SocialeS Jessie Gutierres Recognized as Veteran of the Week

OKLAHOMA CITY – Air Force veteran Jessie Gutierres, a resident of Oklahoma House District 84, was recognized as the Veteran of the Week in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday, April 3, by House Majority Leader Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City.

Gutierres served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966 overseas including in Saudi Arabia and achieved the commission of Honorary Colonel by the Oklahoma National Guard. He received the Southwest Asia Service Award, the 4409th Operations Group Certificate of Appreciation supporting Operation Desert

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Storm, and he was the four-time recipient of the Armed Forces Longevity Service Award.

He retired after 31 years in the Air Force, but he continued his service on the Oklahoma City Police Department, where again he served with distinction. He received the Oklahoma Governor's Commendation in 1995 for aiding investigations following the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City. He also is credited with saving the life of a four-year-old boy who sustained life-threatening injuries in an accident. He would not stop CPR and was able to revive the child.

"It was my absolute honor to be able to recognize my friend and neighbor, Colonel Gutierres, from our House district for his dis- tinguished service to our state and our nation," West said. "He served in numerous places overseas, but he came back to Oklahoma and continued to give up his life and his service to us. Appreciation for his sacrifice and risk to preserve our freedoms and our way of life simply cannot be measured."

Gutierres' daughter Jacquelin Simcox flew in from New Jersey to attend Monday's ceremony in the House, which was also attended by his foster sister Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon.

West presented Gutierres with a citation read in the House as well as an American flag flown over the State Capitol in his honor.