Judy Sousa Receives ‘Challenge Coin’ from EPD

This is a press release from the Eureka Police Department:

It is the mission of the Eureka Police Department to “Work in partnership with the community to prevent and reduce crime, to safeguard public trust, improve the quality of life and protect the future of Eureka through dedicated professional service.” EPD is committed to promoting community-oriented policing concepts and positive relations with the public we serve.  We further this purpose by acknowledging valued citizens and groups who commit acts of extraordinary kindness or valor, unselfishly give of themselves to help others, or perform other good deeds that go above and beyond the normal courtesies society expects.

To this end, we commissioned the minting of a special “challenge coin” to be awarded to deserving individuals who give of themselves in an exceptional manner.  This unique full-color coin represents the Eureka Police Department’s cherished values of VALOR, SERVICE, and COMMUNITY and may be displayed proudly.  These values are printed on the coin’s face surrounding the Great Seal of the State of California. The reverse side of the coin depicts the emblem found on the Eureka Police Department patch.

Through her selfless labors over the years, Judy has truly exemplified the meaning of “service” and “community.”

Judy is a master seamstress that continues to find creative ways to support the Eureka Police Department.  She has created a number of different badges for various units within our department, continually is called upon to fix, add and modify uniforms for our patrol officers, and it’s not uncommon to get a personalized piece of Judy’s creative mind delivered to the Department.  Every Christmas she ensures each of our employees has a stocking with their name engraved on it and throughout the year, delivers fresh and hot baked goods.

Judy also created the ‘I Like Eureka’ baseball hats that were sold at the very first ‘I Like Eureka’ neighborhood watch party.  They were so well received that she made more and later made aprons as well.  She has made Thin Blue Line hats as fundraising efforts for neighborhood watch and aprons for CSET to use for the annual barbeque and St. Vincent de Paul.

Most recently Judy sewed autism awareness seatbelt covers that are to be used by persons with autism that will assist first responders where quick identification of autism would be helpful.  These covers were bright in color and received a great level of support from the autism community.

Judy also volunteers her time each year at EPD’s 4th of July booth showing support for Shop with a Cop and Neighborhood Watch.   She is a co-administrator for the City’s Neighborhood Watch group of over 3,000 members and she also spent more than a year serving on the Syringe Community Advisory Committee for the City & EPD.

In writing up this award, community members and members of the department had the following to say:

• Judy Sousa is dedicated and loyal to the core for the Eureka Police Department.

• Judy is committed to supporting the Eureka Police Department and our community.

• Chief Watson promoted me to Police Sergeant at 1600 hours.  I called Judy immediately after and brought her my uniform shirts to put my Sergeants’ patches on.  She had them done within two hours so I could wear my stripes when I was pinned that night by a fellow retired Sergeant.  One of the many ways she goes above and beyond for our personnel at the department.
• Judy is the true definition of ‘selfless.’  She is always a phone call away and more than willing to do whatever is needed or asked of her.  Her support for this department and its members is unwavering and is truly valued and appreciated by all.

• I’m proud to call Judy Sousa a friend and I’m thrilled to see her receive the recognition she deserves and to be honored for her dedication to EPD and our community.

On behalf of the Eureka Police Department, it is my pleasure to honor and recognize you for your tireless efforts in giving back to your community in so many ways.  You have touched many lives and made a lasting difference.  Please accept with this coin the recognition and appreciation of the Eureka Police Department.     

Sincerely,

Stephen Watson, Chief of Police