Hero gets his day

Eron Ben-Yehuda

Huntington Beach treated a police officer shot in the line of duty to a

hero’s ceremony at Monday’s City Council meeting.

Mayor Peter Green proclaimed Oct. 4 as Nicholas Ekovich Day, in honor of

the 25-year veteran who foiled a robbery attempt at a hair salon early

last month. Ekovich killed the gunman but not before he fired six shots,

four hitting the officer’s bulletproof vest, two shattering his left arm.

“We are very proud to have such an officer in our city,” Green said.

As the 52-year-old policeman stood with a cast on his left arm, the

audience, filled with fellow officers, city officials, and residents,

gave him a standing ovation.

A video screen on the council chamber’s wall showed a photograph of a

smiling Ekovich with the words “Thank You!” Ekovich’s family received

yellow roses. An honor guard, made up of five police officers, marched in

formation.

Police Chief Ron Lowenberg said that not only does Ekovich’s bravery

shine, but so does his good character. The example Ekovich sets should

serve as a “lantern” for everyone to follow, the chief said.

Despite the adulation, Ekovich remained modest throughout the ceremony,

thanking his family for its support and giving credit to those held

hostage by the robber in the Green Tree Salon at the corner of Hamilton

Avenue and Bush Street.

Even before the suspect pulled out a gun, hair stylist Mitzi Douillard

started dialing 911, Ekovich said.

“She just picked up intuitively that this guy was no good,” he said.

Douillard attended the ceremony in addition to the other hostages,

customer Jocelyn Downing and her 2-year-old son, Chaz.

Fate allowed him to rescue the boy, Ekovich said.

“I was put there to make sure his life was saved for some reason down the

road,” he said, choking up.

Ekovich isn’t the only one who puts his life on the thin blue line for

the city, Green said.

“We should realize also that he is one of many,” he said. “We are

appreciative of all of them.”