Antioch Police promote two more officers during ceremony, Thursday
New Corporal, James Stenger, left and new Sergeant John Fortner, right, with Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando, following the promotion ceremony, Thursday, January 21, 2016. photo courtesy APD
At a brief ceremony at the Antioch Police Facility on Thursday afternoon, January 21st, Antioch Police Officers James Stenger and John Fortner were promoted to the new positions of Corporal and Sergeant respectively.
The following information was provided by Chief Cantando about each of the two officers who were promoted on Thursday.
Sergeant John Fortner
Sergeant Fortner has been a police officer with the City of Antioch since August 20th of 2001. Prior to working at APD he was employed with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department for approximately (2) years, where he was assigned to the Martinez Detention Facility. While working with CCCSO, he was also a Reserve Police Officer with the City of Antioch starting in January of 2000.
Prior to his career in law enforcement John was enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1990 to 1998 where he received an Honorable Discharge.
Sergeant Fortner was assigned to the Patrol Division from 2001 -2013. While on patrol he was appointed to the APD’s Honor Guard Team, and became a certified Dispatcher to assist them during low staffing levels.
In 2004, he was assigned to the APD’s Special Weapons and Tactics team, and became a Team Leader.
In 2006, he was appointed as a Field Training Officer, and was assigned to APD’s Special Response Unit.
In 2013, he was assigned to the Investigations Bureau Violent Crimes Unit and was appointed as a Firearms Instructor.
In November 2013, John was promoted to Corporal. As a Corporal he was appointed to supervise the Reserve Officer Program, the SWAT Team and SWAT Team Proactive Patrol Details, the Explorer Post, Special Events, and the Northern California Special Olympics Torch Run and charitable Tip-a-Cop events. In addition to those programs
John is a Department Firearms Instructor and SWAT Team Instructor.
Awards
– Medal of Valor
– Meritorious Service Award
Corporal Fortner lives in Brentwood and has been married to his wife, Stephany since 1995. They have twin daughters, Sophia and Jacqueline, who are 12-years-old.
Corporal James Stenger
Corporal James Stenger was sworn into the Antioch Police Department as a Police Officer in September 2002. Prior to becoming a Police Officer he worked as a Part-time CSO while attending the San Joaquin Delta College Police Academy. Before Corporal Stenger started working at APD he served as a US Army Calvary Scout from 1989 – 1992.
Corporal Stenger worked Patrol from 2002 – 2007. In 2005 he was appointed as a Field Training Officer and was appointed as a First Aid/CPR Instructor in 2006. In 2008 he was appointed as an APD Gang Investigator and was appointed to the PACT Team (Police and Community Together Team). Corporal Stenger moved up to Investigations in February 2010 and was assigned as Investigation’s VCU Detective until 2014. In 2015 he served as Acting Sergeant of Investigations.
During his career here at APD, Corporal Stenger has testified over 30 times as an expert witness regarding Criminal Street Gangs, assisted with the investigation of almost 60 homicides, and assisted in the investigation of 15 critical incidents.
Awards
– 1991 Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device for valor from actions during combat
– 2002 Top Academic Award 96.3% and True Grit Award from San Joaquin Delta College Police Academy
– 2010 Meritorious Service Award
– 2011 Officer of the Year
– 2012 Medal of Valor
James and his wife Kimberly have a five children, 22-year-old daughter Alexx, 19-year-old sons Stephen and Jake, 16-year-old son Dominic, and 14-year-old daughter Kyra (sounds like Kierra).
Congratulations to the new leaders within the department.
the attachments to this post:
Stenger, Cantando & Fortner
