By Daily Press staff
After having stymied a gang of burglars last September who had been terrorizing Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, Officer Skystone-Eagle Lambert of the Santa Monica Police Department was tapped by the Elks as their “Officer of the Year” earlier this month.
Lambert, who has been with the SMPD since relocating from Denver, Co., more than 17 years ago, currently works with the Day Watch patrol after stints with both the Homeless Liaison Patrol and the Mounted Patrol Unit.
In addition to Lambert, the Santa Monica Elks Lodge presented Community Service Awards to officers from four other agencies at its annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner. The Elks established the annual event in an attempt to bring special community recognition to those members who exemplify the famed police motto “To Protect and To Serve.”
The five award winners were nominated by their respective departments, before a panel of Elks selected Lambert as “Top Cop.” Chief James Butts said Lambert exemplified all of the characteristics of a great police officer.
During the course of Lambert’s 20-year career he has rescued five people from a burning building, and assisted in the arrest of a bank robber, not to mention last year’s bust of three serial robber suspects, after which a significant amount of stolen property was subsequently recovered.
The remaining four “Top Cop” finalists were LAPD Officer Brian Grajek, FBI Assistant Special Agent Ralph Boelter, Deputy David Huelson of the Los Angeles Sheriff Department-Malibu Lost Hills Station and CHP Trooper Rodney Richards.
After announcing Lambert was the winner, Exalted Ruler Raedean Kiesz presented him with a perpetual plaque. Lambert was also awarded a letter of commendation from Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 29, 2004. Read the original PDF.