Police recognize exceptional work
The forms their acts of bravery and service contributions took varied greatly. Some risked their lives to protect innocent neighbors from gunfire or walked into a building that had just exploded to rescue victims. Others applied tourniquets to the amputated limbs of an accident victim or saved a suicidal teen. Others tackled ongoing difficult and dangerous investigations with patience and persistence. What they all have in common is that they were honored by the Minneapolis Police Department for their exceptional service in 2013.
2013 Police Officer of the Year
Officer Chad Meyer, 3rd Precinct, was named Officer of the Year. Meyer was recognized for helping the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecute the Native Mob Gang. As a result of his efforts to locate and prepare nearly 300 witnesses to testify in the federal racketeering trial, three of the gang’s most violent members were convicted. Meyer was also lauded for his bravery in confronting and restraining an emotionally disturbed man who bit Meyer’s hand, resulting in the partial loss of one of his fingers.
Congratulations to the other nominees for Officer of the Year:
- Officer Griffin Hillbo, 1st Precinct.
- Officer Nick Englund, 2nd Precinct.
- Officer Sean Lessard, 4th Precinct.
- Officer Ker Yang, 5th Precinct.
- Officer Lucas Peterson, Special Operations Division.
2013 Investigator of the Year
Officer Dale Hanson, Crime Lab, was named Investigator of the Year in recognition of his efforts to keep hundreds of children safe by locating and helping prosecute distributors of child pornography. His dedication and determination led to more than 1,128 administrative subpoenas, 23 warrants on internet service providers and 32 search warrants.
Congratulations to the other nominees for Investigator of the Year:
- Sgt. Marvin Schumer, 4th Precinct.
- Sgt. Jason Walters, Juvenile Division.
2013 Park Police Officer of the Year
Officer Lynette Unke was honored for her crime prevention work, willingness to mentor new officers and commitment to maintaining positive relationships with neighborhoods. Unke was also thanked for her willingness to take a temporary assignment that resulted in erasing a substantial backlog of administrative tickets.
2013 Civilian of the Year
Linda Koenig, CID office support specialist, was recognized for her administrative and organizational skills that ensure the smooth functioning of two offices as well as the caring and compassionate service she provides to visitors, victims and witnesses.
Congratulations to Darlene Witthans, who was also nominated for the Civilian of the Year award.
2013 Citizen’s Award of Valor
Mohamed Armeli received the Citizen’s Award of Valor for chasing down a man who had punched a young boy and stolen his iPad.
2013 Unit Citation Awards
The Robbery Unit was honored for its success in closing 197 cases. The unit, which has seen a 39 percent increase in cases charged, was recognized for its teamwork and the thoroughness of its investigations. The unit’s closure rate was 55 percent — significantly higher than the national average of 28 percent.
The 4th Precinct Directed Patrol Team was honored for its efforts to remove illegal firearms and decrease gun crimes on the North Side. Working in uniform and undercover, the unit targeted known violent offenders and recovered 73 guns and 13 replica firearms during proactive stops. The team made 86 gun arrests, 121 felony arrests, 76 felony warrant arrests and 1,224 misdemeanor arrests last year.
Congratulations to the Crime Lab Unit, 3rd Precinct CRT and the 3rd Precinct Dogwatch for also receiving nominations for Unit Citation awards.
2013 CODEFOR Recognition Award
The 2nd Precinct was honored for its continuing success in reducing violent crime and property crime. The precinct’s formula for success included collaborating with other agencies, focusing on hot spots, targeting chronic repeat offenders, and proactively focusing on education and outreach efforts to prevent crime.
Complete list of 2013 honorees
Congratulations to the following individuals who earned honors for their exceptional service in 2013:
Chief’s Award of Merit
- Sgt. Jeff Egge
- Sgt. Joey Sandberg
- Officer Carlos Baires Escobar
- Officer Geoffrey Johnson
- Officer Todd Kurth
- Officer Daryl McKenna
- Officer Victor Mills
- Officer Kenneth Tidgwell
- Steven Lee
- Minneapolis Police Canine Foundation
Department Award of Merit
- Lt. Melissa Chiodo
- Lt. Danny May
- Sgt. Brian Anderson
- Sgt. Steven Bantle
- Sgt. Anthony Caspers
- Sgt. Christopher House
- Sgt. Jeff Jindra
- Sgt. Bill Peterson
- Officer James Burns
- Officer Amber DeGidio-Wick
- Officer Zane Detert
- Officer Charles Greaves
- Officer Tracy Gross
- Officer Gabriel Grout
- Officer Lora Hanks
- Officer Anna Hedberg
- Officer Matt Heger
- Officer Griffin Hillbo
- Officer Jeff Imming
- Officer Mark Johnson
- Officer Jamie Karshbaum
- Officer Rebecca Lane
- Officer Steve Lecy
- Officer Blayne Lehner
- Officer Douglas Lemons
- Officer Robert Lewis
- Officer Jill Loonsfoot
- Officer James Loveland
- Officer Patrick McMahon
- Officer Justin Merten
- Officer Victor Mills
- Officer Jeff Werner
- Officer Tammy Werner
- Officer Carl White
- CPS Nick Juarez
Distinguished Service Award
- Officer Richard Ross Taylor
Medal of Commendation
- Sgt. Chris Lokke
- Sgt. Kent Warnberg
- Officer Tony Adams
- Officer Sherry Appledorn
- Officer James Boyd
- Officer Scott Buck
- Officer Deitan Dubuc
- Officer Cory Fitch
- Officer Larry Krebsbach
- Officer Sean Lessard
- Officer Lawrence Loonsfoot
- Officer Chad Meyer
- Officer Lauren Peterson
- Officer Laura Turner
- Trooper Nick Otterson, MN State Patrol
Excellence in Investigation
- Lt. Michael Fossum
- Sgt. Walter Carlson
- Sgt. Jesse Garcia
- Sgt. Richard Jackson
- Sgt. Sean McKenna
- Sgt. Wally Krueger
- Officer Matthew Alberts
- Officer Timothy Eck
- Officer David Ligneel (2)
- Officer David Palmer
- Mary Cunningham
Lifesaving Award
- Lt. Robert Goodsell, Park PD
- Sgt. Rick Doll, Park PD
- Sgt. Robert Helmeke, Park PD
- Officer Benjamin Bauer
- Officer Dante Dean
- Officer Andrew Hanson
- Officer Daniel Hauth
- Officer Steve Herron
- Officer Vicki Karnik
- Officer Shawn Kelly
- Officer Larry Krebsbach
- Officer Marcus Lukes
- Officer Steven Lynch (2)
- Officer Oscar Macias
- Officer Sean McTaggart
- Officer Dennis Milner
- Officer Jason Okerberg (2)
- Officer Joseph Osuji
- Officer Luis Realivasquez
- Officer Deanna Rivard
- Officer Judy Rollins
- Officer Cory Taylor
- Officer Lisa Thome-Marks
- Officer Sam Xiong, Park PD
Citizen’s Award of Valor
- Mohamed Armeli
Medal of Valor
- Lt. Michael Fossum
- Lt. Jon Kingsbury
- Officer Kevin Angerhofer
- Officer Thomas Campbell
- Officer Lance DuPaul
- Officer Mark Durand
- Officer Jarrod Kunze
- Officer Mark Madich
- Officer Chad Meyer
- Officer Lucas Peterson
- Officer Nicholas Rowe
- Officer Jesse Standal
- Officer Laurarose Turner
- Officer James Walker
Published May 28, 2014
