A number of standout employees of the Ceres Police Department were recognized at a special event held Thursday evening while new police officers – some fresh out of the academy – publicly took the oath and had their badges pinned on by loved ones.

The event, held at the Ceres Community Center, is typically called by the police chief each year.

Police Chaplain Joel Richards started on a somber note when noted that morning that Tulare County Sheriff’s Detective Randy Hoppert was shot and killed in Porterville. After calling for a moment of silence Richards prayed for the family and the safety of all officers. The officers present at the ceremony had a black band over their police badges.

Matt Vierra was named the 2025 Ceres Police “Sergeant of the Year,” Krandall J. Vandagriff was chosen as “Officer of the Year,” Kassandra Pond was selected as “Dispatcher of the Year” and Steve Whitney was honored as “Volunteer of the Year.”

In addition Peggy Cole was given special recognition for her 11 years of service as a volunteer working in the department’s Property & Evidence Room.

Lt. Jeff Godfrey paused to recognize Officer Kevin Gallenkamp, who received the California Highway Patrol’s “10851 Award” for “going above and beyond” recovering stolen vehicles and arresting car thieves. Specifically Gallenkamp arrested seven suspects and recovered seven occupied stolen vehicles in a 12-month period.

Godfrey also singled out Officers Kyle Hatcher and Christian Diaz who received an award from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). Officers receive awards based on their performance in arresting at least 25 intoxicated drivers from the road. Hatcher made 26 DUI arrests in the last calendar year and Diaz 25 arrests. Both will be honored in July at a MADD sponsored award event.

“I don’t want to brag,” added Chief Johnson, “but our DUI arrests are up 60 percent from 2024 to 2025. Our officers are really targeting drunk drivers. Drunk driving kills more innocent people than any other crime.”

‘Sergeant of the Year’

Matt Vierra was honored as “Sergeant of the Year.” Police Chief Trenton Johnson said Vierra was nominated by multiple employees.

He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in June 2024 and was assigned as patrol watch commander where he has excelled in his duties as a patrol supervisor, leader, mentor, and role model to the officers he supervises. His over 19 years of law enforcement experience has included patrol, investigations, training and SWAT.

“His positive impact on those around him is clearly reflected in the words spoken about him,” said Johnson of Vierra as he shared these four comments offered by his coworkers:

“Matt has excelled as a patrol watch commander and is one of those leaders I would follow into any situation.”

“Matt is a person I look up to not only as a friend, but as a role model within this profession. He is someone I respect and try to emulate.”

“Sergeant Vierra is a leader, easy to talk to, and approachable. If I ever have a problem and need someone to provide sound advise, he would be the first person I reach out to.”

“The department should be very proud to have someone so dedicated to his work, and those around him.”

In addition to his patrol responsibilities, Vierra is the supervisor of the Field Training Program which shapes the culture of professionalism expected of Ceres Police officers.

“Matt embraces this responsibility with enthusiam and a clear vision for improving the quality of training provided to new officers,” said Chief Johnson. “He took the initiative to re-write the Field Training Manual, updated the programs training criteria, and spearheaded the creation of a three-day in-house orientation to ensure recruits and lateral officers were receiving the most relevent and up-to-date training in compliance with POST guidelines.”

The chief noted that Vierra’s attention to detail and high standards have “directly contributed to the quality of officers produced through our department’s Field Training Program.”

Vierra, it was noted by the chief, is “consistently available regardless of the time of day, remains open to new ideas, and is receptive to feedback that could further strengthen the program.”

Officer of the Year

K.J. Vandagriff was chosen as the “Officer of the Year” for stepping up at a critical time when the department was dealing with staffing shortages, vacant shift assignments, injuries, illnesses, and many other variables that proved challenging.

“And in the middle of the challenge,” Johnson said, “Officer Vandagriff became the person we could count on to fill our gaps. And he didn’t just fill one gap. He started the year working his regular assignment as a motor officer in the Traffic Unit. He was then pulled out of traffic and moved over to cover for a School Resource Officer. He then was put back on patrol to fill vacant shifts. And then he was able to go back to Traffic again. These weren’t planned transitions – they were last-minute changes we needed to make to keep the department running. And every time, he said ‘okay’ and went to work. No complaints, no drop in his work ethic, no change in his attitude.”

In his first-ever role as a School Resource Officer, Vandagriff adapted quickly and built relationships with students and staff, handled the role professionally and earned high remarks from school officials.

Johnson said that Vandagriff is also a Field Training Officer, helping develop newer officers and is the “go to” officer when his fellow officer have questions about traffic or crash investigations.

“He took it upon himself to develop multiple trainings to help others improve their reports and their understanding of traffic laws. And he’s a senior member of our SWAT team where he’s taken on a leadership role, helping train and mentors the younger members. In other words, he’s not just doing his job. He’s helping everyone else do theirs better. And what often gets overlooked, but matters just as much, is how he treats people.”

Whether it’s someone he’s contacting during a traffic stop or a family dealing with a serious collision, everyone is treated with respect, patience and a level of professionalism that reflects well on this entire department.

Dispatcher of the Year

Cited as a dispatcher who can always be counted on, especially when things get busy or stressful, Kassandra Pond was honored as “Dispatcher of the Year.”

“She stays calm, focused, and professional no matter what comes her way, which says a lot about her experience and dedication,” Johnson said in praise of Pond. “Her background in customer service really shows in how she communicates — she’s patient, clear and genuinely cares about helping both the public and our officers.”

Not only does she come to work with a positive attitude, she brings with her a “great sense of humor and often provides some much-needed comic relief during long or difficult shifts. At the same time, she takes her job seriously, is always looking to improve, and is quick to help others however she can.”

When the dispatch center was short on employees on any given time, Pond has without hesitation worked long hours, covered back-to-back shifts, and given up time off to “make sure we stay fully staffed and others get needed breaks. She also volunteers to work holidays so others can spend time with their families, which really speaks to the kind of teammate she is.”

Volunteer of the Year

Retiree Steve Whitney was honored as “Volunteer of the Year” for the department, always ready to serve with a smile.

As a former police officer, Whitney has pride in his role as a volunteer.

“He does not shy away from expressing how much he loves being here and helping the city,” the chief said of Whitney. “He still holds his law enforcement career with high regard and has carried that same attitude into day to day interactions as a volunteer.”

Whitney was cited for being:

• Trustworthy and would do anything he could to help someone;
• Full of integrity and is always making choices that not only benefit his peers and the department.
• An extremely hard worker and exhibits excellence in all areas he works in.

Special recognition

Peggy Cole, who became a Ceres Police volunteer 11 years ago, was singled out for special recognition by the chief as she leaves coinciding with the retirement of fellow volunteer Renee Howerton.

The chief said he has had no worries with Cole and Howerton, who have worked together in the Property and Evidence Room, with the chain of evidence that must be maintained.

“They have been a wonderful team who work well together,” said the chief. “With Renee’s retirement coming at the end of this year, Peggy has chosen to leave the department at the same time as Renee. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank her and acknowledge her hard work for the past 11 years.”

Cole began working as a volunteer in the Records Department, but after a few years, moved to Property and Evidence, jokingly referred to within the department as the “dungeon” since it is in the basement and has no windows.

Chief Johnson joked that “the door can only be accessed by three people – even I can’t get into Property! I must knock on the door for them to let me in.”

During the COVID lock-down, when volunteers were forbidden from the building, Cole and Howerton worked diligently to author the department’s Evidence Policy Manual. Cole worked from home and Howerton would occasionally go over to see her so they could continue the work. They did a lot via email to complete the manual.

Professional Staff of the Year

Marcy Pederson, the chief’s executive assistant, was nominated and selected as “Professional Staff of the Year.”

Pederson has served four chiefs in her 11 years with the Ceres Police Department.

“That means she has had to learn four different difficult personalities,” said Johnson. “It didn’t take her long to figure me out. It is not uncommon for her to say, ‘Chief, you should probably sleep on that and let me know decide tomorrow.’”

The chief called her “the hub of all things in the Police Department.”

“She is an analyst at heart and is always looking at processes and procedures, fine-tuning them until they become efficient, well-oiled systems. She takes her job seriously and is always thinking about things that need to be done. It is not uncommon for our conversations to start with, “I woke up at 3 this morning and figured out a solution to our problem.’”

She was also praised for keeping track of all spending and making sure the department stays within budget.

“She is a master at finding money when unplanned costs come up. She has helped many administrators understand budgets and make good fiscal decisions.

“Marcy is always cheerful and ready to work. She prides herself on being a good communicator citywide and is involved in city luncheons and special events. She has a mischievous side too, but those stories will be told at her retirement.

“Marcy is a shining example of our department’s core values of pride, integrity, and excellence. Marcy’s input into the Ceres Police Department has played a huge role in pushing us in the right direction.”

New hires recognized

New officers were present to not only publicly take the oath of an officer but to have their badges pinned on ceremoniously by family members.

Recently hired officers are Andres “Andy” Oropeza, Chase Maloney, Roger Khuon, Romy McClain and Gary Singh.

New dispatchers are Jenesa Reed, Kaitlyn Weiss and Marlene Gonzalez.

Andres “Andy” Oropeza

Andres “Andy” Oropeza was hired on February 12 just two weeks after graduating from the Delta Police Academy in Stockton.

While Ceres didn’t sponsor Oropeza through the Academy, the department was able to hire him and have his background completed by the time he graduated, allowing him to wear the Ceres Police uniform at graduation.

Oropeza was born in Turlock, raised in Newman and graduated from Orestimba High School. His favorite pastimes are exercising, spending time with family and engaging in activities with his church.

His parents pinned on his badge while his brothers and sisters-in-law watched on.

Chase Maloney

Maloney is one of the two recruits sponsored by Ceres Police for the September 2025 Police Academy at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. He graduated on Feb. 6, 2026, and was hired six days later.

Born in San Jose, Maloney was raised all in the Valley from north Modesto to Turlock and Patterson. He graduated from Davis High School in Modesto.

He and wife Joie have a year-and-a-half old son, Hunter and are expecting a second child in June. His father-in-law is Ceres Police Lieutenant Jeff Godfrey.

His wife and sister Sydney pinned on his badge. Others in attendance were Sydney’s husband and four children, his brother and girlfriend and two sets of in-laws: Jeff and Patty Godfrey and Juli and Zack Gentry.

In his spare time Chase enjoys spending time with family, duck hunting and playing softball.

Roger Khuon

Roger Khuon was hired as a Ceres Police officer on August 19, 2025. He previously spent four years in the Marine Corp and four years with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

He is a first-generation American born to refugees and is the first in his family to go into the military and law enforcement.

He was born and raised in Modesto, graduated from Central Valley High School and is currently attending CSU Stanislaus.

Roger has been with his wife, Alyssa, for 13 years. They have two dogs and two cats.

When he’s not on duty, he loves being outdoors, camping, hiking, shooting and travelling, both domestically and internationally.

Wife Alyssa ceremoniously pinned on his police badge.

Romy McClain

Romy McClain is the other recruit sponsored by CPD for the September 2025 Police Academy operated by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. He graduated on Feb. 6, 2026, and was hired six days later.

Born in Modesto and raised in Ceres, McClain is a 2021 Ceres High School graduate. He spent time at CPD as an explorer during his sophomore, junior and senior years in high school. Four days after graduating from CHS he left for Texas for basic training in the Air Force. His AFSC is Munitions Systems. He was stationed at Shaw AFB in South Carolina until 2025. He is currently in the Reserves and serves at Travis AFB.

McClain is the second person in his family to go into law enforcement as his cousin is a deputy with Sacramento County’s Sheriff’s Office.

He and fiancée Giselle have two cats, Pumpkin and Bean. His favorite past-times are working out in the gym, finding new movies and TV shows to watch, hanging out with family and from time to time and playing video games.

Parents Ashik and Yesenia McClain pinned on his badge while Giselle also attended.

Gurwinder (Gary) Singh

Gary Singh was sponsored by the Ceres Police Department for the March 2025 Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Academy. He graduated on August 8, 2025 and was hired three days later.

Gary was born in Queens, NY and moved to Patterson when he was 14. He graduated from Patterson High School and attended Sacramento State where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.

He is not married, but tries to be a good example to his 3 nieces and nephew.

When he’s not working, Gary enjoys lifting weights, running and spending quality time with family and friends. He also enjoys reading action and thriller books. Additionally, he tries to run a couple of half marathons each year and completed a full marathon in 2024.

His parents attended the ceremony while his mother pinned on his badge.

Kassandra De La Cruz

Kassandra was hired on September 29, 2025 as the department’s Code Enforcement Secretary. Before coming to CPD, she worked for the Stanislaus Latino Chamber of Commerce as an administrative assistant and project coordinator.

She grew up in Watsonville and graduated from North Monterey County High School. She attended CSU Stanislaus where she earned a degree in Business Administration.

She and husband Juan have a nine-month-old girl Emma.

She enjoys playing soccer, traveling to new places, hiking and finding great spots to eat.

Jenesa Reed

Jenesa Reed joined CPD as a reserve dispatcher on Oct. 2, 2025. She currently works as a full-time dispatcher with Oakdale Police Department.

She was born in Modesto and raised in Turlock and Denair and graduated from Turlock High School.

Reed comes from a long line of family in law enforcement: her dad, Paul Yotsuya, is a retired deputy from Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office; her mom, Shelley, worked for AMR and Turlock PD Dispatch; her aunt, Shawnna Yotsuya is a retired Ceres dispatcher; her uncle, Greg Yotsuya (her dad’s brother) is a retired CPD Sergeant; and her sister Kyla also works for CPD as a dispatcher.

She married her former classmate over two years and is hoping for children in the near future.

Reed loves to read, make sourdough, candles, soaps, spend time with family and friends and watch a good TV show. Her favorite TV watching centers on episodes of “Gilmore Girls” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

Kaitlyn Weiss

Kaitlyn Weiss came to Ceres Police on Nov. 10, 2025 as a fully trained and experienced dispatcher. She dispatched for Palo Alto Police Department in 2021 and moved to SR911 in 2023.

Modesto born and raised, she graduated from James Enochs High School. She is the mother of two boys, Liam and Beau, who keep her busy baseball and soccer schedules. She loves reading, watching true crime documentaries and visiting Disneyland.

Marlene Gonzalez

Marlene Gonzalez joined CPD last November as her first job in law enforcement dispatching.

She was born and raised in Modesto, graduated from Downey High School and earned an AA degree in Social Science from Modesto Junior College.

Gonzalez has a 2 ½ year son, a dog and a cat and is currently engaged. When she’s not dispatching, she enjoys going to the gym and doing nails.