By Kim Minugh
kminugh@sacbee.com
Sacramento police honored two residents today for what department leaders called their "brave actions" and "exemplary commitment to their community and to public safety."
Chief Rick Braziel presented a certificate to Steven Ueltzen and Ralph Martinez during a brief ceremony at department headquarters this afternoon.
Both men were recognized for actions they took last September.
According to police, Ueltzen was inside his home on the evening of Sept. 10 when he heard a woman screaming. He went outside to find a woman who had just been robbed of her purse.
The woman described her attackers, and Ueltzen found them, police said. He chased the suspects, who eventually escaped into an apartment complex.
Ueltzen then passed the information on to responding officers, who eventually located and arrested the suspects.
Five days later, Martinez was outside of his workplace, taking a break, when he saw a police officer attempting to arrest a suspect.
With handcuffs on one hand, the suspect became combative and, while attempting to flee, struck the officer in the face, police said.
The officer was knocked to the ground. He began wrestling the suspect, but the suspect was able to get on top of the officer, according to police.
Martinez ran to the officer to help, and got the suspect in a head lock. The three men ended up in a struggle, but Martinez continued fighting until other officers arrived, police said.
Braziel said in a prepared statement that his department is "proud and honored to have citizens like (Ueltzen and Martinez) in our community."
Call The Bee's Kim Minugh, (916) 321-1038.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.