The Chandler Police Department recognized the exceptional efforts of its employees during 2014 at its Annual Awards Ceremony. Department employees gathered on the evening of March 11, 2015 to Celebrate Chandler’s Finest.
Congratulations to the following employees and units who were honored:
The Unit Citation award is presented to a Department team or unit whose actions exemplify the mission statement of the Chandler Police Department. Three Department units were presented with a Unit Citation award:
- Patrol Team Two: Sergeants Ray Kieffer Emma Bribiescas and Officers Leonard Bettendorf, Loranda Tibble, Gene Campbell, Jeffrey Delnero, Nate Eckwood, Nicole Cockerham, and Keith Aguiar
- The Victim Services Unit: Katie Cain, Jean Watson, Denise Allen, and Veronica Vierra
- Patrol Team Eight: Lieutenant Dave Ramer and Officers Brad Carroll, Phil Robinson, Mark Jordan, Sara Rozema, Noah Dueker, William Walker and Josh Cohen
- The Financial Crimes Unit: Sergeant Mark Gluzinski and Detectives Bob Lenz, J.B. Stout, Jason Schouten, Steve Pfeifer, Ron Moore and Mike Moore, and Investigative Specialist Nancy Thiry
The Meritorious Service award is presented to a member of the Department who consistently exceeds normal job requirements with at least one specific act of outstanding performance. This may include a member proceeding with a pre-determined plan, program, investigation, or official act that exemplifies the mission statement of the Chandler Police Department.
The 2014 recipients of this award include Sergeant Tom Lovejoy, Tiffany Anderson, Officer John Allison, Detective Mike Russo, Officer Dave Woodard, Officer David Parks, Detective David Pilkington, Kerri Sherwood, Sergeant Greg Howarth, Nicole Potter, Tanya Keeton, and Florence Berrier.
The Community Service award is presented to an employee who displays extraordinary efforts in serving the community.
Sergeant Ray Kieffer, Lieutenant Dave Ramer and Melanie Slate were the recipients of the 2014 Community Service Award.
The Patrol Team of the Year award is presented to a patrol team that excelled in beat problem identification and solution, proactive actions, self-initiated activity, major case investigation and resolution, calls for service, and community service. Team Seven is the 2014 Patrol Team of the Year. This patrol team included; Sergeant Jeff Okonowski, and Officers Michael Prendergast, David Parsons, David Pilkington, Ashley Lewis, Nicholas Boos, Gregory Thudium, Tina Balsewicz, Brian Morgenthaler, Nanette Rathers-Martinez, and Jessica Mikita.
The Civilian Supervisor of the Year Award is presented to a civilian supervisor for distinguished supervision and leadership in any assignment over a period of one year that is clearly exceptional in achieving departmental goals and objectives.
Jack Christensen is the 2014 Civilian Supervisor of the Year.
The Sworn Supervisor of the Year Award is presented to a sworn supervisor for distinguished supervision and leadership in any police assignment over a period of one year that is clearly exceptional in achieving departmental goals and objectives.
Sergeant Gary Minor is the 2014 Sworn Supervisor of the Year.
The Lifesaving Medal is presented to employees directly responsible for saving/ prolonging a human life (Extended by days or weeks). A recipient may be any Department employee, on or off-duty.
Recipients for this award were Officers Richard Allen, Doyle Sikes, Jeremy Nolan, Jonas Lucas, Joshua Logan, Darrin Vigesaa, and Hilton Drew.
The Communications Employee of the Year award is presented to a member of the Communications Section in recognition of outstanding accomplishment and for facilitating the achievement of organizational goals and objectives.
Ron Parks is the 2014 Communications Employee of the Year.
The Employee of the Year award is presented to a civilian employee for outstanding performance over a period of one year in achieving department goals and objective through projects, programs, or situations requiring exceptional dedication.
Dan Gentile is the 2014 Employee of the Year.
The Purple Heart award is given to recognize a member of the Department who receives serious bodily injury as a result of a felonious assault. This felonious assault must be by a suspect.
The 2014 Purple Heart is awarded to the late Officer David Payne.
The Medal of Honor award is given to recognize a member who distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and extraordinary heroism. The act must go beyond normal demands and be of such nature that the member was fully aware of the imminent threat to his personal safety and acted above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of his own life.
Sergeant Pete Rowton is the 2014 recipient for the Medal of Honor.
The Officer of the Year award is presented to an officer for distinguished service in any police assignment over a period of one year’s time that is clearly exceptional and places the recipient in a position above other members of the same rank.
Officer Nate Jacobs is the 2014 Officer of the Year.