Biola University Honors Its Officers, Staff and Others for Improving Campus Public Safety

MERIT AWARD WINNERS SEARGEANT JOSE ALVAREZ, OFFICER BEN MARQUEDANT, OFFICER ERIK ALAIR, AND OFFICER PEDRO VASQUEZ: “On the evening of Oct. 29, our department became aware of an assault with a deadly weapon that took place in the neighborhood south of campus. Campus safety officers deployed to the area and set up a perimeter within our property line. As our officers arrived in the area they discovered that the suspect had entered a dormitory. The officers set up containment around the building and began their search, eventually locating the suspect on the second floor and taking the suspect into custody. This kind of incident could easily have resulted in a hostage situation or presented further danger to our students. Sergeant José Alvarez, Officer Ben Marquedant, Officer Erik Alair, and Officer Pedro Vasquez acted courageously and with self-control.”