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San Diego

DDAA Awards

DDAA Awards

Each year, the Deputy District Attorneys Association recognizes outstanding prosecutors, investigators, police officers, and support staff for their efforts on behalf of the People.

Nominations for the awards are received from members of the DDAA, and the DDAA Board selects the recipients.

Outstanding
Excellence
Hard Work

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SAN DIEGO COUNTY PROSECUTOR OF THE YEAR

Outstanding achievement by a prosecutor who has demonstrated excellence and fairness in the conduct of a specific case or cases or public policy accomplishment  with the most significant impact to the County of San Diego during the last year.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY PROSECUTOR OF THE YEAR

2023 - Oscar Hagstrom

Past Award Winners

2022 – Valerie Summers
2021 – Leon Schorr 
2020 – David Grapilon
2019 – Sophia Roach
2018 – David Bost
2017 – Nicole Rooney
2016 – James Simmons/Chris Lawson
2015 – David Grapilon
2014 – Amy Maund
2013 – Michael P. Runyon
2012 - Mark Amador/James Fontaine
2011 – Robert P. Hickey
2010 – Patrick Espinoza
2009 – Thomas Manning
2008 – Kristen Spieler
2007 – Laura Martin Gunn
2006 – David Rubin
2005 – Tracy Prior
2004 – Rick Clabby
2003 – Jeff Dusek/Woody Clarke
2002 – Bonnie Howard-Regan
2001 – Timothy Walsh
2000 – Michael Groch
1999 – Charles Nickel
1998 – Jon Oliphant
1997 – Daniel Goldstein
1996 – Thomas McArdle
1995 – Keith Burt
1994 – Daniel Lamborn
1993 – Jeff Dusek
1992 – Mark Pettine
1992 – Keith Burt
1991 – Jeff Brodrick
1990 – Daniel Williams
1989 – Thomas McArdle
1989 – Paul Pfingst
1988 – Michael Carpenter
1986 – Charles Patrick
1977 – Charles Nickel
1976 – Joseph Van Orshoven

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DISTRICT ATTORNEY INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR

Outstanding District Attorney Investigator who has demonstrated excellence in criminal investigation and a commitment to law enforcement in a specific case or cases during the last year or over the course of an entire career.

BRETT BURKETT DAI OF THE YEAR

2023 - Liederson "Z" Zefernio

Past Award Winners

2022 – Tony Johnson
2021 – Felix Salazar
2019 – Bobby Dean
2017 – David Soliven
2016 – David Collins
2015 – Randy Alldredge
2014 – Vincent Giaime
2013 – Robert “Bobby” Dean
2012 – Marco Mercado
2011 – Perry McIvor
2010 – John Diaz
2009 – Mike Porretta
2008 – Darrell Brown
2007 – Robert L. Marquez
2006 – Ken Freshwater, Richard “Buck” Henry
2005 – Patrick Russell
2004 – Phil Sowers & Larry Davis
2003 – Al Lutzi
2002 – Richard “Buck” Henry, Frank Eaton
2001 – Roger Bohren
1997 – Dan Ahrens, Michael Howard
1996 – Terry Jensen

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CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR

Achievement by a lawyer in the Child Support Program who has most demonstrated distinction to the Department during the last year.

CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR

2021 - Terry Edlund

Past Award Winners

2013 – Mark Merriles and Erik Welton
2012 – Todd Faucher
2011 – Chris Uvieghara
2010 – Janette Mittman
2009 – Shannon Welton
2008 – Robert Harris
2007 – Natasha Esses
2006 – Terry Edlund
2005 – Dionne Mochon

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GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL / LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Outstanding public servant or law enforcement officer whose efforts have had significant local or statewide impact on public safety or the criminal justice system during the last year or over the course of an entire career.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL / LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR

2023 - Matthew Gibson, SDSD 

Past Award Winners

2022 – Edward Byrne, Homeland Security Investigations
2019 – Lt. Rick Lopez and Det. Marko Garcia, San Diego County Sheriff's Department
2017 – Special Agent Jeffrey Kierman, Naval Criminal Investigative Service
2016 – Det. Mark La Vake, Oceanside Police Department
2015 – Det. Ron Newquist, San Diego Police Department
2014 – Det. Steven Hobbs, San Diego Police Department
2012 – Det. Angela Tsuida, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
2011 – Sgt. Anthony K. Johnson, San Diego Police Department
2010 – Ed Phillips, San Diego County Department of Public Works
2009 – Det. Sandi Oplinger, San Diego Police Department
2008 – Det. John Tefft, San Diego Police Department
2007 – Det. Patrick Gardner, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
2006 – Det. Randy Alldredge, San Diego Police Department
2005 – San Diego County Sheriff William Kolender
1997 – Supervisor Ron Roberts, District 4

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CHARLES NICKEL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING, PUBLIC POLICY, OR LEGAL EDUCATION

Outstanding prosecutor honored for his or her professional excellence and contributions which have had significant local or statewide impact in the area of public policy, legislation, training or education in the criminal justice arena. 

CHARLES NICKEL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING, PUBLIC POLICY, OR LEGAL EDUCATION

2022 - Anna Winn

Past Award Winners

2021 – Lisa Weinreb
2017 – Tracy Prior
2016 – Andrija Lopez
2015 – Brenda Daly
2014 – Valerie Summers
2010 – David Lattuca
2009 – Laura Tanney
2008 – Catherine Stephenson
2007 – Summer Stephan
2006 – Robert Phillips
2005 – Robert Locke
2003 – David Williams
2002 – John Massucco
2001 – Anthony Samson
2002 – John Massucco
1999 – Paul Greenwood
1997 – Charles Nickel

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EDWIN L. MILLER, JR. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Outstanding prosecutor who exemplified excellence, professionalism, ethics, respect, knowledge, team work, communication, and accomplishment in his or her career.

EDWIN L. MILLER, JR. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

2022 - Dana Greisen

Past Award Winners

2021 – David Greenberg
2019 – Valerie Summers
2018 – Paul Greenwood
2017 – Bonnie Dumanis
2016 – Dominic I. Dugo
2015 – Greg Walden
2014 – David A. Williams
2013 – Gregg McClain
2012 – Garland P. Peed IV
2010 – Jeff B Dusek
2009 – George Bennett
2008 – Carlos Armour
2007 – Mark V. Pettine
2005 – Josephine A. Kiernan
2004 – Louis Boyle
2003 – Brian Michaels
2002 – Thomas McArdle
2001 – Edwin L. Miller, Jr.
(Lifetime Achievement Award re-named this
year in honor of Mr. Miller)

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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – DDA

Achievement by prosecutors who have distinguished themselves through hard work and dedication in seeking justice in criminal prosecutions in the conduct of a specific case or cases or public policy accomplishment during the last year or over the course of an entire career.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – DDA

2023 – Trisha Amador, Matthew Carberry, Pippa Cunningham, Pete Estes, Miriam Hemming

Past Award Winners

2022 – Robert Eacret, David Uyar, Patricia Lavermicocca, Jessica Paugh, Christine Bannon, and Michael Reilly
2021 – Scott Pirrello & Karl Husoe
2019 – Laurie Hauf & John Philpott
2017 – David F. Williams III, Melissa Vasel
2016 – Gina Darvas, Susan Gust, Shawn Tafreshi, Keith Watanabe, Michael Zachry
2015 – Marissa Di Tillio, Michelle Ialeggio
2014 – Jodi Breton, Nicole Rooney
2013 – Anthony Campagna, Chris Lindberg, Joseph McLaughlin, Wendy Patrick, Dino Paraskevopoulos
2012 – Victor Ou, Claudine Ruiz, S. David Bost
2011 – Christine Israel, Brock Arstill, Kathryn Gayle
2010 – Per Hellstrom, Jill Schall, Frank Jackson
2009 – Sophia Roach, Lucy Weismantel, Kim Lagotta
2008 – Nicole Cooper, Patrick Espinoza, Michael Runyon
2007 – Betsy McClutchey, Blaine Bowman, Robert Amador,
David Grapilon
2006 – Steve Carver, Robert Hickey, Kurt Mechals, Garland Peed
2005 – Corrine Miesfield
2004 – Valerie Summers, Pat Espinoza, Michael Runyon
2003 – Chandra Carle
2002 – Robert Stein
2001 – Valerie Summers, Tia Lisa Quick
1999 – Kimberlee Lagotta, Garland Peed, Josephine Kiernan
1998 – Summer Stephan
1997 – Peter Deddeh, Allen Williams
1996 – Kerry Wells, David Cox
1992 – Luis Aragon, Al Barrett, James Koerber

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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – DDA 7 YEARS OR LESS

Achievement by prosecutors who have distinguished themselves through hard work and dedication in seeking justice in criminal prosecutions in the conduct of a specific case or cases or public policy accomplishment during the first seven years of their career in this office.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – DDA 7 YEARS OR LESS

2023 – Matthew Hardy, Carrie Johnson, Hailey Williams

Past Award Winners

2022 – Joshua Brisbane, Drew Garrison, Mary Naoom
2021 – Zack Wallace & Miriam Hemming
2019 – Oscar Hagstrom & Abigail Dillon
2017 – Julie Lynn, Jessica Paugh, Benjamin Barlow
2016 – Steve Schott, Garret Wong
2015 – Kristie Nikoletich, Scott Pirrello
2014 – Chris Moon, Ryan Saunders, Brendan McHugh
2013 – Laurie Hauf, Robert Eacret
2012 – Dan Owens
2011 – Roy Lai
2010 – Matthew Williams, Melissa Vasel

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AWARD FOR JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE

Exemplary jurist with judicial temperament who has provided outstanding public service to the County of San Diego during the last year or over the course of an entire career.

AWARD FOR JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE

2021 – Judge Michael Groch

Past Award Winners

2019 - Judge Desiree Bruce-Lyle
2017 – Judge Kerry Wells
2016 – Judge David Szumowski
2015 – Judge Charles Rogers
2013 – Judge John Einhorn
2012 – Judge Frank Brown
2011 – Judge David J. Danielsen
2008 – Judge William Kennedy
1996 – Judge Napoleon Jones

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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – PARALEGAL / SUPPORT STAFF

Achievement by paralegal or support staff who has distinguished themselves through hard work and dedication by assistance in the conduct of a specific case or public policy accomplishment or service to the DDAA during the last year or over the course of an entire career.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – PARALEGAL / SUPPORT STAFF

2023 – Nathalia Cisneros

Past Award Winners

2019 – Yesenia Bernal, Support Staff
2017 – Claudia Ortiz, Support Staff – Narcotics Division
2016 – Lilma Doromal, Support Staff – Gangs Division
2015 – Marshelle Newby, Support Staff – Gangs Division
2014 – Meredith Dent, Paralegal – Cold Case Homicide Division
2013 – Rayna Simon, Paralegal – Superior Court Division
2012 – James Kelly, Assistant Director of Training
2011 – William J. Reich, Paralegal – Cold Case Homicide Division

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GEORGE “WOODY” CLARKE AWARD FOR PROSECUTORIAL EXCELLENCE

Outstanding prosecutor whose contributions in a particular subject matter area of the law promoted justice, fairness, and equality in the prosecution of cases with an important and sustaining impact on the legal community as a whole during the last year or over the course of an entire career.

GEORGE “WOODY” CLARKE AWARD FOR PROSECUTORIAL EXCELLENCE

2021 – Damon Mosler

Past Award Winners

2021 – Damon Mosler
2019 – Christine Bannon
2018 – Richard Sachs
2017 – Oscar Garcia, Sylvia Tenorio
2016 – Laura Tanney, James Koerber
2015 – Linh Lam, Appellate Division
2013 – The late Honorable George “Woody” Clarke

SDDDAA

The San Diego Deputy District Attorney Association (SDDDAA) is the professional association for the deputy district attorneys (DAs) of San Diego County.

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