Sgt. Aaron Eller, a 21-year veteran with the Riverside County Sherriff’s Department, has been recognized with the Rick Espinoza Distinguished Service Award established by El Paseo Jewelers.
Sgt. Eller was honored by Palm Desert city officials Nov. 4 during a three-course dinner at Le Paon restaurant in Palm Desert. He has also been the recipient of the Department’s Unit Citation in 2005 and Lifesaving Award in 2009. CBS Local 2 newscaster Kris Long and meteorologist Patrick Evans hosted the event.
El Paseo Jewelers created the Rick Espinoza Distinguished Service Award in 2008 to honor a Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy for their dedication, service, and contribution to reducing crime in the name of Espinoza, a lead investigator with the department. Recipients of this award must serve the City of Palm Desert and its surrounding areas within the Coachella Valley.
Espinoza was working as an investigator identifying gang members under “Operation Falling Sun” and was assigned to work in Desert Hot Springs. That evening after pursuing a suspicious man into the desert, he was ambushed by the suspect and suffered a shot to his face that shattered his jaw.
El Paseo Jewelers
73520 El Paseo Ste. E, Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-773-1040
www.elpaseojewelers.com
Photography by: Loretta Vlach
