Attorney General Harris to honor BART Police officers
BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey today announced two BART Police Officers will be honored by Attorney General Kamala Harris on Wednesday, November 13, 2013.
“It is with great honor that I announce two of BART’s finest will recieve the Attorney General’s Peace Officer Commendation certificates this year,” BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey said. “Officer Andrew Rodrigues will be recognized for bringing a safe conclusion to a kidnapping. Sergeant Gerald Dominguez will be honored for his distinguished 24-year career on the force as well as his decades of volunteer work. Both are dedicated peace officers who deserve to be commended.”
Officer Andrew Rodrigues “Attorney General Award”
Officer Rodrigues was selected for his role in bringing a carjacking, robbery and kidnapping crime to a safe resolution. On April 23, 2012, Rodrigues was instrumental in saving a kidnapping victim in Daly City and arresting Jeremy Jenkins for the crime.
Jenkins responded to a car ad and met the victim at the BART station where he used a replica gun to coerce the car owner to handcuff himself. Jenkins pulled a pillowcase over the man’s head, put him in the back seat of the car, drove him to a house and demanded the car’s pink slip. The victim called his mother to obtain the pink slip and she, suspecting he was in trouble, called 911. Officer Rodrigues met her at Daly City BART where Jenkins demanded they meet. When her son called to confirm her arrival, Rodrigues was able use the phone to ask the victim direct, close-ended questions to determine he was in danger and being robbed. Rodrigues called for assistance and, with the help of the Daly City Police Department, was able to locate the car, the suspect and the victim, who was safely released unharmed.
Sergeant Gerald Dominguez “Peace Officer Retirement Certificate”
Sergeant Gerald Dominquez was selected for his dedicated peace officer career that spanned over 24 years. He has worked as a Patrol, Special Problems Unit, Field Training, K-9 and Tactical Team Officer, Range Instructor and Range Master, Detective and Patrol Sergeant.
Community members, BART PD managers and peers have recognized Dominguez’ commitment to service, professionalism, leadership and job performance in keeping BART and its customers safe.
Along with his professional achievements, Sergeant Dominguez is also admired for his charitable efforts. He is a volunteer for the Castro Valley Rodeo Association and the Special Olympics and has represented BART PD at “Tip-a-Cop,” E-waste and Torch Runs events. He also represented BART in Canada at the Special Olympics Conference in 2011. Even after his retirement on August 6, 2012, he continues to volunteer for the Special Olympics.