Pair of veterans promoted

By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

Benicia Police Department has gained two officers and promoted two others, and the city’s newest public safety dispatcher started this week as well.

In addition, police Chief Andrew Bidou awarded four “Chief’s Coins,” surprising the recipients during Monday’s swearing-in ceremony at City Hall.

Peggie Hartig pinned a new badge on her husband, Frank Hartig, who was promoted to lieutenant March 15 after spending his entire career with the Benicia department, which he joined as a cadet in 1982.

Hartig has worked his way through the ranks, having been a community services officer and a dispatcher before becoming an officer. He has trained other officers, has been a K-9 officer, a narcotics detective, a member of the SWAT team and a motor officer.

Hartig also has been a Solano County Rotary Club Police Officer of the Year.

James “Jimmy” Laughter began his career with Suisun Police Department, but was hired by Benicia police in 2005. He was given the rank of sergeant March 15.

“I’m honored to be promoted,” Laughter said as his new badge was pinned to his chest by his father, Thomas. “This is a great police department, and I’m proud to be part of this organization.”

MarJonne Roberson and Jenna Cameron are the department’s newest officers, and like Hartig and Laughter were sworn in Monday.

Roberson said his entire family was present. His stepfather, Harvey Hughes, put the new badge onto his uniform, and several representatives of the Fairfax Police Department, his former employer, also attended.

Roberson said his first contact with the Benicia force came in 2002, when he went on a ride-along with Lt. Mike Greene, who later told Roberson about openings in the local department.

Cameron received her badge from her husband, Louis, with help from their son, Jacob, 6. She has had a variety of assignments with her former police department in Dixon, including being a motorcycle officer. She said she applied to Benicia Police Department for the opportunities available in the local agency.

Ondriea Perino started her career as a public safety dispatcher Monday, and was introduced by Bidou during the swearing-in ceremony.

Perino previously worked in the private sector; this is her first time working with a law enforcement agency.

Aaron Lee, a Benicia High School senior whose father had been a police officer in Canton, China; and Jackson McNutt, a Benicia High School junior who said he has wanted to learn more about police work, were introduced as the department’s newest Police Explorers.

Bidou also made a surprise announcement when he gave four Chief’s Coin Awards.

K-9 Officer Damiean Sylvester was recognized with a coin for pursuing a case that began as a harassing phone call complaint that led to the seizing of about 60 firearms.

Will Patterson received a coin for his work with students as a School Resource Officer.

Jeff Tschudi, the department’s management analyst, got a coin for securing a Homeland Security grant to upgrade the department’s equipment.

Ron “Doc” Uhlman, who retired from the U.S. Navy and now is a community service officer, was given a coin for his work in obtaining grants that accelerated improvements to the department’s communications.

“Being promoted is about tomorrow, not about yesterday. It’s about where we want to go as an agency,” Bidou told the capacity audience that crowded into City Hall for the ceremony. “I’m excited to have you as part of that.”