FOLSOM — City leaders and members of the Folsom community gathered Thursday afternoon at the Folsom Community Center for the fourth annual Public Safety Awards Luncheon, an event dedicated to honoring exceptional members of the Police and Fire Departments.
Sponsored and presented by the Rotary Club of Folsom in collaboration with the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy and the two agencies, the luncheon recognized seven individuals for their contributions to public safety over the past year.
This marked the fourth consecutive year the Rotarians have hosted the event, which has quickly become a cornerstone tradition in Folsom’s recognition of first responders.
The program opened with the presentation of the colors by the Folsom Police Department Honor Guard. Prior to lunch, the event began with an invocation led by Chaplain Ron Perry of the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, who offered words of reflection and gratitude for the men and women serving the community.
Rotary Club of Folsom President Scott Bailey then welcomed attendees, sharing his unique perspective on the importance of the event. A former reserve officer who retired in 2018 after 35 years of service with the Folsom Police Department, Bailey told the audience the awards luncheon is especially meaningful to him.
“Some of you know this, some of you don’t, but in 2018, I concluded thirty-five years as a reserve officer at Folsom PD. So this event is very near to my heart,” Bailey said.
He went on to emphasize that public safety is the foundation for everything that makes Folsom thrive. “I want to say that everything, absolutely everything in Folsom that is good starts with public safety. Businesses, retail, restaurants—why would you want to open a restaurant in Folsom if it was gang violence and if there were robberies going on and problems? Major corporations, when they’re looking to come to cities, they’re looking for places where they can have safety for their employees and their families. Parks—doesn’t matter how many parks we have, if they’re not safe to be at, why would you go? This town is considered one of the most family-friendly cities in the whole area, and that’s because of public safety.”
His remarks set the tone for the afternoon, reminding those in attendance that the strength of the community, from its businesses to its neighborhoods, is built upon the daily work of those who keep it safe.
Before beginning the individual police awards, Interim Police Chief Randy Ulibarri addressed the audience, acknowledging the strength and character of the honorees.
“This group exemplifies a high level of community,” Ulibarri said. “Recipients, your hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. You inspire your peers. You strengthen our organization, and thus, you’re recognized by your peers as consummate role models. To the family members who share your loved ones with us, thank you for supporting our honorees, our department, and our mission of service. Together we continue to build a department that not only serves, but also does so with integrity and compassion. Congratulations to all of our award recipients today. I personally thank you and I salute you for your commitment to your respective profession.”
The first recognitions of the afternoon celebrated members of the Folsom Police Department, where four honorees were recognized for their commitment to excellence in law enforcement and community service.
Dispatcher of the Year: Alyx Eichhorn began her career in 2018 with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Folsom Police Department in 2021. Ulibarri explained that dispatchers face one of the most challenging roles in public safety, where gathering critical information quickly, relaying it with precision, and maintaining composure under pressure are essential. “Alex exemplifies all these qualities,” Ulibarri said. “She is known for her clear, calm, and efficient communication on both the radio and the telephone. Beyond her technical expertise, she brings an outstanding attitude to the workplace—always positive, respectful, and genuine.” He added that Eichhorn’s peers praised her professionalism, positivity, and humor that helps lift the spirits of her team. “Alex, you are truly deserving of this honor and we’re proud to recognize you as our Dispatcher of the Year,” Ulibarri told the audience.
Professional Staff Member of the Year: Laura DeHaan joined the Folsom Police Department in early 2024 as an administrative technician, bringing more than a decade of experience with El Dorado County’s Department of Child Support Services, the Probation Department, and the Assessor’s Office. Since arriving in Folsom, she has earned a reputation as a quiet professional whose attention to detail, diligence, and positive attitude shine through in every task. “Laura has quickly established herself as dependable and hardworking, but also as a source of encouragement and positivity for her peers,” Ulibarri said. He shared words from her colleagues, who praised her as someone who elevates those around her. “Her dedication, teamwork, and professionalism exemplify the highest standards of our department. Laura, you are truly deserving of this recognition.”
Officer of the Year: Jon-Mikkal Personius began his law enforcement career with the Chico State Police Department in 2019 before joining the Folsom Police Department in 2022 as a patrol officer. In 2024, he was selected for the Problem Oriented Policing Team, known as POP, where he quickly distinguished himself with strong work ethic and perseverance. “His proactive approach to policing sets a high standard of excellence within our department,” Ulibarri said. In the past year alone, Personius made more than 60 arrests, authored 13 search warrants, and recovered over $10,000 in stolen merchandise. “These results demonstrate not only his skill as an investigator but also his commitment to disrupting criminal activity and making Folsom a safe place for all,” Ulibarri added. “Jon-Mikkal embodies professionalism, courage, integrity, and esprit de corps, and it is with great pride that we recognize him as our Officer of the Year.”
For the first time in the history of the awards, the honor of Supervisor of the Year resulted in a tie, with both Sergeant Brian Mendenhall and Sergeant Mike Grueneberg receiving the award.
Ulibarri first introduced Sgt. Mendenhall, who has served with the department since 2008 in patrol, special investigations, SWAT, and now leads the newly established Homeless Outreach Team. “In this role, he and his team have had a profound and positive impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness, while also supporting our business community and residents by addressing quality-of-life issues,” Ulibarri said.
Colleagues described Mendenhall as compassionate, dedicated, and fair, noting that he approaches complex challenges with professionalism and integrity. “His efforts have strengthened community trust in our department and advanced the mission of the Homeless Outreach Team,” Ulibarri said. “Even in his absence, his team is recognized as proactive, responsive, and effective—a true testament to his leadership. Brian, you are truly deserving of this recognition.”
Turning to the second honoree, Ulibarri praised Sgt. Grueneberg, who has been with the department since 2007 and has served in patrol, as a K9 handler, a field training officer, and now as a supervisor in the Neighborhood Services Division. There, he oversees the Problem Oriented Policing Team, community resource officers, animal control, the K9 unit, and the traffic team. “Sergeant Grueneberg consistently stands out as a trusted leader within our organization,” Ulibarri said.
His service extends beyond local policing—he is a two-time Bronze Star recipient from his service in the Marine Corps, and has been honored multiple times by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, including as Officer of the Year at both the post and district levels. This year, Ulibarri announced, Grueneberg earned national recognition, having just been named the recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Law Enforcement Award. “Mike’s selection for this national award shows what happens when someone truly lives by our department’s values of courage, integrity, safety, and justice every single day,” Ulibarri said. “His recognition brings well-deserved honor to our entire organization. Congratulations, Mike, on this incredible achievement and for being recognized as Supervisor of the Year.”
In the earlier fire department awards were, Chief Ken Cusano took the stage to express his gratitude to the Rotary Club of Folsom for hosting the Public Safety Awards luncheon. He emphasized how much the support means to the fire department, reminding the men and women of the agency that their work matters and makes a difference in the community. Cusano noted that this marked the fourth consecutive year the Rotary has recognized the department’s personnel, and he said that ongoing commitment underscores the bond between first responders and the community they serve.
The Folsom Fire Department had three members recognized during the luncheon, with awards that highlighted the range of skills and dedication found across the agency.
Firefighter/Paramedic of the Year: Austin Cia was honored for the countless hours he dedicated outside of regular duty to enhance the department’s resources and training tools. Cia applied his fabrication skills to help outfit and prepare the department’s newest fire truck, saving the department both time and resources while ensuring crews had a vehicle ready to serve the community from day one. He also constructed realistic training props for live fire burn exercises, providing valuable hands-on opportunities that sharpened the skills of fellow firefighters. Recently promoted to Fire Engineer, Cia’s recognition celebrated not only his craftsmanship but also his professional growth. “Austin has gone above and beyond in his service to our department and community,” Cusano said. “His hard work and craftsmanship not only saved the department significant time and resources but also demonstrated his commitment to excellence.”
Supervisor of the Year: Battalion Chief Ben Signor was praised for his innovative and accountable leadership as head of the department’s C-Shift. Cusano described Signor as a leader who has improved administrative processes, strengthened operational capabilities, and guided program managers through budget challenges with clarity and motivation. A subject matter expert in wildland operations, Signor ensures the department’s crews are qualified and prepared for the challenges of fire season. Beyond Folsom, he serves as the lead safety officer on the Sacramento Regional Incident Management Team. “Chief Signor leads by example—setting high expectations, holding his shift accountable, and stepping up without hesitation, often working well beyond his regular schedule to support the department,” Cusano said.
Professional Staff Member of the Year: Office Assistant Christina Thongthep was recognized for her adaptability and reliability within the department’s administrative team. Over the past year, she managed critical responsibilities including accounts payable, CalCard processing, and Wittman EMS reporting, while also stepping in across multiple divisions—from front lobby coverage to scheduling public education events and managing records and emails. Her positive attitude and willingness to embrace new challenges have stood out among her colleagues. Cusano said her dedication and upbeat spirit have made her “an integral part of our administrative team and a true example of professionalism.” Thongthep was unable to attend the luncheon due to illness, but her award was received with warm acknowledgment from the department and the community.
2025 Folsom Public Safety Award Recipients
Folsom Police Department
- Dispatcher of the Year: Alyx Eichhorn
- Professional Staff Member of the Year: Laura DeHaan
- Officer of the Year: Jon-Mikkal Personius
- Supervisors of the Year: Sgt. Brian Mendenhall and Sgt. Mike Grueneberg
Folsom Fire Department
- Firefighter/Paramedic of the Year: Austin Cia
- Supervisor of the Year: Battalion Chief Ben Signor
- Professional Staff Member of the Year: Christina Thongthep
The Rotary Club of Folsom not only sponsors the awards but also works closely with the departments and organizations such as the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy to make the event a success. Retired Police Captain and Rotarian Paul Bonaventure once again led the effort as chief organizer, adding a personal touch this year by barbecuing for the luncheon, a departure from the catered format of previous years.
Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez closed the program by presenting certificates of recognition to all award recipients on behalf of Assemblyman Josh Hoover and Congressman Kevin Kiley. Her presentation capped the afternoon, reinforcing that the contributions of Folsom’s first responders are valued not only within the community but across the state and beyond.
Bailey also offered remarks, praising both departments for their service and acknowledging the support of all local Rotary Clubs. He recognized the attendance of Folsom City Council members, city staff, community members, and the media, including Folsom Times, before making special recognition of Bonaventure for his continued commitment to organizing the annual event.
The afternoon’s program underscored the gratitude of an entire community for the men and women who serve on the front lines of public safety in Folsom.
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