[Police Department Autumn Awards & Recognition Ceremony ]
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I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYBODY HERE.
JUST ON A LITTLE SIDE NOTE WITH OUR PIPES AND DRUMS, I REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE JUST GETTING STARTED WITH THAT OVER 20 SOME YEARS AGO.
UH, OFFICER NAMED TODD BIRCHER, HE WAS OUT THE TRAINING ACADEMY AND THAT WAS THE SONG I ASKED HIM TO LEARN.
SO, KIND OF NEED A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY FOR ME.
UH, ANYHOW, I WANNA WELCOME YOU.
I'M ONE OF THE ASSISTANT CHIEFS HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT.
UH, TODAY WE'RE GONNA GO THROUGH, UH, WE'RE GONNA HAVE CHAPLAIN OLA BURNS DO OUR CALL FOR PROTECTION.
WE'LL HAVE SOME OPENING REMARKS FROM CHIEF DAVIS, AND THEN WE'LL DO THE PRESENTATION OF HONOREE AND THEN WE'LL HAVE SOME CLOSING REMARKS.
WE, UM, ARE IN SOME INTERESTING TIMES.
I HAVE BEEN CONTEMPLATING WHAT I WOULD ASK GOD FOR TODAY.
I PRAY FOR YOUR PROTECTION ON A DAILY BASIS.
BUT IF YOU WOULD BOW WITH ME RIGHT NOW, I HAVE A COUPLE OTHER THINGS I'D LIKE TO ASK HIM FOR MOST HEAVILY.
FATHER GOD, WE JUST THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE YOU RIGHT NOW, MOST AND FOREMOST, TO RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO HAVE SET ASIDE, UM, THEIR LIVES, TO PROTECT AND SERVE YOUR PEOPLE.
WE ASK YOU, LORD, IN THE NAME OF JESUS AS THEY ARE SERVING AND PROTECTING, THAT YOU WILL PROTECT THEM ALSO, BOTH SWORN AND CIVILIAN.
I ASK YOU, LORD, THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PLACE UPON OUR HEARTS, THAT IT IS A HIGH CALLING, AND THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO THIS POSITION ARE EXPECTED TO, UM, CARRY THEMSELVES IN THAT WAY.
WE THANK YOU, LORD, THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US A TEAM THAT IS, UM, ALWAYS THINKING OF THE BEST WAY AND HOW TO HONOR YOU IN SERVING THIS COMMUNITY.
I THANK YOU, LORD FOR OUR NEW CHIEF.
I THANK YOU, LORD FOR OUR, UM, ANY OTHER NEW POSITIONS THAT WILL BE, UH, ANNOUNCED TODAY.
AND I THANK YOU FOR THE SUPERIOR SERVICE AWARDS TO ALL OF THOSE WHO WILL BE RECEIVING THEM, CONTINUE TO PROTECT US AND GUIDE US.
AND WHEN WE GO ASTRAY, LORD, I KNOW THAT YOU WILL BRING US BACK INTO THE POSITION THAT YOU WOULD HAVE US PLEASE PLACE UPON THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE, THAT WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THEM, THAT WE ARE HERE TO PROTECT THEM, THAT WE ARE HERE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT THE MOST NOTED POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.
I PRAY THIS IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, JESUS.
AND IF WE COULD ALL TAKE A MOMENT, WE WOULD LIKE TO,
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UM, REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.WE WON'T CALL THE NAMES, BUT THE NAMES I BELIEVE ARE HERE.
FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THEIR SERVICE.
YOU'RE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB SO FAR.
I KNOW THIS WAS SOMETHING YOU WERE A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT.
UM, WELCOME EVERYBODY, UM, FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF ALL OF OUR PEOPLE GETTING, UH, RECOGNIZED FOR, UM, YOU KNOW, AWARDS FOR YEARS OF SERVICE.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE THREE PROMOTIONS THAT'S EXTREMELY EXCITING.
UM, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT, UM, IN OUR GOAL TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE HERE IN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT AND I BELIEVE IN EVERYBODY HERE.
AND WE'RE GONNA GET THIS JOB DONE.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE A LOT OF FUN.
WE'RE GONNA DO SOME GREAT THINGS HERE, UM, FOR FAMILY MEMBERS.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I CARE ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONES.
UM, I'M GONNA GIVE THEM THE TOOLS AND THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOB, AND I'M GONNA SUPPORT 'EM ALONG THE WAY.
UM, PART OF THIS A HUNDRED DAY PLAN THAT WE'VE GOT GOING, ONE OF IT, UM, IS A FAMILY SURVEY IS GONNA BE COMING OUT.
AND I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE VERY, VERY STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
SO I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR, AND YOU'RE NOT GONNA HURT ANYBODY'S FEELINGS BECAUSE IF THERE'S ANY WAY THAT, OR ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO MAKE YOUR BURDEN LESS AND, AND LESSEN THE STRESS AND THE ANXIETY THAT YOU AS FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE ON A DAILY BASIS OF YOUR LOVED ONES COMING INTO WORK, I WANNA KNOW ABOUT IT.
AND SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD HERE IN THIS, UH, THIS CEREMONY OF RECOGNIZING PEOPLE KNOW, AGAIN, THAT WE'RE ALL HERE TO, UM, TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE THE WORK OF ALL THE GOOD WORK THAT'S BEING DONE HERE.
AND I KNOW THAT'S ON A DAILY BASIS, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL.
AND, UH, LET'S GET THIS STARTED THERE.
SO AS WE GET INTO HONORING EVERYBODY, UH, I WOULD JUST ASK, IF YOU ARE HERE TO BE HONORED, JUST GO AROUND TO MY LEFT, OVER TO THE TABLE.
YOU CAN GET YOUR CERTIFICATES OR BADGE.
SO WE'RE JUST STOP HERE FOR A PICTURE AND THEN STOP HERE FOR A PICTURE WITH CHIEF.
AND IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN STOP WITH ME TOO,
SO SERVICE MILESTONES, WE'RE GONNA START WITH OUR FIVE YEAR SERVICE AWARDS.
IF YOU'RE HERE, GO AHEAD AND PLEASE LINE UP.
UH, WE'LL START WITH POLICE DISPATCHER, MONICA ALVARADO, HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST, ALBERT DE LA GARZA, POLICE DISPATCHER RUBY GARCIA, CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST.
JEROME GUERRERO, VICTIM SERVICES SUPERVISOR.
CATHERINE MARY HERBERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS SPECIALIST.
AND I GOT A LITTLE SHOUT OUT FOR HER 'CAUSE SHE HELPED ME IMPROVE MY BROWNIES I USED TO TAKE TO COMMUNICATIONS.
HELP WITH MY RECIPE, UH, IT BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYST, ALFONSO MONTEZ, FORENSICS, TECH LEADER, FIREARM AND TOOLMARK.
JESSICA RAKOWSKI, POLICE DISPATCHER THREE, MELISSA SALANA, POLICE DISPATCH LEAD.
MEGAN STEFAN, SUPERVISOR VICTIM SERVICES, LAURA TORRES.
NOW OUR 10 YEAR SERVICE AWARDS.
IF YOU'RE HERE, GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO THE LEFT AND GET READY TO COME ON DOWN.
WE HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE SENIOR RUTH, BLACK WELDER, POLICE COMMUNICATIONS LEAD AND DISPATCHER, ELIJAH BORING, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST, CYNTHIA PENA, ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST NORMA VIAL.
AND WE GOT ENORMOUS COMING DOWN.
AND AS IF YOU PROCEED THROUGH THE LINE, UH, WE HAVE OUR EXECUTIVE AND COMMAND STAFF WAITING OVER TO RECEIVE YOU AS WELL.
OUR 10 YEAR SERVICE AWARD CONTINUES WITH THE HUNDRED 28TH CADET CLASS, UH, WHICH GRADUATED
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DECEMBER 12TH, 2014.AND I'M NOT GONNA READ THE NAMES, BUT I, I AM GONNA READ THE COMMENT FROM THEIR CLASS PRESIDENT OFFICER JOHN CONNOR.
IT'S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE A DECADE HAS PASSED SINCE OUR DAYS TOGETHER AS CADETS.
IT HAS BEEN, AND IT CONTINUES TO BE MY GREAT HONOR TO LEARN AND GROW WITH YOU ALL.
I'M PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH A COLLECTION OF DEDICATED LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS.
WE RIGHTLY CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF HONORABLE SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN.
LET US ALSO REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US.
TO THOSE WHO MOVED ON TO OTHER PROFESSION PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS, WE WISH YOU THE BEST TO THOSE WHO WERE TRAGICALLY TAKING FROM US TOO SOON, WE HOLD YOU IN OUR HEARTS TO THOSE WHO FACE UNJUST PERSECUTION.
OFFICER JOHN CONNOR, CLASS PRESIDENT.
ANOTHER 10 YEAR SERVICE WAR FOR THE HUNDRED AND 29TH CADET CLASS, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
15 YEAR SERVICE AWARDS FOR THE HUNDRED AND 16TH CADET CLASS, AND WE'LL CONTINUE WITH 15 YEAR SERVICE AWARDS.
WE'LL START WITH, UH, FINANCIAL MANAGER, ANGEL ARMSTRONG, VEHICLE COORDINATOR.
ERIC VARGAS, EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR, GARY ELMORE.
ONE POLICE DISPATCHER BENJAMIN HANSON, NINE ONE ONE CALL TAKER LEWIT HILL INVENTORY PLANNER.
JOSE JIMENEZ, POLICE DISPATCHER LEAD.
DEBORAH PARK PROGRAM COORDINATOR, FITNESS AND WELLNESS.
KELLY SEARS, TWO AND CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE ANALYST, SENIOR KIMBERLY WARLEY.
HE WANTS TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU.
OH, I WAS, 'CAUSE I USED TO BRING YOU TREATS IN COMMUNICATION.
NOW WE'RE GONNA MOVE TO OUR 20 YEAR SERVICE AWARDS WITH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
UH, CORPORAL BASTO IS A LIVING LEGEND AT THE NORTH.
UH, SERGEANT GOODWIN, I REMEMBER WHEN HE GRADUATED AND CAME OUT TO BAKER SECOND.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS.
20 YEARS OF SERVICE, UH, FOR BECKY, LIEUTENANT BECKY BREAL.
LIEUTENANT BECKY BREAL IS A REMARKABLE AND DEDICATED LEADER.
I HAVE COME TO RELY HEAVILY ON HER JUDGMENT AND EXPERTISE, OFTEN FIND MYSELF THANKING HER FOR SHOWING UP IN JUST THE NICK OF TIME.
WHILE I KNOW IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HOLD A GOOD LEADER BACK.
YOU HAVE BEEN A WONDERFUL GIFT TO THE NORTH SUB AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PRESENCE.
WHILE I STILL HAVE YOU COMMANDER LEE DAVIS, ANOTHER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
IS SHE IN THE BACK? IS SHE IN THE BACK? OH, SHE WAS IN THE BACK.
OH, YOU'VE BEEN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO COME AROUND
GOTTA GET YOUR, YOU GOTTA GET YOUR PEN, BUT YOU NEED TO DO THE THANK YOU.
SO I NEED TO BACK UP A MOMENT.
IF YOU WERE ONE OF THE, IN ONE OF THE CADET CLASSES THAT GOT YOUR 10 OR 15 YEARS, IF YOU'D STILL LIKE TO COME FORWARD, I'M SORRY I DIDN'T DO THAT EARLIER, BUT YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME FORWARD AND BE RECEIVED AND RECOGNIZED.
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THERE WERE A COUPLE, IF YOUR CLASS WAS CALLED, COME UP AND GET YOUR PEN.SORRY ABOUT THAT AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT LETTING THEM COME FORWARD.
AND CORPORAL DON WELLER, I GOT TO SAY THANK HIM FOR HALLOWEEN.
HE BOUGHT BAGS OF CANDY FOR HIS ENTIRE SHIFT TO HAND OUT, SO WELL THANK YOU.
SO WITH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, BONNIE KDE, CONGRATULATIONS TO OFFICER BONNIE KDE FOR ACHIEVING A MILESTONE.
SHE'S BEEN AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.
AND HER DEDICATION TO HELPING HER PEERS, SHE HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MANY OFFICER'S LIVES.
SHE EPITOMIZES THE PHRASE, I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, SERGEANT JEN SMITH.
AND IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THOSE THAT DO PEER SUPPORT, IT'S A 24 7 JOB AND WE THANK THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO FOR US.
UH, CONTINUUM WITH THE 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, UH, JORGE DE DELAROSA, THERE HE IS.
JORGE HAS PROUDLY SERVED THE CITY OF AUSTIN NOW FOR 20 YEARS.
HE MANAGES TO ALWAYS COME IN EVERY DAY WITH AN UPBEAT POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
HE TAKES GREAT JOY IN BEING ABLE TO HELP ALL THE CUSTOMERS THAT HE INTERACTS WITH.
JORGE IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH HE LOVES HIS JOB.
SO MUCH SO THAT EVEN HAS A DAUGHTER THAT WORKS HERE NOW AT A PD MICHAEL LORE, GENERAL MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR.
EVERY TIME YOU SEE HIM, HE'S GOT A SMILE ON HIS FACE.
AND HONORING ANOTHER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.
CHRISTINA'S A HIGHLY RESPECTED HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBER.
SHE WORKS EXTREMELY HARD TO ENSURE THAT ALL OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS RECEIVE THE BENEFITS THEY'RE ENTITLED TO PROMPTLY.
SHE HAS MASTERED THE ART OF JUGGLING ALL THE PROGRAMS UNDER LEAVE MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY, WHILE WORKING WITH ALL THE NECESSARY STAKEHOLDERS.
WE'D BE LOST WITHOUT HER AND HER KNOWLEDGE, JANA THOMAS.
I'VE, UH, UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE HAD TO FILL OUT SOME WORKERS' COMP PAPERWORK OVER THE YEARS.
SO
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, LIEUTENANT IRVIN WILLIAMS. AND I DON'T SEE BOBBY.
ANOTHER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE FOR ROSS, LUER ROSS.
UH, ROSS HAS SERVED HIS CITY FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS NOW AND HAS DISPATCHED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF EMERGENCY CALLS ENSURING THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE RESPONDING TO THE CORRECT LOCATIONS PROMPTLY TO KEEP THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN SAFE.
WE THANK ROSS DEEPLY FOR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, GARY ELMORE.
AND IT'S RARE YOU EVER SEE ROSS WITHOUT A HAT TOO.
20 YEARS OF SERVICE GOES TO LISA ALVAREZ.
LUISA HAS BEEN IN CENTRAL RECORDS DEPARTMENT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.
SHE HAS A VAST KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORKINGS AND HELPS WITH TRAINING.
SHE HAS BEEN A NOVELTY AND GREAT TO WORK WITH.
LUISA HAS QUICK, A QUIRKY SENSE OF HUMOR AND LOVES TO LAUGH AND SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT
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ASSET TO THIS DEPARTMENT.LONG MAY SHE REIGN TAMIKA SPENCE
ANOTHER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, UH, FOR LIEUTENANT JANE PACIFICO THAT I DON'T THINK SHE'S HERE.
UH, SHE'S DEALING WITH SOME FAMILY MATTERS.
UH, JANE, CONGRATULATIONS ON ACHIEVING 20 YEARS AT A PD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP YOU PROVIDED AT A PD.
YOUR DEDICATION AND PASSION FOR YOUR WORK MAKE YOU THE SUCCESS THAT YOU ARE.
I MET A LOT OF PEOPLE AT 20 YEARS, SO, UH, WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE BRADLEY PARKS.
DETECTIVE PARKS BRINGS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO THE HOMICIDE UNIT.
HE IS WELL-RESPECTED DETECTIVE AND BRINGS PASSION, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO THE UNIT DAILY.
HIS WORTH, ETHIC AND PROFESSIONALISM REFLECT HIGHLY, NOT ONLY ON THE HOMICIDE UNIT, BUT ON THE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE.
CONGRATULATIONS BRAD BRADLEY, SERGEANT JEFF BISON.
DETECTIVE SCHMIDT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND CARE TO OUR CITIZENS.
SERGEANT JOSHUA BLAKE NOT HERE NOW AS WE MOVE INTO OUR 25 YEAR SERVICE AWARDS.
I'M NOT SURE IF I SAW, OH, SHE IS HERE.
UH, IT IS A TRUE PLEASURE WORKING WITH MARY CONTRERAS IN COLLABORATION WITH PATROL.
SHE COORDINATES OUR STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHWAY ENFORCEMENT GRANTS ENSURING THAT OFFICER TIME IS COMPENSATED, DATA IS TRACKED AND GRANT PAPERWORK IS SUBMITTED.
MARY ALSO ASSISTS WITH THE SUBMISSION OF AUTO THEFT GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTES TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL PROJECTS.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR HER TIME AND COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
THANKS M AND CONGRATULATIONS ON 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, KAREN FITZGERALD.
AND I HAD THE HONOR OF WORKING WITH HER IN HIGHWAY ENFORCEMENT.
IN FACT, I WAS ON HER HIRING BOARD AND SHE JUST TREMENDOUS ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT.
SERGEANT HARPER IS AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT.
HIS KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND LEADERSHIP ARE SECOND TO NONE WHEN IT COMES TO HIS DUTIES.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 25 YEARS WITH LIEUTENANT WILL WHITE HIGH WAVE FORCEMENT COMMAND.
AND I JUST WANT TO CHIME INTO IT WAS BEEN SUCH HONOR WHEN I WAS OVER IN HIGHWAY TO RIDE WITH YOU.
UM, TELL A QUICK LITTLE SIDE NOTE.
WE, UH, WE WERE ESCORTING ONE OF OUR FOLLOWING, TONY MARTIN TO HIS FINAL RESTING PLACE OUT IN ABILENE.
AND WE HAD TO BE THERE AT 1:00 PM SO THAT WAY THE CITY OF ABILENE WOULD PICK UP THE ESCORT.
WOULD WE HAVE SOME 40 VEHICLES, 45 VEHICLES THAT WE WERE ESCORTING ALL THE WAY OUT THERE FROM AUSTIN WHEN WE HIT CITY LIMITS.
AND I JUST LOOKED AT PAUL AND I SAID, HOW DID YOU DO THIS? I MEAN, IT WAS AMAZING, AMAZING.
25 YEARS OF SERVICE FOR THE OTHER LUGER ROBERT LUGER.
I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH SERGEANT ROBERT LUGER FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
HIS DEDICATION TO DEPARTMENT AND HIS TEAM IS ADMIRABLE AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF ASSIGNMENT IS UNSURPASSED.
I KNOW I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON HIM TO HANDLE BUSINESS WITH COURTESY, COMMON SENSE AND GOOD JUDGMENT.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 25 YEARS.
LIEUTENANT WILL WHITE HIGHWAY ENFORCEMENT COMMAND.
AND I DON'T SEE ERIC MCDONALD.
DETECTIVE MCDONALD'S AN EXCELLENT DETECTIVE AND HAS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE IN HIS VERY ADMIRABLE SERGEANT MOORE.
25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO KEN MURPHY.
UH, CONGRATULATIONS TO LIEUTENANT MURPHY ON 25 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND DEDICATION
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TO A PD AND THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN.LIEUTENANT MURPHY IS NOT ONLY A RESPECTED LEADER, BUT A TRUSTED MENTOR TO HIS TEAMS WHO HOLD HIM IN THE HIGHEST REGARD.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR HIS ENDURING IMPACT ON THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY COMMANDER CURTIS KRAUSE.
ANOTHER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE FOR ADAM SOLIS.
HE WAS IN STAFF THIS MORNING AND DID HE NOT SHOW UP? SO OFFICER ALIS UH, STARTED HIS CAREER WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN 1999 WHEN HE WAS HIRED BY THE AUSTIN PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT AS AN OFFICER.
HE REMAINED THERE UNTIL 2009 WHEN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT ABSORBED THE PARK POLICE AS WELL AS AIRPORT POLICE AND CITY MARSHALS.
HE CONTINUED WORKING IN A PARK POLICE CAPACITY UNTIL 2010 WHEN HE WAS ASSIGNED TO PATROL ON THE ADAM 300 EVENING SHIFT.
AND IN 2012, MOVING TO A DAY SHIFT WITH THE ADAM TWO HUNDREDS, OFFICER SLI MOVED TO HIS CURRENT ASSIGNMENT WITH THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE UNIT IN 2014.
OFFICER SLI CONTINUES TO ENJOY HIS POSITION AS A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER.
SERGEANT JASON HUSKINS ANOTHER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO WILLIAM WELCH.
WILLIAM HAS PROVIDED 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND EXPERTISE IN THE FIELD OF CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION.
OVER THE YEARS, HE HAS MENTORED COUNTLESS CRIME SCENE EMPLOYEES NAVIGATED COMPLEX CRIME SCENES AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE CONTINUAL GROWTH OF THE SECTION.
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE ELEVATED THE DEPARTMENT AND MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.
NOW THE BIG ONES, THE PROMOTION HONOREES.
IF YOU'RE HERE TO DO YOUR PROMOTION, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND START LINING UP ON THE TO MY LEFT.
WE'RE GONNA START WITH KAREN HEBE.
JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING KAREN ON PROMOTION TO NEIGHBORHOOD LIAISON.
KAREN'S PASSION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND DEDICATION IS EVIDENT.
HER HARD WORK AND ATTENTION TO T DETAIL SHOW IN EVERY COMMUNITY INTERACTION.
CONGRATULATIONS LER, ANOTHER PROMOTION HONOREE MICHAEL JACKSON.
MIKE HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT SINCE FEBRUARY, 2022 WHEN HE MOVED FROM CHICAGO DURING HIS TIME AT THE DEPARTMENT.
HE HAS WORKED AS A CRISIS COUNSELOR OF VICTIM SERVICES AND WAS RECENTLY PROMOTED TO LEAD COUNSELOR WITHIN THE CRISIS UNIT.
MIKE HAS AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN MENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORTING CRIME VICTIMS AND CAN BRING THAT KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE TO HIS COLLEAGUES.
MIKE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HIS HOURS TO BECOME AN LPC AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE FUTURE BRINGS HIM.
WANNA CONGRATULATE OZZIE CROW? BATCH OZZY HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB JUGGLING MANY DIFFERENT ROLES HERE AT A PD FOR SO LONG IS A FINE TIME.
SHE'S OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AND REWARDED FOR HER WORK.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND KEEP GROWING YOUR AMAZING TEAM.
ASSISTANT CHIEF JEFF GREENWALT WAY TO GET MIKE KUGEL.
WE ARE HERE TO HONOR MIKE FOR HIS PROMOTION.
MIKE RECENTLY JOINED CRIME SCENE AS A PROPERTY CRIME TECHNICIAN AFTER SPENDING SEVEN YEARS AS A FINGERPRINT TECHNICIAN WITHIN THE A PD ID SECTION.
HIS FORMER SUPERVISORS SPEAK HIGHLY OF HIM AND ARE PLEASED WITH HIS PROMOTION IN THE FORENSICS FIELD.
IN ADDITION TO HIS A PD EXPERIENCE, MICHAEL HAS WORKED AT THE TEXAS DPS AND HAS EXPERTISE IN LATENT PRINT PROCESSING WITH AMERICAN SYSTEMS INCLUDING IEDS PROCESSING HIS NEW PEERS WILL BENEFIT FROM HIS KNOWLEDGE AND CRIME SCENE.
IS EXCITED TO WELCOME WARREN HELD CRIME SCENE SUPERVISOR AM RINGLE.
AMIRA RINGLE STARTED A CAREER AS A PROPERTY CRIME TECHNICIAN IN THE SUMMER OF 2023.
DURING THAT TIME, SHE HAS INVESTIGATED NUMEROUS BURGLARIES AND AUTO THEFTS AND HAS DISPLAYED TOUGHNESS AND PROFICIENCY IN THE FIELD.
SHE WAS LEAST RECENTLY PROMOTED TO CRIME SCENE SPECIALIST AND HAS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, HAVING INVOLVEMENT IN A FULL ARRAY OF VIOLENT CRIME INVESTIGATIONS.
SHE HAS BEEN A WELCOME ADDITION TO THE UNIT AND WE EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM HER GOING FORWARD.
WILLIAM WELCH CRIME SCENE SUPERVISOR,
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ANGELINA RES LUHAN.CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WELL DESERVED PROMOTION TO ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE TO EVIE.
YOU'RE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION NOT IN VAIN.
YOU'RE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE TEAM AND I WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS IN YOUR NEW ROLE.
ISHA COLLIER FINANCIAL MANAGER TOO.
ZENA JOINED OUR DEPARTMENT IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR AND IS EAGER TO LEARN HER NEW ROLE AS POLICE DISPATCHER.
SHE'S MOTIVATED TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN AND WILL BE EXCELLENT AT SUPPORTING OUR PATROL UNITS IN THE FIELD.
CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
CONNIE SCHOEN FIELD E-COMM TRAINING SUPERVISOR.
CONGRATULATIONS CARIS WADE CARIS IS A KINDHEARTED AND DRIVEN PERSON AND HAS A GREAT RAPPORT WITH HER WORKMATES.
SHE'S ALWAYS WILLING TO LEARN MORE AND WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY THAT KNOWLEDGE AS SHE GROWS IN HER CURRENT ROLE.
SHE'S A GREAT ADDITION TO OUR TEAM, STEPHAN KEY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISOR.
POLICE RECORDS NOW PROMOTING TO DETECTIVE MARK BOZI.
UH, DETECTIVE BOZI IS AN EXCELLENT DETECTIVE AND IS A VALUE MEMBER OF THE TEAM.
SERGEANT MOORE, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROMOTION.
PROMOTION FOR MICHAEL CASTILLO.
DETECTIVE CASTILLO HAS ALREADY MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HIGHWAY ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS UNIT.
HE IS HIGHLY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN SELF-MOTIVATED.
DETECTIVE CASTILLO IS EAGER TO VOLUNTEER AND HAS DEMONSTRATED HE'S A COMPLETE TEAM PLAYER.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING DETECTIVE CASTILLO ON BOARD WITH OUR TEAM AND CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS PROMOTION.
SERGEANT ROBERT LUGER AND I KNOW HIS DAD'S HERE.
I HAD HONOR WORKING WITH HIS DAD WHEN HE WAS ON MOTORS WAY BACK WHEN.
CONGRATULATIONS, MATTHEW HENON.
SINCE PROMOTING TO RISK TEAM THREE, DETECTIVE HEON HAS ALREADY DEMONSTRATED THAT HE'S AN ASSET TO THE TEAM AND TO THE DEPARTMENT.
HE HAS A STRONG WORK ETHIC AND A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
HE HAS DEMONSTRATED STRONG LEADERSHIP IN MANAGING CRIME SCENES AND LEADING ON SCENE INVESTIGATIONS.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROMOTION.
DE DETECTIVE HENON SERGEANT ERIC COPELAND.
HE'S PROMOTING TO DETECTIVE CORPORAL.
OFFICER HAMES RA WAS AN ASSET TO THE SHIFT AND HE WILL BE MISSED.
SERGEANT JARED JORDAN, JAMES LOOKER.
DETECTIVE LOOKER IS NEW TO THE UNIT AND EAGER TO LEARN.
HE REALLY TAKES ON HIS NEW ASSIGNMENTS AND IS ALWAYS WILLING TO ASSIST WHEREVER NEEDED.
HIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND ENTHUSIASM MAKE A VALUABLE ADDITION TO THE TEAM SERGEANT NATHAN BOSWORTH.
KEVIN ROWING, POLICE DETECTIVE RISK TEAM THREE.
SINCE PROMOTING TO RISK UNIT, DETECTIVE RA HAS DEMONSTRATED A STRONG WORK ETHIC, ETHIC AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
HE SELF ASSIGNS TO THE VIOLENT CRIME CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT THE UNIT ROUTINELY HELPS INVESTIGATE AND IS PROACTIVE IN SEEKING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL.
SCOTTY TATUM, WHO'S ALSO ON THE ONE OF THE RISK TEAMS. DETECTIVE TATUM IS AN EXCELLENT DETECTIVE AND A VALUE MEMBER OF THE TEAM.
SERGEANT MOORE, BLAKE ZIMMERMAN, ANOTHER ONE THAT WENT TO THE RISK UNIT.
DETECTIVE ZIMMERMAN HAS BEEN A GREAT ADDITION TO THE RISK UNIT.
HE'S EAGER TO LEARN AND TO TAKE ON NEW CHALLENGES.
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ATTITUDE AND IT IS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH SERGEANT NATHAN BOSWORTH.FIRST I WANT TO HONOR, UH, ERIC COPELAND, PLEASE.
SERGEANT COPELAND HAS BEEN HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE AS A SERGEANT.
HE HAS VOLUNTEERED FOR A CHALLENGING POSITION, IS ALWAYS READY TO EXCEL.
HE GOES OUT OF HIS WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT HE'S FULLY COMPETENT IN ALL REQUIRED DUTIES AND HAS DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP THAT IS INDICATIVE OF SOMEONE WITH MUCH MORE EXPERIENCE.
FORTUNATE TO HAVE HIM IN OUR UNIT AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM.
DANA O'NEILL, POLICE SERGEANT RISK TEAM TWO.
DANA IS A HARDWORKING MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT WHO'S COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
HE DOES NOT SHY AWAY FROM DIFFICULT TASKS AND OTHERS FREQUENTLY LOOK TO HIM FOR GUIDANCE ON COMPLICATED SCENES.
HE'LL BE A STRONG LEADER AND ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT AS A SERGEANT.
I HAD HONOR OF WORKING WITH DONNY OVER IN HIGH ENFORCEMENT AFTER SCORING NUMBER ONE ON HIS SERGEANT EXAMS. SERGEANT PETTUS IS NOW, UH, WITH THE EDWARDS SEVEN HUNDREDS PATROL AS A SERGEANT FOR NORTHEAST AREA PATROL.
HE BRINGS A WEALTH OF VALUABLE EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE TO HIS NEW SHIFT.
HIS NEW TEAM WHEN UNDOUBTEDLY BENEFIT FROM HIS GUIDANCE AND STEADFAST LEADERSHIP TORN LIEUTENANT GEORGE SYLVIA.
AND FOR THOSE KNOWS, SERGEANT IS THE RANK YOU WANT TO BE.
YOU KNOW SERGEANT'S THE BEST RANK IN THE DEPARTMENT.
YOU GOING TO COME AROUND AND SHIRLEY SANDERS SHIRLEY.
YOU GUYS GONNA COME UP? SO THEY WERE NOMINATED BY ROB MCGRATH, UH, RECENTLY RETIRED POLICE, OAPD OFFICER JEFF SUMNER AND APDS ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING MANAGER SHIRLEY SANDERS HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL FOR SERVICE TO TRULY LIVE UP TO THE DEPARTMENT'S MISSION OF TRAINING THE FINEST POLICE OFFICERS IN THE NATION.
OFFICER SUMNER HAD THE IDEA OF MAKING A COLLEGE DEGREE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THOSE OFFICERS WHO SERVE IN A PD.
HE SHARED HIS VISION WITH MS. SANDERS AND TOGETHER THEY BEGAN WORKING TO MAKE THIS VISION A REALITY.
ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 2ND, 2024, AFTER MONTHS OF COLLABORATION, A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TEXAS A AND M COMMERCE TO ESTABLISH A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY, WHICH OFFERS OUR EXISTING FULL-TIME WORKING POLICE OFFICERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE AT THEIR OWN PACE WITH ALL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES COVERED THIS EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT ON THE BEHALF OF OFFICER SUMNER.
AND MS. SANDERS NOT ONLY PROVIDES A PD OFFICERS WITH INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, WHILE MAKING IT REASONABLE, MANAGEABLE AND ATTAINABLE, BUT FOR ALL FUTURE OFFICERS AS A RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE TO JOIN A PD IN PROTECTING AND SERVING THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THEIR EFFORTS IS BEYOND MEASURE AND THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR LEVEL OF PASSION, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO A PD FAMILY.
THIS AWARD IS FOR SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
I'M ONE OF THE ASSISTANT CHIEFS HERE AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD THE, UH, THE PLEASURE OF ACCIDENTALLY BUMPING INTO JESSICA IN HER OFFICE.
AND, UH, SINCE THEN SHE HAS STOOD UP THE BEACON PROGRAM, WHICH I'M GONNA READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT.
IN 2023, A PD CRIME ANALYST JESSICA SUMRALL, APPROACHED A PD LEADERSHIP ABOUT THE ISSUES WE WERE HAVING WITH RECRUITMENT.
SHE PRESENTED AN IDEA THAT A PD CAN BETTER ENGAGE WITH THE FOSTER YOUTH IN OUR AREA TO BETTER BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND RECRUITMENT FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT.
WITHIN WEEKS OF THIS INITIAL CONVERSATION, SHE WAS ON THE FIFTH FLOOR PRESENTING A POWERPOINT TO EXECUTIVE STAFF WHERE SHE OUTLINED THE POOR STA STATISTICS FACED WITH FOSTER YOUTH AS THEY AGE OUTTA THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND ENTER INTO ADULTHOOD.
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SHE PROPOSED THAT WE STAND UP A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM AT A PD AIMED AT INTENTIONALLY ENGAGING WITH FOSTER YOUTH WHO ARE AGING OUT AND ENTERING INTO THE ADULT WORLD.THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE TO HOST POSITIVE INTERACTIONS WITH FOSTER YOUTH AND POLICE SO THAT WE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER'S PERSPECTIVES.
EDUCATE THE YOUTH AS TO HOW TO SAFELY INTERACT WITH POLICE IN THE REAL WORLD AND TO CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
SHE NAMED THE PROGRAM BEACON, WHICH STANDS FOR BUILDING ENCOURAGEMENT AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES.
NOW OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, SHE'S HOSTED SEVERAL EVENTS WITH SEVERAL POSITIVE INTERACTIONS AND LOTS OF FEEDBACK.
SHE'S CHANGED THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF MANY YOUTH WHO DIDN'T KNOW OR HAD NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS WITH POLICE TO ACTUALLY BEING INTERESTED IN PURSUING OPPORTUNITIES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AND WE HAVE TWO CURRENT APPLICANTS AT A PD BECAUSE OF THE PROGRAM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION.
AND I KNOW WE HAVE ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS HERE.
IT'S, UH, OFFICER CAROLINA BEES AND OFFICER GABRIEL ESCAMILLA.
THEY WERE BEING NOMINATED BY THEIR SERGEANT BRIAN PREY.
THESE OFFICERS ARE BEING RECOGNIZED FOR ACTIONS ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 DURING A CALL INVOLVING A DISTRESS INDIVIDUAL AT RISK OF JUMPING FROM AN OVERPASS OFFICER BE ARRIVED FIRST AND FOUND A MAN SITTING ON THE EDGE OF THE FLYOVER.
DESPITE COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES DUE TO NOISE AND WIND, OFFICER BENAVIDEZ SUCCESSFULLY GAINED HIS ATTENTION, ENCOURAGED HIM TO MOVE TOWARD HER, KEEPING HIM ENGAGED AS HE APPEARED TO CONTEMPLATE JUMPING MULTIPLE TIMES.
WHEN OFFICER ESCAMILLA ARRIVED, HE CONTINUED COMMUNICATING WITH THE CITIZEN, ULTIMATELY CONVINCING HIM TO EXTEND HIS HAND SO OFFICER ESCAMILLA COULD HELP GUIDE HIM SAFELY OVER THE BARRIER AND INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY.
HE WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO SETON NORTHWEST FOR FURTHER CARE.
THE OFFICER'S QUICK THINKING, TACTICAL POSITION, AND PERSUASIVE PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION PREVENTED A LIKELY SUICIDE DEMONSTRATING THEIR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION.
OFFICER JULIAN GABARD, SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION ON MAY 16TH, OFFICER GABARD RESPONDED TO A JUVENILE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
HE TRANSPORTED THE YOUNG WOMAN TO HER NEARBY SCHOOL AND ENGAGED WITH SCHOOL COUNSELOR, STAFF AND EXTERNAL PROVIDERS TO GATHER IMPORTANT INSIGHTS.
DESPITE RESISTANCE FROM THE FAMILY WHO HAD PRIOR NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND OPPOSED HIS INVOLVEMENT, OFFICER GABARD AVOIDED ESCALATION.
HE ALLOWED OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO HELP EXPLAIN THE URGENT NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL CARE, PRIORITIZING, DEESCALATION AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION.
WHEN SERGEANT TRAU ARRIVED, HE OBSERVED OFFICER GABARD PATIENT AND THOUGHTFULLY HANDLING OF THE, HIS THOUGHTFUL HANDLING OF THE SITUATION, WHICH EARNED PRAISE FROM SCHOOL STAFF.
GR BARD'S EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING AND COMMITMENT TO RESPECTFUL NEGOTIATION LED TO A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION.
CITING A POSITIVE EXAMPLE FOR A NEW OFFICER.
UNDER HIS TRAINING, HIS ACTIONS WERE DEEMED COMMENDABLE AND REFLECTIVE OF HIS PEER SERVICE.
UH, COMMANDER JOBES IS NOT HERE FOR THIS ONE.
SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION FOR OFFICERS.
BAIN, OFFICER BRIAN BUSTOS, OFFICER JOSHUA KO.
OFFICER COLIN GUZMAN, MAYA BOWRY CALL TAKER.
AND I KNOW GINA'S HERE 'CAUSE WE TALKED OUT IN THE LOBBY.
ON JUNE 5TH, 2024, OFFICERS RESPONDED TO AN URGENT 9 1 1 TEXT FROM A WOMAN REPORTING ABUSE AND REQUESTING HELP.
OFFICER RABAN REVIEWED THE CALL HISTORY, IDENTIFIED PRIOR DISTURBANCES INVOLVING THE VICTIM AND POTENTIAL SUSPECT.
HE AND OFFICER BUSO ARRIVED AT THE APARTMENT FINDING THE FRONT DOOR BREACHED, BUT THE APARTMENT EMPTY.
DISPATCH THEN INFORMED THEM THAT THE VICTIM WAS TEXTING 9 1 1 UPDATES SHOWING HER LOCATION MOVING EASTBOUND ON STASSY LANE TOWARDS IH 35 ADDITIONAL OFFICERS, UH, KCO AND GOSMAN WERE DISPATCHED.
CALLED TAKER, UH, BOWRY WERE RELAYED REALTIME UPDATES WITH THE VICTIM MODEL
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DISPATCHER LOW PROVIDED OFFICERS WITH RECENT LOCATION DATA AND INFORMATIONAL POSSIBLE SUSPECT.VEHICLE OFFICER BUSTAS ULTIMATELY LOCATED THE SUSPECT VEHICLE BEHIND AN HEB STORE AND ALONG WITH OFFICERS RAD VAN GUZMAN KACO CONDUCTED A FELONY STOP APPREHENDING THE SUSPECT.
HE WAS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY OF A RESIDENCE, ASSAULT WITH INJURY, FAMILY VIOLENCE, THE TEAMWORK AND CRIS QUICK RESPONSE FROM THE OFFICER'S CALL TAKER.
BOWRY AND DISPATCHER LOWE ENSURED THE VICTIM'S SAFETY AND LED TO THE SUSPECT'S ARREST.
THEIR ACTIONS WERE DEEMED COMMENDABLE AND REFLECTIVE OF SUPERIOR SERVICE COMMANDER JAMIE JOBS.
ANOTHER SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION FOR OFFICER CURTIS PANDO AND VICTIM SERVICES, CODY MITCHELL.
THEY WERE NOMINATED BY CORPORAL JUSTIN FLANNERY.
ON JUNE 18TH, 2024, OFFICER PANDO RESPONDED TO A DISTURBANCE CALL ON RUTLEDGE SPUR.
UPON ARRIVAL, OFFICER PANDO MET WITH THE COMPLAINANT, A MOTHER OF THREE WHO HAD BEEN DISPLACED FROM HER DEPART HER APARTMENT.
THE MOTHER EXPLAINED THAT SHE HAD BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE BY THE RESIDENT WHO WAS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH EPISODE AND NO LONGER FELT THE ENVIRONMENT WAS SAFE FOR HER FAMILY.
OFFICER PANDO AND VICTIM SERVICES COUNSELOR, CODY MITCHELL CONTACTED THE HOST TEAM TO SEEK TEMPORARY HOUSING SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY.
UNFORTUNATELY, HOST WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE FAMILY DID NOT RESIDE WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT DETERMINED TO PROVIDE HELP.
OFFICER PANDO AND COUNSELOR MITCHELL PERSONALLY FUNDED A HOTEL STAY FOR THE FAMILY TO NEARBY EXTENDED STAY HOTEL.
THROUGH THEIR QUICK ACTION AND PERSONAL DEDICATION, OFFICER PANDO AND COUNCILLOR MITCHELL PROVIDED THIS FAMILY WITH A SAFE PLACE TO STAY GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND WHEN NO OTHER RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE.
THAT'S TRULY OUTSTANDING SUPERIOR SERVICE.
CITATION FOR CORPORAL JUSTIN FLANNERY AND OFFICER JASON KOONS.
NOMINATED BY SERGEANT BRIAN PERI, A MOTHER CONCERN FOR HER DAUGHTER'S SAFETY.
APPROACHED OFFICERS AT THE NORTH SUBSTATION AFTER RECEIVING A DISTRESS EMAIL FROM HER DAUGHTER WHO CLAIMED TO BE HELD AGAINST HER WILL BY HER FIANCE.
THE DAUGHTER WARNED THAT SHE WOULD BE HARMED IF POLICE INTERVENE DESPITE NO INITIAL EVIDENCE OF A DISTURBANCE.
OFFICERS MAINTAINED CONTACT WITH THE DAUGHTER WHO APPEARED TO COMMUNICATE LY IMPLYING DANGER WHILE ON CALL WITH THEIR FIANCE.
PRESENT OFFICERS BECAME INCREASINGLY CONCERNED DEVELOPING A RESPONSE PLAN AND REQUESTING THAT SHE AND HER FIANCEE STEP OUTSIDE THE VICTIMIZED DAUGHTER VISIBLY FRIGHTENED AND ARMED FOR PROTECTION.
DISCLOSED THAT SHE HAD BEEN DETAINED, ASSAULTED, AND THREATENED BY HER FIANCE.
THOUGH HE WAS INITIALLY RELEASED, OFFICERS CONTINUED THEIR INVESTIGATION THE NEXT DAY.
SHE REPORTED THAT SHE HAD RETURNED HOME AND BEEN ASSAULTED FURTHER, BUT MANAGED TO ESCAPE WHILE HE SLEPT.
WITH DETAILED INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE VICTIM, SERVICES FROM THE VICTIM AND HER FAMILY OFFICER SECURED WARRANTS FOR THE FIANCE'S ARREST, ULTIMATELY INVOLVING THE SWAT TEAM FOR HIS CAPTURE.
DUE TO HIS KNOWN POSSESSION OF FIREARMS EVIDENCE INCLUDING FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION WERE RECOVERED, THE VICTIM RELO RELOCATED FOR HER SAFETY.
THESE OFFICERS, PARTICULARLY, PARTICULARLY OFFICER KOONS AND CORPORAL FLANNERY, ARE COMMENDED FOR THEIR EMPATHY, COMMITMENT AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION LEADING TO MULTIPLE CHARGES AGAINST THE FIANCE, INCLUDING AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING AND ASSAULT.
THIS CASE IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED FOR POTENTIAL SEXUAL ASSAULT WITH CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIM AND HER FAMILY.
WHERE'S LIEUTENANT WHITE
DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES, THE MOTORS AUXILIARY UNIT,
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MAU WAS ESTABLISHED.THIS UNIT OVERSEEN BY SERGEANT HARPER COMPROMISES FORMER MOTOR UNIT OFFICERS, REASSIGNED TO OTHER UNITS WHO NOW PROVIDE MOTORCYCLE SUPPORT AS NEEDED.
UNLIKE BEFORE SERGEANT HARPER FACES THE ADDED CHALLENGE OF COORDINATING MAU OPERATIONS AROUND THE OFFICER'S PRIMARY ASSIGNMENTS, MAKING SCHEDULING AND PLANNING FOR EVENTS LIKE PROTESTS, ESCORTS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS.
MORE COMPLEX SERGEANT HARPER'S CAPABILITIES WERE TESTED DURING MAJOR EVENTS IN NOVEMBER, 2023, STARTING WITH THE LINE OF DUTY, DEATH OF OFFICER, JORGE PASTOR AND THE LOSSES OF OFFICER TRAN AND RETIRED OFFICER RAY STO HARPER, SERGEANT HARPER AND STEVE WILLIS COORDINATED ALL THREE FUNERAL ESCORTS, HANDLING THE IMMENSE LOGISTICAL, LOGISTICAL DEMANDS WITH PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALISM FOR WHICH THEY RECEIVED WIDESPREAD COMMENDATION.
IN JULY, 2024, SERGEANT HARPER WAS ALSO TASKED WITH MANAGING TWO HIGH STAKES EVENTS, COORDINATING THE PRESIDENTIAL MOTORCADE ESCORT FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S PLAN VISIT TO AUSTIN.
THE FIRST WAS CANCELED LAST MINUTE, BUT WHEN A SECOND SHORTER NOTICE VISIT WAS ANNOUNCED LATER IN JULY, HARPER WORKED TIRELESSLY TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL EVENT.
DESPITE MINIMAL PREPARATION TIME, SERGEANT HARPER'S DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL TO INSTRUMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE MAU.
HIS EXCEPTIONAL PROBLEM SOLVING AND COMMITMENT TO SERVICE HAVE EARNED HIM RECOGNITION, MAKING HIM A DESERVING CANDIDATE FOR THE SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION, SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION.
AND I THINK WE MAY HAVE SOME MEMBERS HERE.
UH, ROBIS ARGUETA, BROOKE BLACKWELL, RICHARD CASTRO, CATHERINE ZE, CHRIS CROCKETT, ALICIA FERNANDEZ, ERIC GARZA, JANE GIBBONS, UH, JOSIE HANEY, DETECTIVE WESLEY HOOD IES RUSSELL KASSARK, DETECTIVE JARED MANNING.
DETECTIVE DAVID MARTIN DEANNA MORALES, SERGEANT CHRISTINA OLDHAM, MARY PERES, VIRGINIA PROPHET DANIEL SEIFERT AND LUCIANA VEGA.
SERGEANT OLDHAM, ALONG WITH DEANNA MORALES AND ROBA ERTA, UH, IDENTIFIED AND TACKLED A SIGNIFICANT BACKLOG OF OVER 1.4 MILLION EVIDENCE ITEMS IN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT STORAGE SINCE JUNE, 2022.
THEY DEVELOPED A SYSTEMATIC PLAN INVOLVING MONTHLY EXCEL LIST TO INVESTIGATE SUPERVI TWO INVESTIGATIVE SUPERVISORS FOR EVIDENCE DISPOSAL REVIEW CREATED TEMPLATES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS IN VERSE DECK FOR EFFICIENT PROCESSING.
THEY ALSO ADVOCATED FOR AND SECURED TEMPORARY HELP FROM THREE RETIRED DETECTIVES, DAVID MARTIN, WES HOOD, AND JARED MANNING TO MANAGE HIGH VOLUMES OF THE EVIDENCE REVIEW.
THE TEAM'S EFFORTS HAVE LED TO SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN THE EVIDENCE DISPOSAL PROJECT WITH THOUSANDS OF CASES REVIEWED AND AUTHORIZED FOR DISPOSAL AND 24,825 ITEMS DISPOSED OF SINCE JANUARY OF 2024.
THEY'RE NOW WORKING TO AUTOMATE THE PROCESS FOR FURTHER EFFICIENCY.
THEIR DEDICATION EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING, QUALIFY THEM FOR THE SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION, RECOGNIZING THEIR IMPACT, IMPACTFUL SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO OPTIMIZING EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT.
LIEUTENANT PATRICK EASTLAKE AND THANK YOU.
THIS IS SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION FOR AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT UNIT.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CREATED SIGNIFICANT STAFFING CHALLENGES FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT LEADING TO CRITICAL UNITS FALLING BEHIND ON ESSENTIAL TASKS WHICH IMPACTED AUSTIN EMPLOYEES, RESIDENTS, AND VISITORS.
THE COMMUNICATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES UNIT WERE ESPECIALLY AFFECTED RESULTING IN ISSUES SUCH AS DELAYED EMPLOYEE PAYMENTS, UNADDRESSED CRIME REPORTS, BOTH OF WHICH UNDERMINED PUBLIC SAFETY.
IN RESPONSE, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT UNITS STEPPED UP IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021 TO ASSIST BY HANDLING CRIMINAL REPORTS OVER THE PHONE.
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A RESPONSIBILITY THEY MAINTAINED UNTIL NOVEMBER OF 2022 WITH MANY EMPLOYEES STILL WORKING OVERTIME TO CONTINUE THIS SERVICE.THE UNIT ALSO TOOK ON THE TASK OF ENTERING OVERTIME HOURS FOR SWORN EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE TIMELY PAYMENTS.
WITHOUT THEIR EFFORTS, CITIZENS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE TIMELY REPORTS AND EMPLOYEES WOULD'VE BEEN FACED ONGOING PAY DELAYS.
EVERY MEMBER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT UNIT CARRIED OUT THESE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION.
THEIR COMMITMENT ALIGNS WITH SUPERIOR SERVICE CITATION CRITERIA UNDER 9 22 0.58, WHICH RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR DUTIES TO DELIVER QUALITY, CARING SERVICE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND DEPARTMENT.
THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN ESSENTIAL IN KEEPING THE DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONING AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY EFFECTIVELY FROM SEPTEMBER, 2021 TO THE PRESENT, LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER ULA.
AND JUST TO TELL YOU THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATED YOU BECAUSE WHEN WE CLOSED DOWN IN 2020, ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO, IT WAS INVALUABLE BECAUSE IT WAS, IT WAS JUST, IT WAS HARD BEING THERE ALONE IN SOME OF THE BUILDINGS TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR, YOUR SUPPORT.
UH, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY ABOUT, UH, SOME OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE PEOPLE I'VE HAD THE HONOR TO WORK WITH AND SUPERVISE AT A PD.
ON DECEMBER 28TH, 2023 OF OFFICERS JESSICA MARTINEZ, MATTHEW HENON, AND SHAY SAWYER FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TACTICAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT, HAVE EARNED THEM THE MEDAL OF VALOR.
THESE OFFICERS, ALONG WITH US MARSHAL'S, LONE STAR FUGITIVE TASK FORCE, WERE TASKED WITH LOCATING AND ARRESTING A REPEAT OFFENDER WANTED FOR AGGRAVATED ROBBERY AND BURGLARY.
DURING SURVEILLANCE, THE OFFICERS OBSERVED THE SUSPECT IN A GUNFIGHT WITH ANOTHER SUSPECT.
OFFICER MARTINEZ PROMPTLY ALERTED HER TEAM, ENABLING A COORDINATED RESPONSE TO STOP THE SHOOTING.
OFFICERS HEIAN AND MARTINEZ THEN
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SECURED THE SCENE AND PROVIDED LIFESAVING AID TO ONE OF THE SUSPECTS WHO HAD BEEN SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES, APPLYING TOURNIQUETS AND STABILIZING HIM.UNTIL THE EMS ARRIVED, OFFICER SAWYER PROTECTED CHILDREN PLAYING NEARBY BY MOVING THEM TO SAFETY.
DURING THE GUNFIRE, THE OFFICER'S QUICK RESPONSE, BRAVERY AND LIFESAVING ACTIONS PREVENTED FURTHER HARM AND DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE, INCLUDING THAT OF A DANGEROUS SUSPECT.
WE SALUTE THE BRAVERY AND COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE UNDER EXTREME DANGER.
LIFESAVING AWARD GOES TO OFFICER JESSE REED AND OFFICER ZACHARY VANDER WALK.
BOTH OF OUR DOWNTOWN OFFICERS, UH, THEY WERE NOMINATED BY THE SERGEANT DAVE SILVA ON AUGUST 4TH, 2024 AT 2:24 AM WHILE OFFICERS WERE ATTEMPTING TO REOPEN SIXTH STREET TO TRAFFIC, THEY HEARD GUNSHOTS NEAR SEVENTH AND TRINITY STREET OFFICERS, VANDER, WAL AND REED, ALONG WITH OTHERS, RESPONDED AND FOUND A VICTIM LINE IN THE STREET WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE FRONT OF HIS HEAD, BLEEDING HEAVILY AND STRUGGLING TO BREATHE.
OFFICER VANDER WAL APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE WOUND TO CONTROL THE BLEEDING.
WHILE OFFICER REED CONDUCTED A BODY SWEEP TO CHECK FOR ADDITIONAL INJURIES.
THEY THEN REPOSITIONED THE VICTIM TO AID HIS BREATHING UNTIL EMS ARRIVED, WHO TRANSPORTED HIM TO THE HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY? ON AUGUST 16TH, DETECTIVE BRANDON FARRELL CONFIRMED THAT THE VICTIM SURVIVED IS NOW ATTEMPTING TO COMMUNICATE THE SWIFT ACTIONS OF THE OFFICERS.
VANDER WALK AND REED LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO SAVING THE VICTIM'S LIFE.
AND THEY ARE BEING NOMINATED FOR THE AWARD FOR THEIR HEROIC EFFORTS.
THE PICTURES MAY BE A LITTLE DATED THOUGH.
AND HERE ANOTHER ONE FOR SERGEANT JOHN POPEL.
ON AUGUST 23RD, 20 2012, AROUND 3:19 AM OFFICER PELT RESPONDED TO A CRASH NEAR ROMBERG LANE.
A DARK SUV HAD EXITED I 35 AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH, HITTING A UTILITY POLE AND ROLLING MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A WOODED AREA.
WHEN OFFICER PELT ARRIVED, HE FOUND A BLACK LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ON FIRE WITH SEVERE DAMAGE FACING SOUTHBOUND.
THE DRIVER, WOMAN WAS ON THE GROUND WITH HER FEET STILL IN THE BURNING VEHICLE AND SHOWED EXTERNAL INJURIES.
NOTICING SHE WAS NOT MOVING IN IMMEDIATE DANGER.
OFFICER PELT GRABBED HER BY THE RIGHT ARM AND DRAGGED HER ROUGHLY 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY.
EMS ARRIVED AND TRANSPORTED HER TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE LATER RECOVERED AND SPOKE WITH OFFICERS.
OFFICERS PELT QUICK ACTION LIKELY SAVED HER LIFE AS A VEHICLE COULD HAVE EXPLODED AND THERE WERE LIVE POWER LINES NEARBY.
HE WAS HONORED BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, RECEIVED THEIR MEDAL OF HOUR, THOUGH HE WAS NEVER NOMINATED FOR THE LIFESAVING AWARD.
THIS NOMINATION AIMS TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS COURAGEOUS LIFESAVING ACTIONS.
RECOGNIZING THEM WITH THE LIFESAVING AWARD, LIEUTENANT GARY HYMAN.
ANOTHER LIFESAVING AWARD GOES OUT TO OFFICER BRITTANY HICKMAN, OFFICER JASON WRIGHT, OFFICER NATHAN MCCOLLUM, OFFICER NICHOLAS ARMSTRONG AND OFFICER KYLE MILLER.
ON AUGUST 10TH, 2024, AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO AN URGENT SUICIDE ATTEMPT AT AN APARTMENT IN ON CAMINA LACOSTA.
UPON ARRIVAL, THEY FOUND A MAN WITH SELF-INFLICTED NECK AND
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FACIAL LACERATIONS ACTIVELY BREATHE BLEEDING AS A FAMILY MEMBER'S ATTEMPTED TO STEM THE BLOOD FLOW.OFFICER HICKMAN WAS THE FIRST TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ARTERIAL WOUND.
WITH OFFICER WRIGHT RETRIEVING A MEDICAL BAG AND GUIDING THE USE O USE OF COMBAT GAUZE TO CONTROL BLEEDING.
THE VICTIM RESISTED AID REQUIRING OFFICERS ARMSTRONG MCCOLLUM AND MILLER TO RESTRAIN HIM FOR SAFETY.
DUE TO THE VICTIM'S AGITATION, EMS AND FIRE PERSONNEL COULD NOT TAKE OVER DIRECTLY AND INSTEAD GUIDED THE OFFICERS.
THE OFFICER'S EFFORTS REDUCED THE BLEEDING SIGNIFICANTLY DESPITE THE BIOHAZARD RISK THEY FACED.
MEDICAL STAFF AT DELL SETON MEDICAL CENTER LATER FOUND AN A RAZOR BLADE LODGED IN THE VICTIM'S THROAT.
CONTEMP COMPLICATING TREATMENT.
FURTHER, THE VICTIM WAS PLACED UNDER A POLICE OFFICER EMERGENCY DETENTION AND IS OF AUGUST 12TH.
HE WAS CURR TO BE ALIVE IN RECEIVING ONGOING TREATMENT.
OFFICER BORES WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE LIFESAVING EFFORTS OF OFFICER HICKMAN WRIGHT ARMSTRONG MCCOLLUM AT MILLER 9 MILLION FOR THE A PD LIFESAVING AWARD.
THEIR QUICK COORDINATED RESPONSE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING THE VICTIM'S LIFE, DEMONSTRATING EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION SKILL.
IT'S GONNA GO OUT TO OFFICER JOSEPH BLAT.
ON SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2024 AT 4:45 PM OFFICER BLATNER RESPONDED TO A CALL AT PEACHTREE APARTMENTS REGARDING A MALE SUSPECT VANDALIZING PROPERTY AND CAUSING A DISTURBANCE.
THE SUSPECT HAD A PRIOR CRIMINAL TRESPASS WARNING FOR THIS LOCATION.
UPON ARRIVAL, OFFICER BLATNER IDENTIFIED THE SUSPECT ATTEMPTED TO DETAIN HIM, BUT THE SUSPECT FLED ON FOOT DURING THE CHASE, OFFICER BLATNER ROLLED HIS ANKLE ON UNEVEN GROUND, YET CONTINUING PURSUING A SUSPECT THROUGH TRAFFIC ON EAST MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
AFTER THE CHASE WAS OVER AFTER A CHASE OVER HALF A MILE, OFFICER BLATTNER APPREHENDED THE SUSPECT NEAR THE CAPITOL, UH, MALL AREA.
SERGEANT MUIS ARRIVED TO ASSESS OFFICER BLATTNER, WHO WAS IN SEVERE PAIN AND UNABLE TO PUT WEIGHT ON HIS LEG.
THE SUSPECT WAS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL TRESPASS EVADING ARREST ON FOOT.
OFFICER BLATTER WAS LATER TAKEN TO DEL SETON HOSPITAL, WHERE MEDICAL STAFF DIAGNOSED A BROKEN FOOT AND A SPIRAL LEG FRACTURE RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT PAIN AND LONG-TERM IMPAIRMENT.
SERGEANT MUIS AND THE INITIAL COMPLAINANT COMMITTED OFFICER BLA FORS COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY, HIGHLIGHTING HIS PERSISTENCE AND APPREHENDING THE SUSPECT DESPITE HIS SERIOUS INJURIES.
SENATOR PETE KOVAC, PURPLE HEART GOES TO JODA LOPEZ.
I DIDN'T THINK I SAW JODA COME IN ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2002.
OFFICER AVITA LOPEZ THEN WITH THE CAREER CRIMINAL UNIT WAS INVOLVED IN A FOOT PURSUIT OF A WANTED FELON WHILE JUMPING FENCES IN THE PURSUIT.
OFFICER LOPEZ INJURED HER RIGHT KNEE, FORCING HER TO DISCONTINUE THE CHASE.
OTHER OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO CAPTURE THE SUSPECT WHILE OFFICER LOPEZ RECEIVED INITIAL TREATMENT FOR INJURY AT SOUTH AUSTIN HOSPITAL.
FOLLOWING THIS AN MRI REVEALED A TORN ACL.
AND ON DECEMBER, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2002, SHE UNDERWENT SURGERY TO TO REPAIR THE LIGAMENT.
OFFICER LOPEZ WAS OUTTA WORK FOR THREE MONTHS AND ON LIGHT, LIGHT DUTY FOR ANOTHER THREE TO THIS DAY, SHE EXPERIENCES DISCOMFORT AND RIGHT KNEE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO KNEEL DURING QUALIFICATION EXERCISES.
THIS NOMINATION IS BEING SUBMITTED 20 YEARS AFTER THE INCIDENT DUE TO OVERSIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE INJURY.
THROUGHOUT NEARLY 30 YEARS WITH A PD OFFICER LOPEZ REMAINED DEDICATED OFFICER OFTEN TAKING ON PATROL OVERTIME.
RECOGNIZING HER FOR THIS INCIDENT BEFORE RETIREMENT IN THE COMING YEARS IS A FITTING TRIBUTE TO HER DEDICATION AND RESILIENCE.
SERGEANT RICHARD BREMNER, LIEUTENANT WHITE.
IN AUGUST, 2021, DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT SUSPENDED THE MOTOR UNIT AND ESTABLISHED THE MOTORS AUXILIARY UNIT.
THE MAU ENLISTING FORMER MOTORS UNIT OFFICERS REASSIGNED TO NEW POSITIONS TO HELP WITH MOTORCYCLE BASED OPERATIONS.
THIS SHIFT CREATED CHALLENGES AS MAU SUPERVISORS, SERGEANT HARPER AND SERGEANT WILLIS NOW HAD TO CON, UH,
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COORDINATE OFFICERS WHO HELD OTHER PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES, MAKING EVENT PLANNING MORE COMPLEX AND TIME CONSUMING.ADDITIONALLY, OFFICERS THEMSELVES ALSO HAVE TO COORDINATE THEIR OWN SCHEDULES FOR TIME OFF TO HELP ASSIST WITH THESE EVENTS AS WELL.
THE MAU PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SEVERAL MAJOR EVENTS.
IN NOVEMBER, 2023, MAU COORDINATED FUNERAL ESCO ESCORTS FOR THE TRAGIC LOSSES OF OFFICER JORGE PASTOR, OFFICER CHRISTIE TRAN AND RETIRED OFFICER RAY STO HANDLING THE OPERATIONS PROFESSIONALLY AND RECEIVING DEPARTMENT WIDE PRAISE.
LATER IN JULY, 2024, THE MAU WAS TWICE TASKED WITH ESCORT DUTIES FOR A VISIT BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.
DESPITE CHALLENGES INCLUDING A LAST MINUTE CANCELLATION AND ANOTHER VISIT WITH MINIMAL NOTICE, THE M MA'S EFFICIENT HANDLING ARE WIDESPREAD.
MAU PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN ALL THESE EVENTS DEMONSTRATED OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE OF DUTY WHEN THE SERVICE DELIVERED CONTRIBUTED TO A HIGH DEGREE OF SUCCESS IN A COMPLICATED PROJECT OR TASK BY A UNIT.
FOR THAT, MAU IS DESERVING OF THE MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION.
THANK OH, OF WHO'S HERE? SO SERGEANT PAUL HARPER GOT OFFICER MARIO AQUINO.
SO, UH, O OR IS IT CORPORAL OR DETECTIVE? NO, ISRAEL GARCIA.
AND I THINK OFFICER LUD CASE IS THE LAST ONE THERE.
NOW WE'RE GONNA MOVE INTO THE 2024 STAR OF TEXAS AWARDS.
UH, THESE AWARDS, THEY'RE ACTUALLY NOMINATED AND PRESENTED, UH, BY THE GOVERNOR.
FIRST START WITH DETECTIVE JOSEPH STRU.
DETECTIVE JOSEPH STRU, A NATIVE TEXAN, A FORMER US MARINE FROM 2005 2009, HAS BEEN SERVING THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY SINCE JOINING A PD BACK IN 2011.
STARTING IN PATROL, HE ADVANCED TO SPECIALIZED ROLES INCLUDING CRIMINAL INTERDICTION UNIT AND CANINE AS AND A CANINE HANDLER.
WORKING WITH THIS DOG, ALAMO SINCE 2018 PROMOTED TO DETECTIVE IN 2021.
HE CURRENTLY SERVES ON A NARCOTICS CONSPIRACY TEAM AND IS ON THE PROMOTIONAL LIST FOR SERGEANT.
SUPPORTED BY HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER, DETECTIVE STRU EXEMPLIFIES DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM.
ON DECEMBER 5TH, 2023, WHILE WORKING A PATROL SHIFT, DETECTIVE STR RESPONDED TO A BURGLARY CALL ON AUSTRIA LOOP LINKED TO A VIOLENT RAMPAGE ACROSS US.
INVOL INVOLVING MULTIPLE SHOOTINGS OR MURDERS APPROACHING THE SCENE.
HE WAS AMBUSHED AND SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES BY THE SUSPECT, SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES.
DESPITE THIS, HE COURAGEOUSLY RETURNED FIRE, PROTECTING HIMSELF AND OTHERS.
DETECTIVE STRUTHERS BRAVERY AND TACTICAL SKILL WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN SUBDUING THE SUSPECT WHO LATER FLED BUT WAS APPREHENDED AFTER A PURSUIT.
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PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL OR PROVIDED LIFESAVING AID TO STRU WHO REQUIRED SURGERY FROM HIS INJURIES.HIS ACTIONS REFLECT EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE, INTEGRITY, AND DEDICATION TO DUTY, PROTECTING THE CVO IN THE FACE OF GRAVE DANGER.
ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2024, DETECTIVE STRU WAS PRESENTED WITH THE STAR TEXAS AWARD.
THIS AWARD WAS PRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT, STAR OF TEXAS AWARD HONOR, ALL TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS, AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
IN 2003, HOUSE BILL 1937 CREATED THE STAR OF TEXAS AWARDS TO HONOR AND COMMEMORATE SELECTED FIRST RESPONDERS WHO MADE PROFOUND COMMITMENTS WHILE PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES AS PEACE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS.
HOUSE BILL 1937, ALSO DESIGNATED SEPTEMBER 11TH OF EVERY YEAR AS TEXAS FIRST RESPONDERS DAY.
AND I KNOW, I THINK OUR YOUNG MAN IS HERE.
ON ON DECEMBER 3RD, 2023, OFFICER MENDOZA RESPONDED TO A CRASH ON THE 3000 BLOCK OF EAST STATE HIGHWAY 71 EASTBOUND SERVICE ROAD, WHILE MANAGING, MANAGING TRAFFIC AT THE SCENE.
A SPEEDING GRAY INFINITY SEDAN IGNORED THE ROAD CLOSURE, LOST CONTROL, AND STRUCK MENDOZA'S PATROL VEHICLE.
THE COLLISION PUSHED THE PATROL VEHICLE 25 FEET AND THREW OFFICER MENDOZA 50 FEET ONTO A SIDEWALK.
OFFICER MENDOZA SUFFERED MULTIPLE INJURIES, INCLUDING SEVERE DAMAGE TO BLOOD VESSELS IN HIS LEFT SHOULDER REQUIRING SURGERY, EMERGENCY SURGERY.
THE SURGERY WAS SUCCESSFUL, BUT OFFICER MENDOZA CONTINUES TO RECOVER THROUGH PHYSICAL THERAPY.
THE INFINITY DRIVER WAS ARRESTED FOR INTOXICATION, ASSAULT, FIRST DEGREE FELONY DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF INJURIES IN OFFICER MENDOZA'S ACTIVE DUTY STATUS DURING THE INCIDENT.
AND THIS ONE'S KIND OF PERSONAL TO ME, I'M SORRY IF I GET CHOKED UP.
UH, SPO ANTHONY, TONY MARTIN, UH, HAD THE, UH, HONOR PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH HIM IN THE HIGHWAY UNIT.
HE, UH, WAS ON OUR DWI UNIT, THEN TRANSFERRED TO MOTORS.
HE WAS A PERFECTIONIST AT EVERYTHING HE DID.
HIS WIFE WOULD TALK ABOUT, HE'D GET OUT ON A MOTORCYCLE AND JUST PRACTICE NONSTOP.
BUT PART OF THE THINGS ABOUT TONY THAT MAY GO UNNOTICED AS WE GO ON IS WHEN WE HAD OUR DWI UNIT, HE HAD THE SECOND MOST DWI ARREST IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
FROM HIS TIME ON THE DWI UNIT.
UH, ONE RECORD, AN INFORMAL RECORD TO PROBABLY ALWAYS STAND.
HE MADE FIVE DWI ARRESTS IN ONE NIGHT.
SO SPO ANTHONY, TONY MARTIN, AND TO WATCH SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2022, UH, RECOGNIZED BY GOVERNOR ABBOTT FOR MAKING ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE YOU HAVE GIVEN TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
KNOW THERE ARE A FEW HOPE IN MIND.
I GET UP HERE 'CAUSE THEY'RE ON PROMOTIONAL LIST, BUT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER.
RUSS BOLAND, DETECTIVE BOLAND'S RETIRE RETIREMENT MARKS THE END OF AN ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER DEFINED BY TIRELESS DEDICATION TO SOLVING CRIMES AND PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY.
HIS SHARP INSTINCTS AND RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF JUSTICE HAVE SET A STANDARD OF FOR EXCELLENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AS HE EMBARKS ON HIS NEW, THIS NEW CHAPTER, HE LEAVES A LEGACY OF INTEGRITY AND DEEP RESPECT FROM COLLEAGUES AND CITIZENS ALIKE.
SERGEANT JEFF SORRELLS, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT.
CHERYL'S COMMITTED HERSELF TO EVERYONE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS IN HAPPY RETIREMENT.
CHRISTINE GONZALVEZ, WHEN I HAD COMMUNICATIONS, SHE WAS LIKE, I CALLED HER SIS 'CAUSE MY MY SISTER'S NAME.
AND WE WERE BOTH BIG COWBOY FANS.
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MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN THROUGHOUT HER CAREER.SHE SERVED IN MANY ROLES, INCLUDING DISPATCHER, TRAINER AND LEAD AT THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER, AS WELL AS THE RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR FOR SWORN RECRUITING.
HER CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE OVER THE YEARS, AND WE WISH HER ALL THE BEST IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT.
CONNIE SCHOENFELD, BRENT MULLINAX.
THE NARCOTICS CONSPIRACY UNIT ALREADY MISSES DETECTIVE MULLINAX AND I'M SURE MANY OTHERS THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT.
HE SERVED THE CITY AND IT CITIZENS WITH HONOR, INTEGRITY FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
HE WAS A LOYAL AND CONSISTENT TEAM MEMBER WHO WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP WHENEVER AND WHEREVER NEEDED.
AND WE WISH HIM THE BEST ON HIS NEW ADVENTURE.
SERGEANT SMITH, WELL DONE 25 YEARS AND I KNOW SHE'S HERE.
TINA HAS COMMITTED HERSELF TO EVERYONE WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN CITIZENS.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS AND HAPPY RETIREMENT.
RETIREMENT AND I DON'T HAVE TO BRING YOU, UH, ANYTHING FROM CHICK-FIL-A NOW YOU KNOW
SERGEANT ROSSON, JASON ROSSON, POLICE SERGEANT DEFENSIVE TACTICS UNIT OUT AT THE AUSTIN POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY.
SERGEANT ROSSON HAS RETIRED AFTER 30 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, 22 WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE WISH YOU THE BEST IN YOUR NEW CAREER WORKING WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, JASON FERRERA, LONG CAREER.
WELL DONE BRETT TABOU, I DON'T THINK I SAW BRETT HERE EARLIER.
I WANTED TO PERSONALLY CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT AND EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR YOUR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CID.
YOUR LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY HAVE SET A HIGH STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY.
YOU HAVE BEEN A MENTOR AND AN INSPIRATION LEAVING LASTING IMPACT ON CID THROUGH EVERY CHALLENGE YOU LED WITH CHARACTER AND PUT OTHERS FIRST.
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL RESONATE LONG AFTER YOUR RETIREMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND DEDICATION.
ENJOY, ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT TAB.
LIEUTENANT PAT LUC SANTI, TORRES POLICE SERGEANT CID TEAM FOUR.
SANTIAGO TORRES SERVED HONORABLY AND WORKED A VARIETY OF CHALLENGING ASSIGNMENTS THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER.
I WAS FORTUNATE TO WORK ALONGSIDE SERGEANT TORRES AND LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM HIS PROFESSIONALISM.
SERGEANT TORRES WAS AN ETHICAL LEADER WHO VALUED HIS COWORKERS, TEAMMATES, AND FAMILY.
HE'LL BE DEEPLY MISSED BY HIS A PD FAMILY.
MAY HE ENJOY A PROSPEROUS AND FULFILLING RETIREMENT.
LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER DAVIS, THE MOMENT THAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU CLOSING REMARKS.
YEAH, YOU DID A GREAT JOB, ERIC, MAN, I, WE SOME SERIOUS BRAVEN MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS LISTENING TO THESE STORIES FROM, UM, JESSICA WITH THE BEACON PROGRAM INTO LIFESAVING AWARDS AND, AND THE MIDDLE OF VALOR.
ALL OF THESE FANTASTIC, FANTASTIC THINGS.
SO MAKES ME PROUD TO BE HERE AS I KNOW ALL OF YOU ARE.
SO AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR, UM, UM, ESS AND AWARD WINNERS AND, AND TIME AND SERVICE.
UM, I BELIEVE, IS THERE REFRESHMENTS OUTSIDE? NO, YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF THIS.
DO WE HAVE REFRESHMENTS, DAN? WE SHOULD HAVE REFRESHMENTS SEVEN 11 REAL QUICK.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE, YEAH, I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING.
AGAIN, THANKS FOR COMING AND THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
AND I A AS YOU START TO WALK OUT, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO GIVE SOME FINAL THANKS TO A-T-X-N-A-P-D PUBLIC PIO, ADRIAN HOWE, BOB MIRANDA, CONNIE SCHOFIELD, LINDA RIVERA, CONNIE FALCON, STEPHANIE GONZALEZ, LEO MONROE, STEPHANIE RESENDEZ, DANIEL HULEY, BERTHA NDA LONGORIA, MILIA FRAZIER, ALEJANDRO REVA AND SHIRLEY SANDERS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU CHAPLAIN FOR BEING HERE.