By Jeremy Couso
Recently retired Lassen County Sheriff-Coroner Dean Growdon was honored Tuesday as Lassen Family Services’ Officer of the Year at a luncheon held at Susanville’s Monticola Club. Along with Growdon, LFS celebrated National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day by showing their gratitude to all members of local law enforcement, putting together a fantastic luncheon.
Sareena Estes, CASA Case Coordinator for LFS, gave a short presentation and introduced Sheriff Growdon, saying, “This year we have selected a man who has dedicated his life to keeping others safe no matter the risk to himself. He is a strong leader with an eye to the future while preserving the solid values of the past. His innovation and dedication are part of what has made our law enforcement community so strong.”
Estes added that Growdon will be sorely missed as he moves into retirement.
Growdon, as usual, humbly accepted the award, thanking LFS, his former staff and the local law enforcement community that he has been such a big part of.
Lunch was served to past and present LEO’s from agencies across the county including, among others, Lassen County Probation, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and the Susanville Police Department.
The Purpose of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
LEO’s of every rank and file have chosen a profession that puts their life on the line every day for their communities. They’ve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often unappreciated.
From local, state, and federal, their duties command dedication. The jobs are often thankless and take them away from their families for long hours. Rarely do they know what their days have in store for them.
Often law enforcement is the only paid emergency resource a community has. More often they work in coordination with other local, state, and federal organizations to make communities safer.
