Log in

Neighbors

Arizona first responders recognized as heroes by local nonprofit

100 Club of Arizona hosted gala in Paradise Valley

Posted 5/3/23

The 100 Club of Arizona, which supports firefighters, police, public safety officers and their families, recognized first responder heroes from around Arizona at the 2023 annual Boots & Badges …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
Neighbors

Arizona first responders recognized as heroes by local nonprofit

100 Club of Arizona hosted gala in Paradise Valley

Posted

The 100 Club of Arizona, which supports firefighters, police, public safety officers and their families, recognized first responder heroes from around Arizona at the 2023 annual Boots & Badges Gala April 29.

For their sacrifice and bravery, the 100 Club of Arizona revealed the Firefighter and Police Officers of the Year winners who were nominated and voted on by their peers, according to a press release.

Gregorio “Orio” Moore received Firefighter of the Year. Moore is an engineer/firefighter/EMT with Rural Metro Fire Department in Pima County.

He helps community members each day, but on June 15, 2022 he saved the life of the most important person in his life, the release stated. Moore’s 37-year-old wife had a stroke but didn’t know it. She called him at work to tell him she wasn’t feeling well and when he heard her symptoms, he rushed home.

The decision to come home to check on his wife enabled him to notice the signs of stroke and get her admitted to the hospital. She had 12 days in ICU, nine stents placed to divert blood flow following her carotid artery dissection/occlusion and a month-long rehab process, which ultimately led to her recovery.

Moore’s quick thinking led him to save another member of our Arizona community, that just so happened to be his wife.

Officers Jonas Lucas, Briston Moore, Tyler Mohney and Emanuel Guardado received Police Officers of the Year.

These officers are exemplary members of the Chandler Police Department, the release stated. On Nov. 9, 2022 officers received a call that shots were fired in Chandler. When the four officers arrived, there were two teens that had gunshot wounds to the head and the two suspects had fled the scene.

They quickly cleared the scene, evacuated the victims to the parking lot and began administering aid. The location of the shooter was unknown and there was concern they may be at risk for being engaged by the suspect. However, the officer’s decision to prioritize the care of these two gunshot victims over their own safety, while in a hot zone, demonstrated their personal courage and selfless service to the community, according to the release.

Both young victims succumbed to their injuries, but not until the families could make a decision about their care and say their goodbyes.

Jason Schechterle emceed the event and also shared his story on stage, recognizing his fellow heroes. In 2001, a taxicab crashed into the rear of his patrol car. Upon impact, his car burst into flames, resulting in severe burns to over 40% of his body, including fourth degree burns to his face. Since then, he’s undergone more than 50 surgeries, surviving and continually inspiring others, the release stated.

Angela Harrolle is the CEO of the 100 Club of Arizona. After her husband, paramedic Bruce Harrolle, was lost on duty in 2008, she made it her mission to help public safety employees and their families, especially in times when tragedy strikes.

The 100 Club gala was held at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn, accompanied by the Scottsdale Police Mounted Unit.