Crime Stoppers of Houston Honors Distinguished Community Members at Annual Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon

More than 400 guests joined Crime Stoppers of Houston at the Royal Sonesta Hotel for their annual Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon to honor and celebrate outstanding community members who have made incredible contributions to make Houston and surrounding counties a safer place to live, work, learn and play.

Over $200,000 raised to fund critical crime prevention and public safety initiatives and official announcement of the inaugural Fenner Weller Award, Women Who Shape Houston, Partner of the Year and the Dave Ward Media Excellence Award.

Dana Tyson, host of Sunny 99.1 Morning Show lent her support as the mistress of ceremonies and led the afternoon festivities which included opening remarks from Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious and ended with Houston Media Icon Dave Ward unveiling the winner of the inaugural Dave Ward Excellence Award.

The following 2019 Heroes were presented with distinguished awards for being positive contributors to our community through their long-standing support of crime prevention and public safety initiatives that make Houston, and Texas, safer for all:

The Johnny Klevenhagen Award – The Harris County Violent Crime Unit & The DPS Texas Anti-Gang Center Violent Crime Unit
The Corporate Citizen Award – Phillips 66
The Fenner Weller Award – Glenda and Russell Gordy
The Leiv Platou Award – Michael D. Wilson
The Safe School Award – Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle
Inaugural Partner of the Year Award – Houston Police Department, Chief Art Acevedo and Assistant Chief Bobby Dobbins
Inaugural The Women Who Shape Houston Award – The Houston 20, Jennifer Hohman and Amy Pierce

“We take pride and find it a privilege to have the opportunity to recognize the 2019 Houston Heroes for the personal and professional contributions each of them has made to promote and enhance safety. They are a true inspiration for all! Beyond that, we must thank our partners who made the luncheon possible, including Aramco, our Presenting Partner, and Glenda and Russell Gordy as well as Phillips 66 our Safety Partners. So many joined to celebrate and honor our heroes for their forward-minded thinking which makes Houston, and all of Texas, safer.” shared Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious.

The highlight of the luncheon was the unveiling of the inaugural winner of the Dave Ward Media Excellence Award, which Crime Stoppers named after Mr. Ward who was instrumental in establishing Crime Stoppers in Houston, Texas back in 1981. Dave Ward took the stage to finally reveal the well-kept secret: “Dave Ward Media Excellence Award to my good friend Ted Oberg,” declared Dave Ward.

Spotted at the luncheon were: Crime Stoppers Chairman Jeff Vaden and Sonya Vaden, Lindsey and Scott Aronstein, Tama Lundquist, Tena Lundquist Faust, Laura Ward, Jill and Charlie Talisman, Justin Vickrey, Noe Diaz, Lynette and Michael Kuznar, Ricardo and Joan Nazario, Donae Chramosta, Jill Herrera, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Joni and Michael Hoffman, Cynthia Cisneros, Grace Olivares, Amber and Cary Gray, Gina Gaston, Beth Arlington, Rachelle Rowe, Jan Chafin, Logan Leal, Susan Holcomb, Katrina Arnim, Tracy Faulkner, Mauri Oliver, Vicki Rizzo, and many more.

Notable guests include City of Houston Director of Homeland Security George Buenik, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Harris County Constable Precinct One Alan Rosen, Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo, and Council Members Brenda Stardig, Jack Christie and Amanda Edwards.

For more information visit www.crime-stoppers.org or call 713-521-4600.

Photos by Quy Tran