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 2022 Light of Hope Award Nominees Recognized from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office and Health and Human Services
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is honored to announce that two of our Detectives have been selected to receive the 2022 Light of Hope Award. Each year since 2017, Prevent Child Abuse Calaveras (PCAC) and Calaveras Court Appointed Special Advocates of Calaveras (CASA) accept nominations to recognize individuals who have provided remarkable support to children as part of recognizing the month of April as Be the One Month. This support includes child abuse prevention efforts, support of child advocacy, mentorship, and for individual work to improve conditions within the county to foster safety, support, and the protection of children. This year, California Superior Court Judge David M. Sanders announced that both Detectives Alvarez and Glanville were to be honored by receiving this award for their child abuse prevention work and continued advocacy.  While the nomination is typically awarded to one individual, Detective Nichole Alvarez and Detective Zach Glanville were nominated as a pair for their collaboration together in working to protect children from child abuse. However, they can individually be recognized for their passion and true desire to promote justice for children.
Det. Alvarez is primarily assigned to investigate crimes involving child sexual abuse. Alvarez spends her workweek speaking to child victims as well as their parents, carefully navigating and investigating this sensitive subject. She is diligent in her follow up with detailed interviews and documentation in order to build evidence for successful prosecution of each case. Det. Glanville investigates crimes involving other abuses and neglect of children. He regularly accompanies other agencies to the homes and schools of children when abuse is suspected. He thoroughly investigates these cases with the welfare of the child as the primary concern. Det. Glanville will soon be adding to his workload by investigating cases where drug use endangers children.  The true calling of both detectives is to mentor, protect and rescue victimized children while holding their offenders accountable.
Both detectives are described as caring and genuine investigators who make their conversations with children calming and casual. They create an atmosphere where children feel safe and comfortable to speak about their experiences. Mentoring and advocating for children is not an accessory to their job, but a necessity. Detectives Alvarez and Glanville are continually responsive to the needs of children who have been victimized or are in danger.
In addition to these roles, both detectives mentor Calaveras youths through the Sheriff’s Explorer program which provides the opportunity for teenagers to experience law enforcement under the direct mentorship of Sheriff’s Office staff. The program relies upon deputies who have a true interest in working with youth while exemplifying the characteristics of success and positivity. Detectives Alvarez and Glanville show sincere dedication to their work and their level of serving children goes above and beyond what is typically expected of their position. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have Detective Alvarez and Detective Glanville on our team.
Marci Gallagher and Alisa Gehrke, both employees from the Calaveras Health and Human Services Agency, were also recognized. Marci Gallagher, a trained public health nurse for Calaveras County, works as a dedicated advocate for foster care youth to get them the medical services they need. Her insight and expertise are valued by many who work closely with her. Alisa Gehrke, a Social Worker Supervisor for HHSA, brings over 25 years of experience and expertise working with children who have experienced abuse or neglect. She is described as a mentor to many different children and adults alike. She brings the value of family to the center of decision making and engages others to do the same. Her positive impact in the community is evident by the many young people who stay in contact with her into adulthood.