Downey Patriot wins 5 awards in state journalism contest

This photo from a Veterans Day ceremony in Downey last year was part of a collection that won first or second place in a California Newspaper Publishers Association journalism contest. Photo by Eric Pierce

DOWNEY – The Downey Patriot has won five awards in a journalism contest sponsored by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. 

Newspapers were notified last week that they qualified for awards, although final winners won’t be announced until an April 30 gala at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. Here is the full list of winners.

The Patriot won either third or fourth place in the “Special Section” category for its 2015 year-in-review magazine. 

The annual magazine is published by the Patriot every December and recaps the entire year, along with original stories and photos. 

In the “Best Front Page” category, the Patriot won third or fourth place for its Nov. 19, 2015 edition. The issue included extensive coverage of the death of Downey police officer Ricky Galvez, who was shot and killed in a botched robbery the previous night. 

Photographer John Zander won third or fourth place for his photographs of Galvez’s funeral. 

Staff writer Christian Brown won third or fourth place in “Coverage of Business News” for his story detailing Taco Bell’s efforts to save its original restaurant location in Downey. 

Contributing writer Alex Dominguez won first or second place in the “Breaking News” category for his coverage of a Sept. 10 standoff at Chris & Pitts. 

Dominguez embedded himself near a L.A. County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team and reported in real-time via Twitter as law enforcement stormed the restaurant and ended a hostage situation with no injuries to innocent victims. 

Editor Eric Pierce won first or second place in the “Photo Story/Essay” category for his photos of a Veterans Day ceremony at Downey City Hall last year.