The Rotary Club of Murrieta awarded Vocational Service Awards to a City of Murrieta fireman, policeman, a Murrieta Valley Unified School District high school teacher and two nurses during a luncheon, Monday, January 27. The annual awards luncheon was held at Rancho Springs Medical Center’s Administration Conference Center and was attended by elected officials and community leaders.

The Murrieta Fire & Rescue awardee was Dean Hale, who died Nov. 11, 1919, after battling job-related cancer for eight of the 12 years he served in Murrieta as a firefighter/paramedic.  He had a total of 29 years in firefighting.

David Irving of the Murrieta Police Department was honored for his work in narcotics enforcement, holding offenders in post release compliance and as part of Murrieta’s Crisis Negotiation Team.

Natalie Boggs, a Murrieta Mesa High School special education teacher, was recognized for her work and efforts which reach beyond the classroom, including a districtwide Special Olympics for Murrieta Valley Unified School District students.

Southwest Healthcare System’s Michelle Langstaff RNC-OB was recognized for her work as perinatal clinical supervisor, her revamp of the birth center’s bereavement program, and development of a special garden for parents who experience loss of a baby during delivery.

The Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta awardee was Leann Terlecki who serves as stroke coordinator for the center.  Her work in educating patients, staff and the community on the risk factors, preventative measures and treatment available for strokes was recognized.

“The Rotary Club is honored to recognize these upstanding citizens who through their work are making huge contributions to our community,” Rotary Club President Jacqui Dobens said. “These individuals exemplify the standards of Rotary, including Service Above Self and the Four Way Test, which stresses integrity and fairness while building good will and better friendships.”

The honorees were nominated by their respective agencies for their distinguished vocational and community service.