Anti-Defamation League to Honor Officers Involved in the San Bernardino Massacre

LOS ANGELES, CA - The various law enforcement agencies that responded to and are investigating the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino will be honored in Los Angeles next week by the Anti-Defamation League for their bravery and their work to investigate threats to the community.

The agencies will be collectively honored as one of three group recipients of the "Helene & Joseph Sherwood Family Prize for Combating Hate." Other groups being honored are the Los Angeles Police Department for its Community Safety Partnership Program, a collaboration with the Los Angeles Housing Authority; and human-trafficking investigators from the state Attorney General's Office, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Long Beach Police Department and City Prosecutors Office.

Carrie Braun, public affairs manager for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, will be honored individually for creating the Diversity Advisory Council that works to foster relationships between law enforcement and the black community, Turkish Muslims and LGBT residents.

"This year's honorees have taken creative and effective steps to make our communities safer," said Amanda Susskind, director of the ADL's Pacific Southwest Region. "Their contributions range from fighting terrorism to reducing hate against the most vulnerable in our society. What they have in common is that they make a tangible difference in protecting the community."

The agencies that will be honored for their work on the San Bernardino attack that killed 14 people include the San Bernardino Police Department, FBI, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Attorney's Office and police departments from Colton, Fontana, Redlands and Rialto.

Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his emigree wife, 27-year-old Tashfeen Malik, carried out the Dec. 2 massacre at the Inland Regional Center immediately following a Christmas party there, according to federal authorities. Fourteen people were killed in the mass shooting and 22 others were wounded.

The husband and wife were killed in a shootout with law enforcement officers a few hours later.

The ADL honor will recognize "the bravery and quick response of numerous law enforcement personnel at the time of the attack, as well as those behind the scenes who continue to work tirelessly to investigate ongoing threats and safeguard our community."

The Sherwood Prizes will be awarded Tuesday at the Skirball Cultural Center. The prize was created in 1996 by Joe and Helene Sherwood, founders of Daniel's Jewelers, to recognize members of the law enforcement community "that go above and beyond their job descriptions in combating extremism, bigotry and hatred."

Tuesday's ceremony will also feature a tribute to Joseph Sherwood, who will turn 99 on March 12.

--City News Service, photos by Renee Schiavon