Full Notification

Citizens Receive Ripon Police Chief’s Award

Today, in front of family, friends and City officials, two local citizens received awards from Ripon Police Chief Ed Ormonde for their actions during a violent encounter that occurred approximately 18 months ago in Ripon.

On 06-18-14, Ripon officers responded to frantic 911 calls near the Ripon Bike Bridge (600 Parallel Ave) regarding reports of a man attempting to rape and kidnap a woman at gunpoint.

The suspect, 35 year old Jose Vasquez Sanchez of Hughson, accosted a young female in the parking lot of Ripon Bike Bridge while she was with a group of friends. Sanchez demanded sex from the victim and he retrieved a sawed-off shotgun from his vehicle. He chased down the victim and held her at gunpoint while assaulting her.

The two men receiving the Chief’s awards, Grant Widmer of Lathrop and Logan Miller of Oakdale, both came to the aid of the victim. The men wrestled the sawed-off shotgun away from the suspect and they were able to subdue him. Ripon officers arrived on scene within minutes to arrest the suspect

Ripon uniformed officers and detectives spent a great deal of time and effort preparing reports and gathering evidence related to the prosecution of Sanchez.

On 08-24-15, Jose Vasquez Sanchez (35) of Hughson was sentenced in Stockton Superior Court to 16 years in state prison regarding his involvement in this violent attack.

Ripon Police Chief Ed Ormonde commended the actions of these men during this violent encounter. Chief Ormonde said, “Grant and Logan took action to save their friend who was being assaulted at gunpoint. They are to be commended for their actions during this encounter.”

Photo depicts (L-R) Ripon Police Chief Ed Ormonde, Logan Miller, Grant Widmer and Detective Gordon West