El Paseo Jewelers is proud to present the 12th Annual Rick Espinoza Award to a deserving officer from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department, on November 6, 2020.
Each year, the Mehta family, owners of the fine jewelry story located on El Paseo for the past 27 years, honors an officer who has gone above and beyond in the line of duty for their dedication, service, and contribution to reducing crime. In light of the pandemic, this year’s ceremony will be held privately at El Paseo Jewelers.
The Annual Rick Espinoza Award was named for Sergeant Rick Espinoza after he was shot while pursuing a drug dealer in Desert Hot Springs in 2008. Sergeant Espinoza was one of the police officers that responded to the robbery that occurred at El Paseo Jewelers in 2006. “Sergeant Espinoza always checked in on us, even after he was reassigned,” remembers owner Raju Mehta, “he was family.” The news of Sergeant Espinoza being shot came as a shock to El Paseo Jewelers, but what floored them was Sergeant Espinoza’s willingness to return to service. Seeing this kind of dedication, El Paseo Jewelers started the award in Sergeant Espinoza’s honor in order to recognize the exemplary work that he and the Palm Desert/Riverside County Sheriff’s Department does for the Coachella Valley and the community.
The 2020 Annual Rick Espinoza Award honoree is Corporal Ruben Perez. Corporal Perez sustained multiple stab wounds to the neck and head when responding to a routine trespassing disturbance. The trespasser attacked Corporal Perez almost immediately upon his arrival. He was able to subdue his assailant, and was rushed to Desert Regional Medical, where he recovered from his injuries and significant blood loss.
El Paseo Jewelers is looking forward to presenting Corporal Perez with the Rick Espinoza Award on November 6th in front of his family, peers, and the community he fearlessly serves.
For more information, please contact Raju Mehta, El Paseo Jewelers at 760-773-1040.
