Jul 4, 2002 By April Straughters 3 min read

California police were honored in an Independence Day celebration at the Center in the Woods Wednesday. Mary Hart, executive director at Center in the Woods, said the celebration was a “fitting tribute.”

“Thinking of Independence Day and how important that is to us, then thinking about the police and what they do to protect that independence means a lot,” Hart said.

“There was a lot of recognition for police officers and firemen on 9-11, but we should have been paying attention to them before then.”

Mayor Galvie Gardner said he hopes people are honoring police and firefighters allover the country.

“Hopefully this is going on all over the country,” he said. “These men put their life on the line every day,” he said.

As part of the celebration, Gardner introduced some of the officers of the California Police Department: Tom Hixenbaugh, Richard Encapera, Jason Conaway, Curtis Rice, Josh Kanalis and Aldo Filoni and police Chief Steve Silbaugh.

Each officer told the large audience a little bit about themselves and expressed their appreciation for recognition before Hart presented them with a certificate of appreciation for their “tireless dedication and service and protection.”

“The police are up here (Center in the Woods) all the time. It’s a really good feeling. We not only appreciate what they do for us but for the whole community,” she said.

Arabelle Lancaster of Hiller, accompanied by Germaine Johns of Brownsville, gave a musical presentation in honor of the officers.

Silbaugh said the celebration was a good opportunity to spend some “quality time with those we serve and protect.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to sit down with people and get to know them. We usually meet people in a negative environment. Here, we meet people on good terms, in a positive environment. It’s great,” Silbaugh said.

Gardner said the department is appreciative of the recognition.

“We love this, all of us. It’s good to be appreciated,” he said.

Gardner said the California community as a whole is supportive of the department, which includes seven full-time and seven part-time officers, many of whom grew up in the borough.

Encapera thanked the Center in the Woods for their recognition and reminded those in the audience of the importance of this particular holiday.

“This is a special Fourth of July because this is the first Fourth after the 9-11 crisis and that makes it a bit more special. So we should celebrate but know what we are celebrating,” he said.