The Turlock Police Department handed out its 2025 achievement awards on Thursday before a near capacity crowd at the Turlock Senior Center.

Lead Emergency Services Dispatcher Sonia Rush was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Officer Amir Aziz was named Officer of the Year, and Code Enforcement Officer Gerardo Trujillo was named the Employee of the Year.

The Excellence Award was given to the Animal Services Department, which includes supervisor Katie Walthrop, officers Callie Borges, Suzanne Miller, Darrian Cade, and support staff Jaime Faria, Charlize Peters, Yessenia Romero, Gemma Diaz-Mercado, and Ishpreet Kaur.

Jacob Kerr was tabbed the Explorer of the Year, and Joe Rosas was honored as the department’s Volunteer of the Year.

In addition to Rosas, the department also recognized the achievements of volunteers Glorybelle Lillie, Cathy O’Connell, George and Carolyn Plisko, Scott McCaskill, and John Auletto.

Chief Jason Hedden explained the nominating procedure.

“Employees may be nominated or recommended for an award or commendation by any member of the Turlock Police Department, ensuring that acts of exemplary service, professionalism, and dedication are recognized at all levels of the organization,” said Hedden. “Commendable actions are documented using the department’s electronic voting or by memorandum, which provides a consistent and formal method for capturing the details of the employee’s performance or achievement.”

Last September, Rush was tasked with completing the Wanted Persons System portion of the monthly Department of Justice audit. She reviewed a warrant associated with a 1998 homicide case, and noticed the RAP (Record of Arrests and Prosecutions) sheet listed a different primary name than the one appearing on the warrant. Upon closer review, Rush determined that the RAP sheet had been appropriately used, as the alias listed on the RAP sheet matched the name on the warrant. She also noted an alias driver’s license number associated with the subject. Recognizing the significance, Rush ran the alias driver’s license number, which revealed that the alias driver’s license was linked to the individual listed on the homicide warrant. She learned that the record had been updated in 2022 — with a more current home address in a nearby area. 

Rush notified Supervisor Maribel Rodriguez, and this information was forwarded to Detective Jason Tosta, which ultimately led to the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with a homicide more than two decades earlier.

“This incident highlights Sonia’s extraordinary attention to detail, analytical thinking, and commitment to excellence,” said Hedden. “Her diligence and investigative curiosity directly contributed to resolving a long-standing homicide investigation, an exceptional accomplishment that brings great credit to herself, the Communications Center, and the Turlock Police Department. Her efforts and findings helped to bring closure to family members and friends of the victim in this case.”
Aziz, 25, is one of the youngest members of TPD. He said he wanted to be a police officer since the time he was 3 or 4 years old. His mother, Kiffah Aziz, who was on hand for the ceremony, confirmed this.

“I don’t want to embarrass him, but I still have pictures that he drew of himself as a policeman from when he was a small boy,” she said.

Aziz started as an Explorer with the department while he attended Pitman High School, and eventually became a cadet while attending Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State.

“I was born and raised here in Turlock, and to be able to serve and protect, and build connections, and meet a lot of great people in this community, means a lot to me,” said Aziz, who became an officer three years ago. “It inspires me to go out and do more and just be there for everybody.”

Aziz said the people of Turlock are what he loves most about the job.

“We go to calls all day and encounter many people,” Aziz said. “And just meeting those people and building connections is what I love most about the job.”

Hedden said he was not surprised that Aziz used the word “connections” several times while speaking about the job.

“‘Connections’ is a fitting term for what he embodies,” said Hedden. “He’s a team player from the word go. He’s always looking out for others.

“He’s an amazing young man, and he’s homegrown. He started with us as an Explorer, then as a cadet, then we sent him to the (police) academy. And that’s what we like to see: people who come up in our community that we’re able to teach from a young age. And look what an incredible job he does. Amir is a genuinely awesome guy.”

In addition to his mother, Aziz was joined at the festivities by his father, Majde Aziz, and sisters Rula, Nura, Anhar, and Noor Aziz.

Trujillo worked for the city in a different capacity prior to being hired by TPD as a code compliance technician in May 2024. He was promoted to code enforcement officer in May 2025.

“As a code enforcement officer, Gerardo’s work directly impacts residents’ daily lives,” said Hedden. “He consistently demonstrates dedication, integrity, and a strong commitment to community standards. He approaches each situation with professionalism and respect, balancing enforcement with education and problem-solving.”