The San Diego chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) honored eight sheriff’s deputies, San Diego County Probation Chief Mack Jenkins, and Deputy District Attorney Jodi Breton for their commitment to keeping drunk drivers off the roads.
The awards were presented Wednesday at the annual Law Enforcement Recognition Event.
The deputies, who received the Outstanding DUI Officer award, were collectively responsible for nearly 700 drunk-driving arrests last year. They are:
- Dave Toner, Encinitas, for 195 arrests. Last year, he received the MADD California Hero Award in Sacramento
- Aaron Montan, Encinitas, for 123 arrests
- Felix Santiesteban, Lemon Grove, for 85 arrests
- Kenneth Werner, Vista, for 72 arrests
- Aaron Meleen, Poway, for 70 arrests
- Laura Shands, Santee, for 66 arrests
- Agustin Rosas, San Marcos, for 51 arrests
Probation Chief Jenkins received MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving award for his extraordinary efforts to establish the Felony DUI Enforcement Team. Probation officers on this team work intensively with high-risk DUI offenders to keep them from reoffending.
Jenkins also serves as a member of the MADD Advisory Council and participates in various anti-drunk driving events. In the awards program, Jenkins is described as an “action-driven leader who epitomizes humanity and service.”
“He contributes so much to our vision of eliminating drunk driving,” said Paula Myers, MADD’s victim services specialist and law enforcement liaison.
Prosecutor Breton, who works in the Vista court, was awarded the Prosecutor of the Year award. In 2011, she handled several cases in which there were multiple drunk-driving victims.
Myers said Breton not only handled the legal issues, but also dealt respectfully with all the victims’ family members and friends.
“She’s got an extra level of empathy and compassion for them,” Myers said.
This deep compassion may be partly due to the deputy district attorney’s personal loss from drunk driving. In 2001, Breton’s 18-year-old niece was killed, Myers said. Her niece was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by her intoxicated friend.
MADD also recognized community partners and businesses for their support towards furthering MADD’s mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of drunk driving and prevent underage drinking.
”We are thrilled and we’re proud to give (all the honorees) the kudos they deserve for the lifesaving work that they do,” said Myers.
