LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Orinda's Officers to the Rescue


Pictured from L to R are Officers Neil Rafanan, Kevin Mooney, Ron Westhorpe, and Yvonne McDaniel (by the podium). A.Firth

One day in late October, Orinda resident Yvonne McDaniel wasn't feeling well. A call from concerned family members to the Orinda police that day may have saved her life. When Officers Ron Westhorpe and Kevin Mooney arrived at McDaniel's home, they saw her stumble around and fall. Westhorpe proceeded to kick down the door to the home in order to gain access to McDaniel while Mooney called for medical assistance. "They were just marvelous," said McDaniel in her comments to the Orinda City Council on November 29th when the two officers were recognized by the City for their life saving efforts. McDaniel suffered a stroke that day but has experienced no sequelae, which she attributes to the fact that she was transported quickly to the hospital and was able to receive a clot-busting drug.