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Elks Honor Redwood City Safety Officers
The Redwood City Elks Lodge
#1991 held its annual “Public Safety
Night” dinner and ceremony on
Wednesday, June 15. The following
San Mateo County safety officials
from Redwood City were honored
for their actions over the past year.
Redwood City Fire Capt. Terry Condon —
On Sept. 2, the Redwood City Fire Department
responded with other fire units to a report of
a plane down in the Redwood Shores Lagoon.
While returning to Fire Station 9 from a previous
detail, Condon heard on the radio that one
member from the E20 crew was going in the
water to assist any survivors. Condon responded
to the incident. Upon arrival, he entered the
lagoon to assist the member from E20. Condon’s
courage and determination led to the removal
of a female passenger. He continued to search
the submerged aircraft for any other survivors.
When it was determined that there were no other
survivors, Condon returned to shore.
For his selfless and courageous actions, the Redwood
City Fire Department would like to nominate
Condon for the Firefighter of the Year Award.
Redwood City Firefighter Julie Badertscher —
On Sept. 2, the Redwood City Fire Department
responded with other fire units to a report of a
plane down in the Redwood Shores Lagoon. Upon
arrival, Badertscher entered the water to assist any
survivors. Her selfless actions and determination
led to the removal of a female passenger from
the plane. Badertscher continued to stay in the
water to search the submerged aircraft for other
survivors. She returned to shore only when she
determined there were no other survivors.
For her selfless and courageous actions, the
Redwood City Fire Department would like to
nominate Badertscher for the Firefighter of the
Year Award.
Redwood City Police Officers Jesse Bets and
Steve Unga — On March 1, at approximately
19:27 hours, Officers Bets and Unga were in the
parking lot of 485 Woodside on a traffic stop. At
this time they heard two gunshots fired east of
their location. Looking toward the sound, they
observed a suspect with a handgun struggling
with another subject.
Taking immediate action, Unga ran around the
block and Bets jumped over a fence onto Ash
Street. Bets announced his presence, and the two
subjects began running away. The suspect with
the gun fled east on Ash Street. Both officers were
able to catch up to this subject, cornering him
as he was trying to hide behind a garbage can.
The suspect initially refused to obey commands
but was taken into custody without incident a
short time later. The gun was recovered near
the location of the arrest and was found to have
been reported stolen by its owner. Witnesses later
stated the suspect had been pointing the gun at
another person just prior to its being discharged.
The quick, decisive and brave action
demonstrated by Bets and Unga during this
incident may have saved the life of one or more
persons and is a testament to their commitment to
ensuring the safety of the community.
Left to right: Councilwoman Rosanne Foust, Officers
Jesse Bets and Steve Unga, Interim Police Chief Chris
Cesena, former Mayor Jim Hartnett and Councilwoman
Barbara Pierce.
The Spectrum 15