Crime & Safety
LBPD Officer Honored for Career Achievement
Sgt. Ronald Burgess Jr. receives the Richard A. Rose award.
Long Beach Police Sgt. Ronald Burgess Jr., supervisor of the department's Port of Long Beach security unit, has been awarded the Richard A. Rose Career Achievement Award in recognition of “integrity, loyalty and professionalism.”
Established by the Honorary Members of the Long Beach Police Officers Association in memory of Sgt. Richard A. Rose—a 30-year decorated LBPD veteran who died of cancer in 1998—the award is bestowed upon an active police officer with a minimum of 20 years of LBPD service. Burgess was presented the award on Feb. 24.
A veteran of more than 25 years with the LBPD, Burgess is currently assigned as supervisor of the Port Security Unit, which was formed in response to 9/11 bombings to ensure and support security in the second largest port in the nation.
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He has served in many capacities, including patrol and field training officer, MP-5 submachine gun instructor and sniper, and was one of the first EMTs (emergency medical technician) on the S.W.A.T. team until his promotion to the rank of sergeant in June 2000.
Burgess has also taught at the Long Beach Police Academy and has received over 50 commendations and numerous meritorious awards and unit citations; he was Police Officer of the Year in 1998 and was awarded a Silver Star for bravery from the American Police Hall of Fame.