AREA LEGAL, LAW CIRCLES ARE HONORED AWARDS GIVE APPRECIATION.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN

Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- The area's law enforcement and legal communities gathered Friday at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds to honor outstanding achievement in recognition of Law Appreciation Day.

Anthony Delia and Christian Chamness were named top deputies at the Palmdale and Lancaster sheriff's stations, respectively. James Rupe was named the top Kern County sheriff's deputy serving the Antelope Valley.

The California Highway Patrol's Eddie Alonzo, the Department of Correction's Daniel Romero and probation Officer Charles Spatafore were named the top officers in their departments.

The Antelope Valley Bar Association named S. Kelly Cromer prosecutor of the year, Vito Caruso public defender of the year, and Lisa Chung judge of the year.

Cheryl Yeowell received the Phillip M. Schwabacher award for the attorney whose work improves the community most.

Stephen McElroy was named the Antelope Valley Bar's past president of the year.

Lancaster High's Linda Byarushengo won the speech award given on the topic of how literacy keeps a nation's people free.

The event was co-sponsored by Friends of the Antelope Valley Fair, the Antelope Valley Bar Association, and the office of attorney R. Rex Parris.

Parris said the event is significant because it honors those in law enforcement who risk their lives for public safety, and brings together elements of the legal and law enforcement communities whose immediate interests often conflict amid an adversarial system.

"It's important for all of us to come together and realize that we're ultimately working for the same thing," Parris said. "Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we're doing, and this reminds us that we're all working for a fair and honest justice system."

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