After a four-year hiatus, the Rotary Club of Colusa resumed its annual recognition of local peace officers nominated by their superiors for outstanding performance, dedication to the community, and actions above and beyond the call of service.
The five law enforcement officers from Colusa County area agencies received high praise as “Peace Officer of the Year” at a luncheon, with their families and superiors in attendance, during the Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at the Colusa Golf & Country Club on Nov. 8.
The last recognition ceremony Rotary held for local peace officers was in 2018. It was reimplemented last week by Rotary President Jennifer Diaz.
“This is something we wanted to start doing again,” Diaz said.
Top cops for 2022 are Colusa Police Officer Newbrian Lee, Williams Police Sgt. Juan Grajeda, Colusa County Sheriff’s Deputy Leanne Knutson, Colusa County Senior District Attorney Investigator Nathan Hutson, Colusa County Deputy Probation Officer Juan Jesus Gill, and Williams CHP Area Officer Kyle Zerbel.
Knutson received the award previously in 2009, when she served as a City of Colusa police officer.
After brief introductions by department heads, Diaz presented each officer with a plaque from the club, but it was recognition from outgoing California State Senator Jim Nielsen that was the highlight of the ceremony.
Nielsen presented each of the peace officers a framed Resolution from the State Legislature, as he did on several prior occasions as a member of the California Assembly, but as an author of California’s landmark Victims’ Bill of Rights and Marsy’s Law and tireless advocate for tougher criminal penalties, the former Chair of the Board of Prison Terms’ admiration for the role peace officers play in society was heartfelt for the 79-year-old, who leaves public service this month after 40 years.
“On behalf of Assemblyman (James) Gallagher and myself, this Senate Resolution is recognition for what you do everyday,” Nielsen said during his presentations. “The award is very special because we know what’s behind this and what you do is a lot of history, a lot of training, and a lot of experience on your beats – day and night. And it’s a tough time for you now but we stand up for you. And there are a lot of people who care about what you do.”
Although Nielsen gave a personal tribute to the officers with each presentation, he especially singled out the work of Probation Officer Gil and the Probation Department, which has evolved over the years by changes in California law, which Nielsen vehemently opposed, which essentially eliminated state parole and pushed the supervisory duties of parolees (now called Post Release Community Supervision) to local jurisdictions, in addition to early release, cashless bail, the removal of enhancement punishments, and reduced penalties for non-violent crimes, including theft and property crimes.
Gill serves as an adult probation officer and sex offender PRCS officer. He graduated from Colusa High School in 2009 and received his bachelor’s degree from California State University, in Sacramento, in 2012.
Gil started his probation career in Colusa County in 2013, before becoming a juvenile Deputy Probation Officer in Yolo County in 2015.
He returned to the Colusa County Probation Department in 2020.
In today’s world, probation officers serve – in addition to supervision of criminals released from jail or prison – as counselors, case planners, facilitators, and teachers, while connecting probationers to evidence-based resources.
“The job probation officers have now is more difficult than it had been before…” Nielsen said. “Their job has been made much more complicated and they have not been given more tools, and that is unfortunate.”
Probation Chief Michael Rogers and the entire Probation Department nominated Gill for Peace Officer of the Year because he is dedicated, a team player, a team builder, flexible, and always willing to step up.
“As a group, Juan was selected to represent them all here today, and I think that is very special,” Rogers said. “It tells and clearly demonstrates his outstanding performance is being observed not just by supervisors, not just management, but by all line staff.”
Williams Police Sgt. Grajeda is a graduate of Pierce High School and California State University, in Sacramento. He oversees department functions and ensures the day-to-day operations of the department are handled accordingly.
Police Chief Jim Saso said Grajeda has a strong desire to provide better law enforcement and working environment to reduce crime by working closely with stakeholders in the community.
“Sgt. Grajeda demonstrates professionalism, dedication, and is a credit to our profession,” Saso said.
Colusa Police Officer Lee graduated from the Yuba College Police Academy in 2017 and immediately joined the Colusa Police Department. In 2022, he was recognized by his superiors for his performance and assistance with a vehicle pursuit. He also received the department’s Life Saving Award by quickly arriving on scene for a choking baby and successfully rendering medical aid.
“Officer Lee continues to be a role model within the department,” said Colusa Police Lt. Sara Martin. “Without hesitation, he is always willing to help out…Officer Lee possesses the traits of an excellent police officer and represents the Colusa Police Department with utmost professionalism.”
Colusa County Sheriff’s Deputy Leanne Kutson is known by just about everyone, particularly Colusa County youth. She graduated from Colusa High School in 1992 and the College of the Siskyous. She started her law enforcement career in Colusa in 2005 and has worked since 2012 as the Sheriff’s school resource officer and DARE and G.R.E.A.T instructor, among other duties, including patrol, court bailiff, and field training officer.
“Everyone in our profession is replaceable; you’re a fool if you think you’re not,” Sheriff Joe Garafalo said. “However, there are a few that will prove difficult to replace – and Leanne is one of those. I just hope she retires before me so I won’t have to replace her.”
DA Investigator Hutson is a native of Grass Valley and served in the U.S. Army from 2002-2005, and was commended for actions in combat in the Iraq War.
Hutson holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from California Coastal University, where he graduated cum laude in 2019.
Hutson served for, and was awarded by, several law enforcement agencies during his career, and came from the Citrus Heights Police Department to the Colusa County District Attorney’s office in 2021, where he had been part of multiple investigations, including officer-involved critical incidents, child abduction, fraud, and various sex crimes. He is part of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force.
District Attorney Matthew Beauchamp, a member of the Colusa Rotary, said Hutson was recently recognized by his department for his efforts in combating online sexual predators that target children.
‘To date, we have successfully arrested 16 predators, all of which – if gone unchecked – would have victimized our communities and our youth,” Beauchamp said.
CHP Officer Zerbel and his commanding officer were unable to attend the ceremony, but Zerbel was still recognized as the department’s nominee as Peace Officer of the Year.
Zerbel is originally from Grass Valley and graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy in 2015. He transferred to the Williams CHP from the Lake County area in 2019. He currently holds the position of CHP officer, Advance Officer Safety Training Instructor, and Arrest, Control, Baton, and Electric Weapons Instructor.
Zerbel was nominated by his agency for being a hard worker, giving 100 percent in all he does, and for being an overall good person. ■