Pasadena Police Dispatchers and Fire Captain to be Honored for Service Beyond the Call of Duty

On September 10, 2014, the Pasadena Masonic Center, Wisdom Lodge #202, will honor Pasadena Police Emergency Service Operators (ESO) Diane Marin and Alexis Bartoli, and Pasadena Fire Captain Wendell Eaton, for “service beyond the call of duty.” This is Wisdom Lodge’s 13th year of recognizing exceptional public service during their annual Observance of the United States Constitution. Lodge members support the belief that as citizens we should recognize the United States Constitution as the document that carries the ideals that founded this country, and pause to remember all the great men and women who have stood for, defended, and fought to maintain those ideals in their truest form. Recognizing individuals in public safety who provided “service beyond the call of duty” furthers this commemoration.

On July 12, 2014 at approximately 4:20 p.m., the Pasadena Police Department received several 9-1-1 calls from residents reporting shots fired in the 1700 block of Summit Avenue. Upon arrival, the initial officer observed a woman down on the sidewalk and attempted to render aid when he came under heavy gunfire from the suspect. Following the shooting of five victims, three fatal, and the brazen attack on the officer, the suspect barricaded himself inside a home where he called the Pasadena dispatch center. For the next 20 minutes, ESO Diane Marin calmly dialoged with the suspect who was intermittently firing his firearm outside the home into the neighborhood. Ultimately, ESO Marin persuaded the suspect into putting down his weapon and surrendering himself to law enforcement officers who had surrounded the location. During this very chaotic and unstable situation, Police Dispatcher Alexis Bartoli remained composed and professionally coordinated police and fire personnel at the active shooter scene, contributing to the successful conclusion without additional loss of life.

For their calm and courageous actions which prevented additional people from being, Wisdom Lodge #202 is recognizing Police Emergency Service Operators Diane Marin and Alexis Bartoli.

Fire Captain Wendell Eaton was nominated by his peers for his exceptional devotion to duty during his 20 years of service to Pasadena. In addition to being a Fire Captain, for the last three years Captain Eaton has served as the Pasadena Police Department’s Arson Investigator. He was instrumental in the solving and prosecution of numerous arson cases, including the double arson homicide at a boarding house in the 1300 block of El Sereno Avenue on November 1, 2012 and a 2013 serial arsonist crime spree linking 31 fires in Pasadena and South Pasadena. Captain Eaton is a tenacious and skilled criminal investigator certified by the California State Fire Marshal as a Level II fire Investigator and a nationally certified Explosive Investigator.

During Captain Eaton’s employment with the Pasadena Fire Department, he has received seven awards: Fire Chief Letter of Appreciation, Fire Chief Letter of Recognition, Unit Citations, Fire Chief Letter of Commendation, Unit Citation from South Pasadena Police Department, and the 2014 Employee of the Year.

ESOs Diane Marin and Alexis Bartoli, and Fire Captain Wendell Eaton, are committed public servants dedicated to safety and enhancing our community’s quality of life.