Lemoore police officer to be honored at annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon

Lemoore’s Matthew Smith, a corporal with the Lemoore Police Department, is this year’s Lemoore honoree. Smith, 33, is a former Marine who upon his discharge, decided he wanted to become a police officer. So when he got out of the Marines, he joined his parents who had recently moved from San Jose to Clovis and entered the Fresno Police Academy.

“I went into the Marine Corps,” said Smith. “When I got out I used the GI Bill. I got hired by the Lemoore Police Department right after graduation. Lemoore is my first job.”

He joined the Lemoore Police Department in 2008. Currently, he’s assigned as a detective and follows up on crimes, checks on officers, making sure the job gets done. He’s also a Field Training Officer (FTO). “I also do training for the new officers.” He’s also the department’s range master and was on the SWAT team for several years.

“It sounds corny, but I like to help the people who need help,” he said. “Essentially that’s what the job entails. It takes a lot of work and a lot of investigation. I just like helping people in general.”

“Corporal Smith has distinguished himself as a well-respected leader within our organization,” said Lemoore Chief Darrel Smith. “He has excelled in every assignment he has held in our department and consistently sets the tone for others to emulate. I am very proud of Smith and his dedication and commitment to our organization and our community are worthy of recognition.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Hanford Chamber office, located at 113 Court St. Suite 104. You can also call the Chamber at 582-0483 for additional information.

Other honorees include:

• Officer Chad Medeiros – Hanford Police Department
• Firefighter Dustin Costa – Hanford Fire Dept.
• Paramedic Ben Barnett – American Ambulance
• Officer John Tyler – California Highway Patrol
• Investigator Chris Jackson – District Attorney’s Office
• DPO II Maria Gonzalez – Kings County Probation Depart.
• Senior Deputy Taylor Lopes – Kings County Sheriff’s Department
• Sergeant Pedro Castro Jr. – Corcoran Police Department
• Capt. Jeremy Fahlsing – Kings County Fire Dept.
• Senior Detentions Deputy Dan Ulery – Kings County Sheriff Detention
• Parole Agent 1 Susan Rodriguez – State of California Parole
• Welfare Fraud Investigator Jennifer Rodriguez – Kings County Human Services