2026 Unparalleled Community Impact Award (UCIA) recipients

Recognizing deserving Guardians of Colorado and sharing their stories.

About the Award

The award honors first responders, the Guardians of Colorado, who consistently go above and beyond in service to both their departments and the communities they serve.

While we value the everyday dedication of these heroes, this award spotlights exceptional stories of leadership, compassion, and community commitment. Sponsored by Affidian Credit Union, it is our way of celebrating the profound, often unsung impact made by public servants across our state.

Recipient Recognition

Award winners receive a commemorative plaque and public recognition during a department ceremony that includes a celebratory luncheon hosted by Affidian Credit Union.

Candidate Nominations

We welcomed nominations from colleagues and community members. Nominees can be any first responder or support staff member who has demonstrated extraordinary service, including:

Law Enforcement Officers
Firefighters & Paramedics
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Emergency Dispatchers
Department Support Staff

2026 UCIA Honorees

We're proud to announce this year's Unparalleled Community Impact Award (UCIA) recipients:

Breann Bellio, Detective | Arvada Police Department
Dominic Benallo, Battalion Chief | Aurora Fire Rescue
Samantha Hickerson, Public Information Officer | Aurora Fire Rescue
Joe Hill, Battalion Chief | Aurora Fire Rescue
Carlos Ramirez-Cervantes, Firefighter | Aurora Fire Rescue
Robert Tanaka, Fire Medic | Aurora Fire Rescue
Ronald Thomas, Captain | Denver Sheriff Department
Mark Adams, Corporal | Douglas County Sheriff's Office

Featured Honoree Spotlight

Detective Breann Bellio - Arvada Police Department

Honored on October 22nd, Detective Bellio was recognized for her proactive, outstanding efforts to protect Arvada's senior citizens from financial fraud, predatory scams, and elder exploitation. Through extensive community outreach, public education initiatives, and relentless investigative determination, Detective Bellio has directly safeguarded vulnerable residents and brought critical awareness to a growing threat and successfully recovered nearly $300,000 for local victims over the past year.

"Financial fraud targeting senior citizens is an incredibly devastating crime, both financially and emotionally," said Christine Wiley, CEO of Affidian Credit Union. "Affidian Credit Union is deeply committed to protecting our members and the broader community against financial fraud. We admire Detective Bellio's vigilance, commitment, and tireless advocacy. Her work has restored financial security to vulnerable individuals and serves as a model of impactful community policing."

Aurora Fire Rescue Team

Dominic Benallo, Samantha Hickerson, Joe Hill, Carlos Ramirez-Cervantes, and Robert Tanaka will be honored on December 2nd for their lifesaving actions on April 9, 2026. The team provided rapid, advanced life support to an Aurora Police Officer who had been repeatedly stabbed during a violent incident. Thanks to their swift intervention, the officer survived and transitioned to a rehabilitation facility after 20 days of hospital care. His K9 partner was also stabbed during the incident and is also on the road to recovery.

"Hearing how the Battalion Chiefs entered a potentially unsafe scene to expedite providing lifesaving care to the officer was awe-inspiring," Wiley noted. "No less heroic were the efforts of the four team members who all entered the patient compartment of the ambulance and provided advanced life support care to the hospital. We're proud to honor them, and thankful for the recovery of the officer and his K9 partner."

Ronald Thomas - Denver Sheriff Department

Captain Ronald Thomas will be recognized this fall for his work as a dedicated ambassador in the community. He has built meaningful relationships with the community in many domains and through many organizations. He is involved extensively with Special Olympics Colorado and the annual Christmas Crusade for Children. He's played an instrumental role in organizing the Denver Sheriff Department's participation in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Colorado Plane Pull. He's also helped Special Olympics Colorado raise critical funds by increasing the participation of Denver Sheriff Department teammates in Tip-A-Cop events in the Denver Metro. He also works on the Executive Board of the Christmas Crusade for Children, where he helped coordinate donations and sponsorships that provided gifts for more than 100 children and their families.

"Captain Thomas is one of DSD's most dedicated ambassadors in the community," said Janelle Orozco, Major of Employee Development at the Denver Sheriff Department. "He makes himself available because he understands that positive community engagement strengthens trust and relationships between DSD and the community it serves."

Mark Adams - Douglas County Sheriff's Office

Corporal Mark Adams will be recognized on November 20th for his exceptional service as a School Resource Officer, Explorer Advisor, and Head Coach for the Chaparral High School Freshmen Football team. He is also the creator of the Eye-Five Youth Bike and Transportation Program and a key collaborator with the Backpack Society. Through these tireless efforts, Corporal Adams humanizes the badge and builds meaningful relationships as a trusted mentor to local students.

"Corporal Adams believes the true impact of law enforcement is measured not by arrests or citations, but by the trust built during a quiet conversation in a school hallway, on a football field, or at a community event," said Mark Mithuen, School Resource Officer Sergeant at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. "His unwavering commitment to protecting, mentoring, and lifting the youth of Douglas County makes him exceptionally qualified for the Affidian Credit Union Unparalleled Community Impact Award."

CONGRATULATIONS to all of this year's recipients!

And many thanks to all who submitted a nomination.

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