Dispatcher in Nieto Shooting Honored: Dispatcher Rafael Guzman named "Dispatcher of the Year"
04/10/2007
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer is proud to announce that Dispatcher Rafael Guzman has been named "Dispatcher of the Year" by his peers at the Fresno Police Department.
Guzman was the dispatcher assigned to the "Motors" channel on July 31, 2006 the night Joaquin Figueroa shot and nearly killed Officer Brian Nieto. Dispatcher Guzman is credited with maintaining a sense of calm and giving clear directions during a very intense time for officers tending to Officer Nieto and those involved in the search for the suspect.
Dispatcher Guzman will be honored at the Public Safety Communications Association Banquet on April 14, 2007 at the Clovis Memorial Building, 453 Hughes Avenue in Clovis.
The banquet is the culmination of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, which runs April 8 - 14.
Dispatcher Guzman also recently received the Fresno Police Department's "Outstanding Achievement Award" at the Department's Major Commendation Ceremony held March 26, 2007 at City Hall. A DVD video clip of Guzman receiving his award is available.
Please contact Public Information Officer Jeff Cardinale at 621-2486 or 978-9687 (cell) with any media inquiries.