Long Beach Post Visuals Editor Thomas Cordova has been honored as one of the best photojournalists in the western United States.

Cordova placed ninth among the top 10 photojournalists of the year by the National Press Photographers Association, Region 10, which covers publications across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.

In September 2018, Cordova was awarded top honors in a national photography contest for his spot news photo of firefighters embracing following the death of Capt. David Rosa. The association judges the best photographs each month from around the country. Cordova’s photo won first place in the West region, then took first in the nationwide competition.

Terry Pierson of the Riverside Press-Enterprise received top honors and other photojournalists placing in the top 10 work with the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Arizona Daily Star, Orange County Register, San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Star-News and Getty Images.