James Stenger to Be Honored as Antioch Officer of Year

By Walter Ruehlig

The award winners for the annual Knights of Columbus Police Office and California Highway Patrol Officer of the Year awards luncheon have been announced.

They are Antioch P.D. Officer James Stenger; Pittsburg P.D. Officer Richard Hosier; California Highway Patrol Officer Officer Mark Mitchell and CCC Fire Protection District Fire Fighter of the Year Brett M. Schooley.

The awards will be presented at Lone Tree Golf and Event Center this Saturday, September 17th from 11:30 to 1:30. The Boy Scouts will present the colors and Dayang Montilla will sing the Star Spangled Banner. Baritone Richard Asadoorian will sing several classical selections.

Sound engineering is being donated by by Malcolm Hunter and videoing provided by Joey Montilla of Snap Eye Productions. The event chairs are Gary Clausen and Walter Ruehlig.

Tickets are still available for the buffet luncheon for $35. Call Walter at (925) 756-7628 or email walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.

In attendance will be County Supervisor Mary Piepho, Maurice Delmer representing State Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, Antioch Mayor James Davis, County Board of Education Trustee Cynthia Ruehlig, Antioch Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donald Gill, and former Antioch Council Member Allen Payton.

The day’s events begin with a pageantry-rich Blue Mass to be held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church at 9:30 a.m. The ceremonial Mass, replete with bagpiper, special music and colorful ceremony is a long-standing Catholic tradition that honors first responders. All are welcome.

The Chief Homilist is Rev. Robert Rien, chaplain to the Antioch and Martinez Police Departments. He will be assisted by Rev. Helmut Richter of Good Shepard Church, chaplain to the Pittsburg Police Department. Musical Director Don Pearson will conduct the choir and play the Rodgers’s 958 Trillium Masterpiece Pipe/Digital Organ.


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