On Monday afternoon, the offices of Lassen Family Services were filled with gratitude and celebration as Deputy Armando Medina of the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office was named the LFS Officer of the Year.
During the annual event, LFS Executive Director Angela Reed presented Medina with a commemorative plaque, recognizing his outstanding service to victims of violence within the community. In addition to his personal award, Medina’s name has been added to the LFS perpetual plaque.
The “Overwhelming Choice”
According to the staff at Lassen Family Services, selecting Medina for this honor was not a difficult decision. A letter presented to Medina during the ceremony noted that once the vote was put out to the team, he was the “overwhelming choice among advocates.”
The recognition stems from a unique blend of professional grit and genuine empathy. Before patrolling the streets as a Deputy, Medina built a strong foundation in the field. He previously worked in the county jail for two years before graduating from the College of the Siskiyous Academy Program in 2024 and becoming a Deputy Sheriff.
However, it is his specialized training that sets him apart in sensitive situations. Medina has completed 80 hours of domestic violence and sexual assault training, an educational undertaking that LFS staff noted “strengthened his knowledge but also showed his commitment to understanding the complexities that survivors face.”
Compassion at the Core
The accolades presented Monday went beyond just professional training. The LFS staff highlighted that Medina’s effectiveness is rooted in his character.
“Your compassion, your willingness to listen, and your genuine concern for the safety and well-being of others are qualities that cannot be taught—they come from who you are at your core,” Reed said in her presentation. “Your presence and the work you do each day make a meaningful difference for the people of Lassen County.”
Medina played a key role in the LFS Law Enforcement Wreath Laying Ceremony, where he had the solemn honor of placing a wreath for Modoc Deputy Jack Hopkins.
Monday’s award serves as a capstone to a year where Deputy Medina has, according to LFS, taken his formal training and real-world experience and “implemented it with care, integrity, and purpose.”
