Officer Neal Schuster, Officer Troy Zeeman – Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award

Jennifer Manzella – Civilian of the Year

Dennis Hoo – Reserve Officer of the Year

Ed Karagozian – Volunteer of the Year

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].