25 took part in the Good Guys! hostage incident

Excerpted from The Grapevine Independent
By Joanne Boyd
May 29, 1991

Twenty –nine officers of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department were honored last week for "going beyond that which is expected of them as law enforcement guardians," said Sheriff Glen Craig.

About 1,000 persons were present at the Scottish Rite Temple May 21 to recognize the offers to put their lives on the line daily.

Keynote speak Dan Lungren, attorney general for the state of California said it was an opportunity to thank the officers, "not in the midst of tragedy but in the midst of celebration."

The officers, he said, are the first line of defense for the community and the first line of sympathy for the victims. "We need look no further than these tables for our heroes," Lungren said. "Something draws these officers to make a contribution to all of us….they are much more than a gun and a badge."

Twenty-five officers received award from Sheriff Craig for participation in the Good Guys hostage incident April 4. Two of the officers, Robert Currie and James Cooper, have strong ties to Rancho Cordova.

The department's highest honor, the Gold Medal of Valor, was presented to special enforcement detail member Donald Devlin, Michael Hammell, William Kelly, Gregory Peterson, Charles Price, Gordon Smith and Roget Stanfill. The officers entered the stockroom at the rear of the Good Guys store without regard to their personal safety, putting the lives of the hostages before their own.

Silver stars went to Jerry Boyes and Jerry Manducca, the sniper team who broke the front window, signaling the SWAT team to enter the building.

The Bronze Star for Bravery was presented to Rodney Andersen, Lawrence Booher, Bruce Brabec, James Cooper, Charles Dull, Todd Kell, Richard Kemp, Mark Kessell, Robert Lyons, and John McGinness.

Detective Cooper, a member of the rescue and arrest team comprised of sheriff's deputies, insured all tactical position were covered and contained at the scene (of the hostage crisis) and evaluation of intelligence gathering. Cooper and the other team members were assigned to take position at the front door which was surrounded by glass and provided visual evaluation of the scene. The purpose of the unit was to insure the safe rescue of the hostages and assist with taking the suspects in to custody. At approximately 9:15 pm, with all the officers in position, Cooper volunteered to deliver the bulletproof vest to the front door of the store in exchange for the release of the hostages.

Cooper attended Cordova Gardens Elementary School, Mills Jr. High School and graduated from Cordova High School.

The Distinguished Service Medal was presented to Gerald Gomez, Ronald Cole, Robert Currie, Gerald Gomez, Harry Machen, and Michael Smith.

Deputy Currie, a member of the Critical Incidents Negotiation Team, responded to the scene of the hostage crisis and was assigned the duty as principal negotiator by the CINT leader. Currie negotiated with the four suspects for over five hours in an attempt to achieve the surrender of the four suspects and the releases of 41 hostages. Under very adverse circumstances because of the volatile and unpredictable behavior of the suspects, Currie acted with patience and professionalism. He was able to remain calm and delay the suspects' demands, which provided valuable time and information to the tactical units. Currie was able to aid the hostage when they were fearful, mistreated and injured by his calming and professional demeanor.

Currie is a resident of Rancho Cordova.

Other officers honored included Ronald Goesch, Michael Harrold and Fred Links. The Life Saving Medal went to Michael Jones.