NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Each year the California Robbery Investigators Association presents its Officer of the Year Award to a police officer or deputy sheriff working a uniform assignment who distinguishes themselves through an act of uncommon heroism or an outstanding investigation involving a robbery crime.

This year CRIA will honor three law enforcement officers from Mendocino County for their work in stopping a major crime spree involving homicide, robbery, kidnapping, which stretched from Eugene, Oregon to Fort Bragg, Calif.

This incident took place over several hours and several hundred miles and resulted in the death of the suspect and the ambush murder of a Mendocino County deputy sheriff.

These officers willingly put themselves in harms way and one gave his life to protect their community.

This year's recipients are Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy Ricky Del Fiorentino, who died during the incident; Lt. Gregory Stefani of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office; and Fort Bragg Police Lt. John Naulty.

The award will be presented during the annual training seminar award ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Harrah’s in Las Vegas.