6 LAPD OFFICERS TO RECEIVE MEDAL FOR BRAVERY UNDER FIRE.

Byline: Eric Wahlgren and Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writers

The call that would turn Los Angeles police motorcycle Officer Charlie Wright into a hero in 1995 could not have come at a worse possible time - his 26th wedding anniversary.

Done patrolling for the day in Van Nuys, Wright was about to leave for home to celebrate with his wife when he heard a radio call about an armed robbery just a block away.

So on June 22, 1995, Wright scrubbed his dinner plans and sped toward a dental office on Sepulveda Boulevard near Sherman Way, where he spotted two robbery suspects fleeing on foot.

In the next few moments, Wright would distinguish himself among his peers, leading Chief Willie L. Williams to choose the 26-year veteran as one of six recipients of the Medal of Valor for bravery under fire.

On Tuesday the Police Commission approved the medals for Wright and two other San Fernando Valley officers - Van Nuys traffic Officer Elizabeth Green and former Van Nuys traffic Officer Camerino Mesina.

Before the award ceremony in September, more medals are expected to be approved, especially for officers involved in the North Hollywood bank-robbery shootout.

``After 26 years on the job, it is a real honor to get that award,'' said the 51-year-old Wright, who works in the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division.

It is recognition for putting his life on the line.

That June evening, Wright intervened before one of the robbery suspects could shoot a customer at a gas station, and later he helped a wounded security guard.

In the final moments, Wright shot one of the gun-wielding suspects, causing the second suspect to surrender immediately. Officers captured a third suspect after the three-hour ordeal.

``Officer Wright displayed the highest level of courage that could be expected in a violent encounter with an armed suspect,'' a commendation report said.

Mesina and Green were recommended for the award for their actions in confronting a suspect during an October 1995 gunbattle at an East Valley apartment complex.

Unsure about the suspect's whereabouts, the officers were helping evacuate two women and two children from an apartment when the man suddenly came out of a bedroom and opened fire on them.

``We thought that he might take the little girl as a hostage,'' said the 30-year-old Mesina, who is now assigned to the LAPD's Rampart Division.

The two officers managed to return fire, fatally wounding the suspect.

Although wounded in the attack, Green was saved by her bulletproof vest.

The commendation report praised the officers for ``unquestionable courage as they sought the safe and effective rescue of four community members caught in harm's way.''

The other three officers picked to receive medals are police Officer Robert Hamilton of the Metropolitan Division, Sgt. Jeffery Greer of the Office of the Chief of Staff and Sgt. Greg Dossey of the Training Division.