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Certificate of Appreciation (14-01) Laurel YoderLaurel Yoder has been volunteering for the Portland Police Bureau over the last year, dedicating more than 200 hours to assist with the GirlStrength and WomenStrength programs. Laurel has a calm and positive demeanor and always arrives ready and eager to assist. She has shown long-term commitment to the Bureau, and her competency and efficiency in the office has enabled the Directors of each program to give her projects that can be completed with little supervision. Laurel was responsible for collecting and compiling data for a yearly progress report for the GirlStrength program; editing the new high school and elementary school curricula; assisting with the creation of specific visual aids and materials to be used in classes and programs; researching data and statistics on violence against women; promoting the programs at fairs and community events; registering and confirming students signed up for classes as well as other office tasks. Laurel has completed all this as well as become a volunteer self-defense instructor for WomenStrength all while working part-time and going to school full-time.Laurel, for your selfless dedication to GirlStrength and WomenStrength, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police Bureau’s CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION. Certificate of Appreciation (14-38) Juanita Kitterman Juanita Kitterman has spent numerous years volunteering her services to the Portland Police Historical Society. She has been a civilian member on the Board of Directors, and has dedicated uncounted hours of her own time to the organization. Juanita has also worked long hours researching past officer line of duty deaths, locating their previously unknown grave sites, and conducted genealogical research to locate living family members. She has also worked to procure properly marked headstones for deceased officers. She works with other city volunteer organizations in conjunction with the historical society.Without Juanita’s assistance, some of the actions of officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice would never be recognized or honored. Juanita has remained committed to researching and honoring the Portland Police Bureau’s history.Juanita, for your selfless dedication to the Portland Police Historical Society, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police Bureau’s CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION. Certificate of Appreciation (14-12) Matthew Mattison Since 2011, the Portland Police Bureau has been engaged in a joint effort with the United States Department of Justice's International Criminal Investigative Training Program, with the mission of training police officers in Bangladesh. To help build community and police relations, Police Bureau members initially brought and distributed thousands of Portland Police Junior Crime Fighter stickers to local children. The sticker has the background of a Portland Police badge and a McGruff the Crime-Fighter dog overlaid. However, discussion soon began about providing Bangladesh Police officers with their own version of a sticker. With the consultation of the Bangladesh Police, a rough idea for a design was given involving the Bangladesh Police badge, a symbol of national pride--The Royal Bengal Tiger--and the inscription in Bengali "We Are With Police.”This information was provided to the internationally respected local artist Matthew Mattison, who generously donated his time to create the design. The first 500 were printed and departed with Team 29, in May of 2013. Both the public and police officials in Bangladesh were extremely pleased and honored with the design of the sticker.Matthew, for your selfless dedication to the promotion of community policing on an international level, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police Bureau’s CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION.Unit Commendation Medal (14-27) Human Trafficking UnitThe current Human Trafficking Unit consists of three detectives and a sergeant, with the primary purpose of investigating Measure 11 Prostitution cases involving both adults and juveniles. In addition to the unit's local and state responsibilities, the three detectives are also Federal Task Force Officers with the Portland FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.The Human Trafficking Unit has been a cohesive group since July 2011, whose hard work and dedication has resulted in several landmark state and federal prosecutions. Since 2012, the unit has cleared roughly 50 cases by arrest and sent those cases for prosecution. On the federal level, the unit's efforts have dramatically increased the number of cases that were federally indicted, putting the Portland task force in the top five nationwide for federal trafficking indictments. Between 2005 and 2010, the average prison term a trafficker was sentenced to was less than 40 months. In 2012, the average sentence doubled to close to 120 months. This increase can be attributed to the positive working relationships developed with the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office and the United States Attorney's Office District of Oregon, as well as the unit's efforts in reaching out to victims to hold these traffickers accountable. The quality and depth of these recent investigations, as well as the increase in volume of victims identified and offenders prosecuted can be attributed to a dedicated team approach. This approach, in most instances, begins with a collaborative effort to care for the victims and respond to their needs. Using non-profit advocates and a myriad of resources, detectives and prosecutors build a case that is victim centered and offender focused. The quality of cases and expertise of this unit has been nationally recognized. With the growing interest and outcry related to child sex trafficking, the unit has provided training to outside law enforcement agencies as well as informational presentations to community groups. For your professionalism, compassion and dedication to identifying, investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, the members of the Human Trafficking Unit are hereby awarded the Portland Police UNIT COMMENDATION MEDAL.Unit Commendation Medal (14-26)Criminal Intelligence UnitThe members of the Criminal Intelligence Unit or CIU have demonstrated over many years professionalism and dedication in representing the Portland Police Bureau while conducting their mission of Dignitary Protection. Since 2010, CIU has conducted more than 70 dignitary protection details, which has involved the protection of current and former heads of state, foreign diplomats, senior congressional members, and high-ranking military personnel. In 2010, CIU recognized the need to seek outside training opportunities and the Unit was recognized by the local State Department Special Agent in Charge who nominated all members of CIU to attend the U.S. State Departments weeklong Dignitary Protection course in Washington D.C., enabling members to bring those newly acquired skills back to the Bureau. Because of their dedication to the mission, CIU provided more than 411hours of continued training to not only their CIU members, but to other PPB personal and outside law enforcement agencies. In 2012, CIU developed and conducted a comprehensive 8-day Dignitary Protection course, which involved the training of 25 PPB personnel, Oregon DOJ and the Oregon State Police Governors Protection Detail. In 2012, CIU was recognized for their professionalism in dignitary protection operations by receiving a letter of commendation from the U.S. Capitol Police. For your dedication to dignitary protection and for your willingness to learn and train others, the members of the Criminal Intelligence Unit are hereby awarded the Portland Police Bureau UNIT COMMENDATION MEDAL.Unit Commendation Medal (14-29) Training Division Over the last year, the Police Bureau made significant changes to its Use of Force and Taser policies. Due to these changes, the lead Training instructors and two nonsworn members--the Training Development Officer and the Training Development Analyst--made important and significant changes to the curriculum and training scenarios. The training scenarios were implemented in last year’s in-service and officers were evaluated with guidelines that were developed as a team and implemented with input from all lead instructors from all the training disciplines. The members of the Training Division were fair and consistent in their evaluations of each officer's actions and debriefed each training scenario with care and professionalism. The lead instructors worked as a team to develop a training product that would definitely affect Portland Police officers and their work and community contacts in the field. This teamwork clearly had an effect on the safety and tactical knowledge of the officers on the street. This scenario based and evaluated training is some of the best in the country. All of the instructors and nonsworn personnel completed these tasks with other duties on their plates as well. Most of them had other trainings, satellite instructor schools and program development to do while doing an exceptional job on the teaching and implementing the new policies in the 2013 In-service. For your teamwork, effort and commitment providing sound and thorough training to Portland Police Officers, the members of the Training Division are awarded the Portland Police UNIT COMMENDATION mendation Medal (14-36) Officers Casey Hettman and Brad Yakots Officer Casey Hettman and Officer Brad Yakots are assigned to Central Precinct Afternoon Shift and work a two-person district car. Officers Hettman and Yakots attended the E-CIT Training last spring and were subsequently certified. They have embraced their training and demonstrated compassion in their dealings with people in crisis. Since last January, they have been involved in numerous calls regarding people in crisis, including people who were threatening to jump off bridges. They were able to establish a positive rapport and convince these subjects to not jump and be seen by mental health professionals. Officer Hettman and Officer Yakots were able to convince one subject, who was jumping from rooftop to rooftop, to safely come to their location and be taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation. These incidents are simply a highlight of Officer Hettman and Yakots’ proactive efforts in crisis intervention. Officer Hettman and Yakots are recognized by their peer officers as outstanding examples of the E-CIT Program. There overall work in the program is bolstered by the outstanding work habits in all facets of patrol. Officer Hettman and Officer Yakots have also been selected to be community liaisons because of their work with the mental health community and their willingness to speak regarding workplace equity issues. Officer Casey Hettman and Officer Brad Yakots, for your efforts to help those most vulnerable in our community and your work to build partnerships with the mental health community, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police Bureau COMMENDATION MEDAL.Achievement Medal (14-25) Officers Pete McConnell, Derrick Foxworth and Leo HarrisOfficer Pete McConnell is a current satellite patrol tactics instructor who realized that the Bureau’s current active shooter training was not thorough and did not address critical issues affecting such a situation, including working in partnership with the Fire Bureau.Officer McConnell spent countless hours designing and creating a two-day class that has a new lesson plan, multiple scenarios, hands-on drills, and now incorporates the Portland Fire Bureau and the Portland Police Bureau working together on major incidents. Officers Leo Harris and Derrick Foxworth of the Training Division ensured this training was delivered by working to secure training sites and coordinating the schedules of instructors for this valuable training. More than 100 officers have gone through this training and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, including multiple officers saying it is the best training they have ever had. The Police Bureau's patrol tactics training for the Advanced Academy will incorporate this new training as well. Officers Pete McConnell, Leo Harris and Derrick Foxworth, your hard work and tenacity to create a more advanced active shooter training will have a lasting impact on Portland Police Officers. Though we hope it does not occur in our city, active shooter incidents are becoming increasingly familiar to law enforcement agencies. This training ensures Portland Police Officers will respond using best practices and tactics. For this contribution, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL.Achievement Medal (14-23) Officer Garret Dow, Corey Wilks, Dave Maller, Quang Chu, Dung Vu, Ron Lorenson and Chris Smith In the fall of 2012, Officer Garrett Dow proposed the idea to connect the wanted vehicle files—or BOLOs--from the Bureau of Emergency Communication dispatch system—or VCAD--with the Automatic License Plate Reader system. Officer Dow saw the advantages of having the two systems linked so that wanted vehicles would be quickly and automatically loaded into the Automatic License Plate Reader cars ,which would increase the likelihood that suspect vehicles would be found faster without officers having to individually enter the vehicle plates into two different systems. Stolen Vehicles, Amber Alerts and other vehicles of interests could be uploaded 24/7. Officer Garrett Dow researched the proposal with Versaterm and 3M technologies and found it had not been done before, but was technically possible. Officer Dow then coordinated with other bureau and city partners to design the process for implementation. It truly became a team effort.Ron Lorenson, BTS Dispatch Technology Support; Chris Smith, BTS Production Services; Dung Vu and Quang Chu, BTS Dispatch Technology Support; Dave Maller, BTS Police lTD and Corey Wilks, BTS Police lTD, worked together to develop this highly technical system. I could try to explain it to you today, but none of us would understand it anyway!The combined systems became operational last April and has helped Portland Police officers locate more than 100 wanted vehicles that would not have been found without the use of the combined systems. The system has proven so successful that Officer Dow was asked to present at an international conference of Versaterm users. Several other law enforcement agencies have now asked to copy the work of the team that implemented the integration of VCAD and the Automatic License Plate Reader. Officer Garret Dow, Corey Wilks, Dave Maller, Quang Chu, Dung Vu, Ron Lorenson and Chris Smith, your innovative work to assist officers with locating suspect vehicles that were involved in criminal activity has made the Portland Police Bureau a leader in this kind of technology. You are hereby awarded the Portland Police ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL.Achievement Medal (14-31) Officer Lonn SweeneyOfficer Lonn Sweeney has been a Portland Police Canine handler since January 2005. During his almost 9 years in the Canine Unit, Officer Sweeney has shown a passion for training police dogs and has always made himself available to assist other handlers in the unit with improving their skills. Officer Sweeney has dedicated his own personal time to make himself a better canine handler and canine unit trainer. Because of this commitment, he was offered the position of Portland Police Canine Unit Assistant Trainer in 2010. Within the first year, Officer Sweeney assisted in training 4 new dog teams and then served as the head trainer, training two more new canine teams. Officer Sweeney challenged himself by becoming an Oregon Police Canine Association State Patrol Dog Trainer. This is no easy feat, as only three handlers with the Police Bureau have ever held this title in the K-9 Unit's 30-year history. Officer Sweeney, having nearly double the required experience and training hours, was accepted as a Probationary Trainer in September 2012. Officer Sweeney spent his year as a probationary trainer assisting in multiple statewide training seminars, successfully trained two additional patrol dog teams, conducted large regional trainings and accumulating an additional 275 hours of structured dog training. Last September Officer Sweeney was awarded a position as an OPCA State Trainer. Officer Lonn Sweeney, for this hard-earned and remarkable achievement, and for your positive and continuous contributions to the training and professionalism of the Portland Police Bureau's Canine Unit and police canine teams throughout the State of Oregon, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL.Achievement Medal (14-15) Retired Officer Nate Shropshire and Officers Sean Macomber, Lance Tsukimura and Chris Watts As budgets have affected the number of investigators and officers, the Bureau has continued to look for ways to provide the same level of service to the community that they have in the past. Since personnel numbers have been reduced, the Bureau now looks to technology to help fill the gaps.The Portland Police Bureau's Drugs and Vice Division assigned Officer Chris Watts to work as a Technical Investigator in the early 2000's. Officer Watts began to educate himself on technical criminal investigative techniques used by agencies all across the United States. Officer Watts became a self-taught expert in the field of technical investigations. The technology was beta tested on investigations in the Drugs and Vice Division and found to be extremely helpful and cost effective. In 2009, the Technical Operation Unit of the Drugs and Vice Division was formed. It consisted of one Sergeant and three Technical Investigators (Officer Chris Watts, Officer Lance Tsukimura, originally Officer Nate Shropshire and now Officer Sean Macomber). Hundreds of research hours were put into finding the best technical investigative equipment for the money and Technical Investigators worked diligently to educate themselves to provide a level of service that would be considered at the top of industry standards. The equipment needed for technical investigations is costly, so the officers learned how to construct the equipment themselves and obtain equipment at a fraction of industry costs. The officers requested they be given a dedicated training slot at in-service to educate all investigators on the techniques deployed by members of TOU. In addition members attended PPB roll-calls and made numerous contacts with surrounding law enforcement agencies to offer their assistance. In 2009, Technical Operation Unit officers were deployed to assist in a technical capacity more than 200 times. Word of mouth spread and last year, it was estimated to be close to 800 times. Hundreds of suspects and criminal organizations were arrested, or dismantled because of assistance provided by these officers.Retired Officer Nate Shropshire and Officers Sean Macomber, Lance Tsukimura and Chris Watts, for your work to advance the Bureau to use cutting edge technology to investigate and apprehend suspects, and for your dedication to learning and training others in this technology, you are hereby awarded the PORTLAND POLICE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL.Achievement Medal (14-35) Officer Natasha Haunsperger and Irene KonevOver the past 20-plus years, the Slavic Community in the Portland metro area has grown rapidly. The Slavic community consists of Eastern European immigrants from the former Soviet bloc countries, as well as from the former Yugoslavia. While each of these communities has distinct individual characteristics, the Slavic populations share some commonalities in history, culture, religion, and languages and face similar assimilation issues. The Eastern European/Slavic community primarily consists of hard-working families with a strong Christian value system, who are pursuing their dreams and goals of creating an economically better and politically and religiously safer life for their families. The population growth and assimilations for the Russian, Eastern European and Slavic immigrants has brought with it many challenges, including a disproportionately high dropout rate; language barriers and a lack of awareness about the American social norms and laws. These challenges lead to issues such as criminal activity and immigrants who are coming from circumstances where the cultural norm is to engage in conflict with corrupt governments and officials. This generates a lack of trust with the community and law enforcement. Officer Natasha Haunsperger has done an extensive amount of outreach within this community. This led to the alarming realization that significantly more criminal activity is occurring with this community than is being reported. Much of this underreporting can be attributed to a variety of factors; lack of language skills, fear of retaliation, an innate lack of trust in police and a tendency to "fix and resolve" problems within the community.Officer Haunsperger recognized the immediate need to educate the Slavic community on criminal justice, crime prevention and community engagement. In turn, the Portland Police Bureau needed to be educated on the fears and concerns of the Slavic Community. Officer Haunsperger and Irene Konev, who works for the Independent Police Review Division, presented the concept to establish a Slavic Advisory Council at the Police Bureau.East Precinct Command and the Chiefs office unanimously agreed that this needed to happen. On December 6, 2012, the first Slavic Advisory Council was held and attended by a variety of Slavic community leaders and members of the Police Bureau. One year later, the Slavic Advisory Council is thriving. The council developed a Mission Statement and Goals (in English and Russian). In the past year, the Bureau and the Slavic community participated in many events and plans are being developed for the Slavic Advisory Council and Portland Police Bureau to hold a Youth/Family Forum in the spring.Officer Natasha Haunsperger and Irene Konev, you recognized the need to bring police and the Slavic Community together to build trust and develop relationships. This has already greatly impacted those involved. For these ground-breaking efforts in establishing the Slavic Advisory Council, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL.Achievement Medal (14-28) Detective Anthony Merrill, Officer Colby PanterOn June 30, 2010, Detective Anthony Merrill and Officer Colby Panter became the lead investigators on a shooting investigation that occurred at the Refectory Night Club. During the initial call, responding uniform officers received information that a large group of suspected gang members had assaulted two patrons, as they were leaving the establishment. The two victims were shot by the suspected gang members. According to statements made by the victims and witnesses at the scene, the two victims were leaving the club when the group of gang members began arguing with one of the victims. Shortly after the argument, one victim was punched in the face and knocked to the ground and then shots were fired at them. One victim was grazed in the head with a bullet, while the other was shot at five times.Detective Merrill and Officer Panter interviewed more than 20 potential witnesses connected to the shooting within the first four weeks of the investigation. They reviewed video footage from the nightclub and surrounding areas where the shooting had occurred. They convinced a witness to take a voluntary polygraph exam. They attempted to interview uncooperative gang members who they suspected were at the club the night of the shooting. After five weeks into the investigation, the case became cold, due to the lack of cooperation from gang members, the video footage was not clear enough to identify who the shooter was, and none of witnesses that were at the club that night were able to identify the shooter. Detective Merrill and Officer Panter issued several wanted flyers for gang associates who were at the club that night who later became wanted for unrelated charges. Every time some of those individuals would get arrested, Detective Merrill and Officer Panter would attempt to interview them in hopes that one of them would cooperate with the investigation. Detective Merrill and Officer Panter continued to make contacts with the numerous witnesses and the victims, they followed up on several leads and anonymous tips, but they did not have any success. In August 2011, Detective Merrill and Officer Panter received information from a confidential source that identified several of the gang members that were involved at the Refectory shooting. By September 2012, Detective Merrill and Officer Panter drove to the Coyote Ridge State Prison in Washington and interviewed an inmate who identified the suspect in the shooting.They also identified and located the suspect’s girlfriend, and discovered she was also present at the shooting. They developed an arrest warrant and found the suspect was already in a Washington prison, searched a hotel in Washington where the couple hid after the shooting and learned the suspect was involved in a gang shooting in 2011 in Seattle. Many search warrants and interviews later, they had built an incredible case. Last October, the suspect was indicted for attempt murder, and was sentenced to 70 months in jail after he pled guilty to two counts of Assault II with a firearm. Detective Merrill and Officer Panter, for your extraordinary and exhaustive work, following every single lead and building a thorough investigative case that led to the arrest of a dangerous shooter, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL.Achievement Medal (14-03) Nikki MorrisNikki Morris is currently an Evidence Control Specialist in the Property Evidence Division. Nikki is also a full-time volunteer for WomenStrength and GirlStrength. Since 2008, she has volunteered more than 500 hours to teach personal safety skills to women and girls. In 2008, Nikki became a volunteer self-defense instructor for WomenStrength, completing more than 120 hours of training. In 2010, Nikki cross-trained to become a violence prevention instructor for the new GirlStrength program. Nikki often taught more than the required classes, sometimes two programs and sometimes extra 90-minute workshops. Nikki functions as a lead instructor for both programs, as a guide and mentor for new instructors in the classroom, as well as at the annual new volunteer training. Besides teaching, Nikki actively recruits volunteers. For the past three years, she has taken the initiative to obtain and post flyers, class schedules and applications in her local communities. Since 2007, Nikki has also been a counselor for Camp Rosenbaum and has been a mentor for young girls through the Big Sister program in Portland.Nikki Morris, for your selflessness in volunteering your time and for your hard work and commitment to helping positively impact girls and women, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL. Achievement Medal (14-04) Officer Carrie HutchisonIn 2011, Officer Carrie Hutchison and other members of the Drugs and Vice Division initiated an investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization—or DTO--distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in the Portland area. As a result of this investigation, Officer Hutchison and members of DVD seized more than 24 pounds of meth and identified the leader of the organization as Juan Luis Pulido.Later that year, Officer Hutchison was selected for a detached assignment with the DEA, where she continued her pursuit of this DTO. Officer Hutchison helped in coordinating numerous agencies to assist in this investigation. Last February, the team was able to obtain and execute 13 search warrants in Oregon and Washington. The team seized 281 pounds of meth, 1 pound of cocaine; 391 pounds of heroin; 13 firearms; 4 vehicles, and $144,000. The total street seizure of the drugs was more than 40 million dollars. In addition, 15 members of the Pulido DTO have been arrested and are awaiting federal sentencing.Officer Carrie Hutchison, for the commitment you demonstrated on focusing a team to investigate and apprehend a large-scale drug trafficking organization, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL. Achievement Medal (14-16) Officer Zach KenneyPrescription drug abuse has become an increasing problem in the United States. Most major drug trafficking organizations—or DTO's--are run like a business and many have taken the opportunity to cash-in on the cultural shift. No longer do DTO's have to flood a market with discounted illegal drugs to obtain a constant stream of clients that have developed an addiction to their product. Instead, DTO's have capitalized on a growing customer base of persons addicted to pharmaceutical drugs. The Portland Police Bureau has recognized this growing trend and has taken action. Officer Zach Kenney has been assigned to the Drugs and Vice Division since 2009, and in late 2011, Officer Zach Kenney was given a detached assignment with the DEA’s Diversion Task-Force, a position he held until last September. During Officer Kenney's tenure at DEA, he participated in dozens of Federal and State prescription drug investigations. Typically, investigations conducted by the Drugs and Vice Division stop at the Oregon borders, and then leads are given to other enforcement groups. Officer Kenney's assignment and Federal Law Enforcement powers allowed him to take his investigations further. Officer Kenney traveled across the United States to investigate pharmaceutical companies, interview narcotic suppliers, and seize assets that had been purchased with illicit monies. Officer Kenney was the only local law enforcement officer assigned to the task force. This meant all state level investigations involving pharmaceutical drugs were assigned to him, increasing his workload immensely. Officer Kenney juggled both his Federal and State obligations, and became recognized as an expert in the field of pharmaceutical drug investigations.Officer Zach Kenney, for your tireless efforts to investigating the illegal use of pharmaceutical drugs, on a state and federal level, which gravely impact the livability of our community, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL.Nathan Thomas Memorial Distinguished Service Medal (14-37)Kay PetersonKay Peterson is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and a founding member of Project Respond. Project Respond is a mobile mental health crisis response team. The team provides crisis assessment to people experiencing a mental health emergency. Project Respond is a core partner for the Police Bureau. Police Officers frequently call Project Respond to come to their scene and help with the call. Kay has chosen to spend her life serving people in crisis who are living on the margins of society. She has an understanding and regard for the work that police officers do, and has been on thousands of police calls, earning the respect of officers. Kay is a also a translator. She is able to serve as a bridge between officers, mental health professionals and the community. Police officers appreciate Kay's demeanor on a police call. She is simply unflappable.Kay was asked to instruct Portland police officers in crisis intervention since the beginning of the Crisis Intervention Team. Kay makes her topic relevant and valuable to the job of a police officer. When the decision was made to make changes to the Crisis Intervention Team training, Kay spent the next six months rewriting the 40-hour curriculum for the new CIT program and then spent the next two years teaching every officer and sergeant in the operations branch. In 2013, the ECIT program began. Again Kay was a part of the curriculum development as well as an instructor. Only part of Kay's work is with the police bureau. As a Project Responder, she and her teammates answer calls from concerned family members, business owners, schools, other social service providers, and interact with people in crisis. She meets with people who sleep in the stoops of downtown buildings or reside in the single resident occupancy hotels downtown. People trust Kay. She builds a rapport and never gives up on them. She is an informal leader and mentor within Project Respond. Even as public funding has decreased and criticism of the community mental health has increased, Kay has maintained hope. Her commitment to improving the lives of people who are in crisis is irrepressible. Kay Peterson, for your unwavering commitment to people with mental illness or people in mental crisis, and for your years of continued efforts to train and support Portland Police Officers so they can help people in crisis, you are hereby awarded the NATHAN THOMAS MEMORIAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL. Distinguished Service (14-40) Chaplain Steve ChadwickChaplain Steve Chadwick has been a Chaplain for the Portland Police Bureau since 2007. As a Chaplain, Steve has worked tirelessly to assist the men and women of the Portland Police Bureau, both sworn and non-sworn. Steve is assigned to both the Traffic Division and Central Precinct, where he has made many friends, goes on ride-alongs, and serves both the community and the Police Bureau. Since Steve became a Chaplain for the Portland Police Bureau, he has worked tirelessly on developing "Police Rest Stops" that serve the men and women of the Portland Police Bureau. Steve has partnered with citizens, churches and businesses within the community to develop seven rest stops, which are a comfortable welcoming place for officers to go, to write reports, rest, take a break, eat their lunches, just have some down time from the rigors of working the street. All of the "Police Rest Stops" are located in churches throughout the three precincts. The "Police Rest Stops" are also used by other local law enforcement agencies. The church members provide refreshments for officers. Many of the elder ladies of these churches keep freshly baked cookies stocked for the officers. Several of the churches have extensively remodeled the areas for the Rest Stops with help from businesses within the community. Furniture, TV's, cupboards, counter tops and flooring have been donated to make the Rest Stops comfortable for officers. The officers when visiting the Rest Stops will post thank you notes to the people who donate their time, money and baking skills to ensure the officers have a nice place to rest and relax.In developing these Rest Stops, Steve has not only succeeded in gaining the trust and support of many people and businesses within the community, he has also touched other communities and churches, in not only Oregon but other states as well. Other communities in Oregon and elsewhere are using Steve's Rest Stop model to develop their own in their communities.Chaplain Steve Chadwick, for your dedication to ensuring the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of Portland Police Bureau members, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL.Distinguished Service (14-33 and 34) Lt. Larry Graham and Amy Jacobs In 2002, Lieutenant Larry Graham developed a partnership with Fred Meyer stores and other social service providers to begin the “Shop with a Cop” program, which pairs children in need with police officers to shop for school supplies and clothing at the beginning of the school year. In addition to the children obtaining these items, they are able to spend some positive time with a police officer. The cost of the items purchased was covered by a combination of donations and crime prevention funding. Through Lieutenant Graham’s leadership, this event has continued to grow, with hundreds of officers over the years volunteering their time to participate. In addition, Amy Jacobs of Fred Meyer, has been pivotal in ensuring this program continues. Amy has worked tirelessly to obtain funding and support from within the Fred Meyer organization. Her leadership and encouragement has attracted many to volunteer and support this program. Amy works with store managers and purchase agents to ensure the store is overstocked with kids clothing on the day of the event so they have a large selection to choose from. She has worked with Fred Meyer in obtaining incredible discounts on items, many times up to 70 percent off. Amy Jacobs and Lieutenant Graham have worked together to ensure this program thrives and succeeds. Through their commitment to the program, more than 2,000 local kids in need have been provided with more than $650,000 worth of back to school clothing and supplies.Lieutenant Larry Graham, for your leadership in developing and maintaining this program, which has helped thousands of local children, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.Amy Jacobs, for your dedication to this program and your efforts with Fred Meyer to host and partner with the Portland Police Bureau, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.Distinguished Service (14-21) Pastor Marc Estes, Pastor Frank Damazio and the Congregation of City Bible ChurchLead Pastor Frank Damazio and Campus Pastor Marc Estes have demonstrated exemplary and distinguished leadership over City Bible Church for many years and this has been very beneficial for our community. The pastors’ willingness to reach outside themselves and their church to those in need has significantly enhanced the livability of numerous community members, especially Portland’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens. Pastors Damazio and Estes accomplish their deeds individually as well as leading several teams of volunteers, partnering with the City of Portland, the Portland Police Bureau, and other governmental and non-profit agencies. Some of their annual and ongoing projects include the "Live, Love" Project - a project where individual citizens, normally non-church members, are identified and assisted by City Bible Church volunteers with home improvements, food, money for necessary expenses, emergency housing, and more. Multi-year projects have also included the adoption of local schools for property cleanups and resources for teachers and students to include backpacks filled with school supplies. Pastors Estes has initiated ongoing projects with all Portland DHS facilities and the families they serve. City Bible has provided services independently and in cooperation with other churches, agencies, the business community, and members of the Portland Police Bureau. Some of the services City Bible's teams of volunteers have provided include welcome boxes for children going into foster care, and working with specialists to provide mentors and counseling and care packages to the clients of the Sexual Assault Resource Center. The pastors have coordinated efforts with local medical specialists, barbers, painters, cleaners, etc. to provide free services to Portland's most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens. They also coordinated Foster Parent Night Out—a program in partnership with the Oregon State National and Air Guard, American Medical Response, the Portland Fire Bureau, and the Portland Police’s Mounted Patrol, and the Traffic Division, to provide a safe and fun venue for foster parents to drop off their foster children so they can enjoy a night without any parental responsibilities while the children are able to have a fun night with first responders.The list of volunteer programs is endless and includes food boxes, Christmas gifts, summer camps for the children, mentoring and more. They have provided resources to Portland Police Officers, by providing a no-cost venue for police-related functions and for officers to use clean restrooms, eat meals and write reports. They host multiple annual breakfasts and events to recognize, support, and provide resources to Portland's veterans and first responders. Pastor Frank Damazio and Pastor Marc Estes, your leadership and compassion is renowned throughout the community. Through your efforts, thousands of people in our community have been positively impacted. Your partnership with the Police Bureau and other agencies, is a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together to assist those in need. It is my honor to present you and the congregation of City Bible Church with the Portland Police DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. Distinguished Service (14-18) Robbie ThompsonInvestigator Robbie Thompson has worked for the District Attorney’s Office since 1982. During her tenure, Investigator Thompson has worked on hundreds of homicide and gang cases. establishing an astounding relationship with crime victims, crime victim's families, witnesses, and numerous agencies. Over the years, Officers and Detectives have sought out Investigator Thompson's advice on investigations and techniques to solve difficult cases. Investigator Thompson has always made herself available, spending countless hours of her personal time to assist community members in need as well as law enforcement personnel. During her tenure, Investigator Thompson has maintained a strong work ethic and passion for her job that has motivated detectives and other investigators to strive to do their best to solve cases and maintain justice for both the community as well as for the victims of serious crimes. Investigator Thompson has been able to continue her pace by keeping a positive attitude and passing her demeanor onto others.Investigator Thompson was selected to be one of the founding members of the Portland Police Bureau Cold Case Homicide Unit in 2004, and spent several years and immeasurable hours helping get the unit up and running. During her time in the Cold Case Homicide Unit, Investigator Thompson was instrumental in solving forty-plus cases that were earlier deemed unsolved or closed. Investigator Thompson's current assignment is DA Investigator Major Cases. Investigator Thompson has investigated, participated in the investigations, and continues to investigate and assist on hundreds of homicide and major crime cases. Investigator Thompson has the unique ability to connect with people of all walks of life and convince them to do the right thing in the criminal justice system. She has had a lasting impact on numerous victims and witnesses. Many of them continue contact with her after the case is resolved and she always finds times to make their life better. Investigator Robbie Thompson, for the professionalism, compassion and dedication you have shown for many years and for your work to enhance public safety and community livability, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL.Distinguished Service (14-14) Sergeant Jay BatesSergeant Jay Bates is currently assigned to the Drugs and Vice Division where he supervises the Technical Operations Unit. Sergeant Bates is a leader in the Drugs and Vice Division, where he has demonstrated time and time again that he has a deep and abiding respect for the rule of law. Sergeant Bates’ most recent accomplishment is the development and oversight of the Technical Operation Unit--TOU. TOU provides support to numerous investigations in the Portland Police Bureau and assists with investigations at the state and federal level as well. Technology has changed the way investigators are combating all types of crime. TOU, with the guidance and support of Sergeant Bates, has provided assistance to hundreds of investigations to include: homicide, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, forgery, fraud and theft. While Sergeant Bates’ recent accomplishments are impressive, he also has a long-standing exemplary reputation within the Police Bureau that precedes his work in DVD. Sergeant Bates was hired in 1996 and worked patrol until 1999 when he was assigned to the Drugs and Vice Division. It did not take long for Officer Bates to distinguish himself as one of the top investigators within the division. In the first six months of 2001, two individuals died as a result of MDMA overdoses. Officer Bates along with DVD Officer Michael Krantz, took a lead role within the division investigating club drugs and rave culture. The extent of knowledge and experience that Officer Bates accumulated resulted in the acknowledgement from several agencies that he’d become an expert in the field. Officer Bates was asked to perform training and/or presentations to more than twenty groups including the Mayor of Portland, the US Attorney's Office, judges, local district attorneys, as well as many other community forums. In April, 2003, Officer Bates applied for a drug canine position within the Drugs and Vice Division, and embarked on a five-year assignment with Portland Police canine, Xtro. Officer Bates and Xtro were extremely effective in interdiction, assisting patrol officers, as well as DVD investigators in the discovery of hidden narcotics and proceeds from the distribution of illegal narcotics.During the years that Sergeant Bates was assigned to the Drugs and Vice Division as an officer, he became known as a mentor to new officers in the unit. Sergeant Bates has been a reliable resource for reviewing affidavits, warrant planning, providing community education, and performing his daily duties with integrity and accountability. Since being promoted to the rank of sergeant, he has continued to be an effective and dependable leader, focused on successful crime reduction strategies. Sergeant Bates, for your long-standing leadership, professionalism and commitment to building education and enforcement strategies to combat illegal drugs in our community, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.Distinguished Service (11-47) Retired Sgt. Doug JustusRetired Sergeant Doug Justus provided many years of dedicated service to the Portland Police Bureau and community during his 25-year career. As a uniform patrol officer, he displayed energy and skill to make?numerous self-initiated felony arrests. Those qualities led to his selection as a member of the original Gang Enforcement?Team in Portland. Sergeant Justus participated in, wrote and?executed dozens of high-risk search warrants to arrest violent offenders, seize?narcotics and firearms, and the assets garnered from the sale of drugs. Their efforts?led to the arrest and conviction of numerous gang leaders and associates, and significantly reduced the levels of crime and?violence in neighborhoods wracked by shootings and killings by gangs.?In 1994, he was promoted to Sergeant and showed the same level of?professional skill and zeal to solve cases as he had on the street. Sergeant Justus aggressively?worked cases to incarcerate offenders, recover stolen property, and provide?comfort and closure to the victims and their families.?During his tenure as the sergeant for North Precinct's Detectives and Neighborhood Response Team, Sergeant Justus combined the resources of his detectives?and NRT officers in a concentrated effort to attack the root of most crime within the?precinct, which was drugs. Problem addresses were identified, and were made the focal?points of intensive team investigations, combining the aggressive use of search?warrants and follow-up actions under the chronic nuisance ordinance, trespass?agreements, and the use of other agencies to assist property owners in managing?their properties. This led to the quick resolution of problem situations, and inspired?confidence in the community by providing concrete examples of how they could improve their own neighborhoods through working with the police.?Sergeant Justus created a working committee consisting of other city?bureaus and county agencies to?identify problem addresses, develop strategies that would complement a law?enforcement solution, and then manage them on a monthly basis. Under his leadership, a comprehensive set of trespass agreements with? motel owners on N. Interstate Ave was created to allow police to take?appropriate action as needed to reduce crime along the Interstate MAX corridor.?Sergeant Justus built lasting relationships with the North Portland Business Association?and the Swan Island Business Owners that enhanced cooperation and reduced the?frustration they often felt when trying to get assistance from the police.?Sergeant Justus worked as the vice sergeant for the Drugs and Vice Division for his last?three years at the Bureau. With his usual desire to excel, he formed a team that?actively attacked prostitution. His efforts were so successful that his team was?renamed the Human Trafficking detail and placed in the?Detective Division. Sergeant Justus' efforts revealed the unknown level of compelled prostitution and human trafficking in Portland, and opened up an important dialogue.Sergeant Doug Justus, for your dedication and work over the years to make Portland a safer and more livable community, you are hereby awarded the Police Bureau’s distinguished service medal.Life Saving Medal (14-41)Officer Neal GlaskeOn the evening of November 29th, 2013 a 9-1-1 caller reported a man looked as if he was preparing to jump off the 12th Avenue overpass above the Benfield Freeway to commit suicide. Officer Glaske was in the area conducting routine traffic patrol and responded to assist. Officer Glaske arrived and noticed the man had climbed over the railing and was making statements he intended to kill himself by jumping off the overpass. Officer Glaske immediately began talking with the man and quickly developed a rapport with him. Officer Glaske slowly began approaching the man, explaining it was difficult to talk from so far away. As they continued to talk, he edged a little closer to the man. Officer Glaske got the man to talk about what was troubling him and offered to get him some help. The man said his 27-year marriage had ended and he wanted only to hurt himself. Officer Glaske continued to speak with the man and after awhile, he was able to get the man to climb back onto the sidewalk and away from the railing. The man met Officer Glaske and together they walked to the waiting police car that would transport him to a hospital where he would receive emergency psychiatric treatment. Officer Glaske’s quick decision to take charge of the situation and immediately initiate crisis negotiations with him kept the man from ending his life on this day. The man later told police he felt Officer Glaske genuinely cared for his welfare and wanted to help him.Officer Glaske, for your quick actions in preventing a man from jumping to his death, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police LIFESAVING MEDAL.Life Saving Medal (14-32) Detective Todd Gradwahl, Officers Aaron Sparling, Dennis Wilcox, Gabi Hertzler, James Hurley, Joshua Faris, Thomas Snitily, Chad Gradwahl, and Nicholas Frankus In the early morning hours of April 22nd, 2013, the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiations Team were activated to respond to a motel on SE Powell Boulevard, on a barricaded subject. Central Precinct officers had learned that the subject staying in the room had a parole violation warrant for murder and assault with a firearm. Officers contacted the suspect and attempted to get him to surrender. The suspect did not comply with the officer's request, told them to evacuate the motel, and placed a can of lighter fluid on the window sill. SERT arrived and relieved Central Precinct officers. The incident commander directed SERT to move the armored car in front of the room with SERT personnel and a CNT negotiator. The suspect did not come out of the motel room, despite repeated requests to do so. Negotiators spoke with the suspect on the phone off and on for several hours. He told them he wasn't going back to prison, had been using heroin all day, and that "today was a good day to die." SERT officers observed him pour some lighter fluid on the floor of his room during the stand-off. In addition he was armed with a hatchet, which he used to chop the window sill of his room. The suspect asked the negotiator if officers would shoot him if he came outside holding the hatchet. After several hours, the incident commander directed SERT to breach the door to the room. Officers could see into the room, but did not see the suspect. He emerged from the bathroom and threw the hatchet in the direction of the officers at the armored car. The suspect concealed himself in the bathroom again, and officers began to see a stream of lighter fluid spraying from the bathroom onto the floor, wall, and furniture of the motel room. Officers started to see the glow of a fire come from the bathroom, and then the motel room erupted in flames. The area around the door and the door itself were on fire. Officers yelled for the man to come out, but he refused to do so. The incident commander directed SERT to deliver CS gas into the back of the motel room in an attempt to drive the man out. Detective Todd Gradwahl and Officers Chad Gradwahl, Gabe Hertzler, Jim Hurley, and Josh Faris, left the protection of the armored car and approached the burning motel room. Officer Hurley, Officer Faris, and Detective Gradwahl provided cover for Officer Gradwahl and Officer Hertzler to accomplish the mission. Officer Gradwahl tossed a CS canister toward the motel room. Officer Hertzler used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames around the door. The fire subsided for a short time, but quickly regained its intensity due to the accelerant and materials the suspect was feeding the fire. Intense heat and thick black smoke billowed from the window as the suspect emerged from the bathroom. He was able to reach the window and lean outside, but could not go any further. Officers Nick Frankus, Tom Snitily, Dennis Wilcox, Aaron Sparling and Chad Gradwahl left the safety of their position and approached the front window where the man was. Officer Snitily covered the officers while they were able to grab him, and pull him through the window without sustaining any injuries from the broken glass. Officer Chad Gradwahl used a fire extinguisher to keep the flames at bay until the fire bureau personnel arrived and extinguished the blaze. The officers involved in this incident took substantial risks in trying to help a suspect who knew he was going back to prison, was armed with multiple weapons, and showed a willingness to use those weapons against the officers. Detective Todd Gradwahl, Officers Aaron Sparling, Dennis Wilcox, Gabi Hertzler, James Hurley, Joshua Faris, Thomas Snitily, Chad Gradwahl and Nicholas Frankus, for your demonstrated tremendous professionalism, dedication, and compassion in saving a man’s life, you are hereby awarded the PORTLAND POLICE LIFESAVING MEDAL.Life Saving Medal (14-30) Officers Ramsey Boak, Tom Brennan and Nancy Luciano On the afternoon of March 17th, 2013, at Officers Ramsey Boak and Tom Brennan were dispatched to the west end of the St. Johns Bridge, regarding a woman who was trying to commit suicide by jumping off the bridge. The original 911 call was made by Nancy Luciano, who was driving on the bridge when she saw the apparent suicidal subject starting to climb over the railing on the bridge. Ms. Luciano realized the woman was trying to kill herself, and immediately stopped her car and got out to talk with her. While engaging the suicidal subject in conversation, Ms. Luciano called for police on her cell phone. Officer Brennan arrived on scene first and could see the woman straddling the railing, while the caller was still trying to talk her down. Officer Brennan realized if immediate action was not taken, the woman would jump to her death. He ran up to where the woman was straddling the railing, and grabbed her around the shoulder area to keep her from jumping off the bridge. Officer Brennan could see that Officer Boak was right behind him, so he held on to the woman until Officer Boak could grab her and lift her away from the railing. They then transported the woman to a local hospital. Officers Tom Brennan and Ramsey Boak for your quick actions in preventing a woman from jumping to her death and Ms. Nancy Luciano, for taking the time and effort to intervene and call for emergency responders, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police LIFESAVING MEDAL.Life Saving Medal (14-19) Officer Kevin Allen Officer Kevin Allen responded to call regarding an unknown woman who was unconscious and possibly overdosed on an unknown substance. When Officer Allen responded, he found two women in an apartment, one clearly high and the other unconscious and not breathing. A CPR instructor, officer Allen broadcast updated information and began chest compressions until medics arrived. Responding medical arrived and took over, but if Officer Allen had not begun CPR, the woman’s condition would have likely deteriorated. Officer Kevin Allen for your quick actions in rendering aid to an unconscious woman in an attempt to save her life, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police LIFESAVING MEDAL.Life Saving Medal (14-16, 14-17) Officer Alfonso Valadez, Officer George Weseman In the afternoon of August 26th, 2013, Officer Alfonso Valadez was dispatched to the field behind Ron Russell Middle School regarding an unconscious male suffering from an apparent drug overdose. Officer Weseman also responded from nearby and found the male. The officers determined the man was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Officer Weseman advised dispatch of their location for medical to respond and began chest compressions. Officer Valadez tilted the man's head back to open his airway and began to monitor the man for a pulse. Medical response was delayed because the location was not easily accessible or visible from the street. Officer Weseman continued chest compressions for about two minutes before the male began to occasionally gasp for air. Officer Valadez then relieved Officer Weseman and continued the chest compressions. After several minutes, the officers switched again with Officer Weseman resuming the compressions. By the time medical arrived, the man had regained a pulse and continued to gasp for air.Officer Alfonso Valadez and Officer George Weseman, for your actions in rendering aid to an unconscious man in order to save his life, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police LIFESAVING MEDAL.Life Saving Medal (14-11) Officers David Brooks, Greg Moore and Timothy Engstrom On March 25th, 2013, Officers Engstrom, Brooks and Moore responded to a welfare check at the Comfort Inn at in southwest Portland. A mother called concerned that her daughter was suicidal because she had a history of making suicidal threats and was sad over a break up that occurred earlier in the night. The mother said her daughter did not make mention of specific threats to commit suicide, but she was concerned. Officer Moore learned that Lake Oswego Police had responded to a domestic disturbance call earlier in the night involving the couple. He confirmed no crime was committed, and that the woman left to go to a hotel and ultimately, get a flight back to Tennessee where she was from. Officers Engstrom, Brooks and Moore responded to the hotel and spoke to the staff. After having her cell phone pinged, which indicated it was in the room, all three officers attempted to make contact with the woman, but received no response at the door. The officers obtained the room key, but the key would not open the door, indicating that the dead bolt was locked from the inside. Officer Engstrom called for a fire truck to provide a ladder, and the officers looked into the window and saw the lights on and blankets on the floor. They could not see the entire room. Officers Engstrom, Brooks and Moore felt they needed to gain entry, concerned the woman was inside out of view and potentially in danger. The officers were able to re-contact the hotel staff, who was able to obtain equipment to open the internal locks.When the officers entered the room, they found several suicide notes that had been left on the table. They found the woman inside the closet hanging by a bed sheet. Officer Engstrom untied the knots on the bed sheet lowering the woman down. And though at first she was unresponsive, she began breathing. Medical personnel entered the hotel room and rendered aid, and the woman was transported to the hospital. Officers Engstrom, Brooks and Moore were presented with a call in which they did not have specific facts that a woman was suicidal. They were presented with a mother's hunch and additional supportive information. They took the extra time to obtain as much information as they could, and went above and beyond to check the welfare of this woman, ultimately saving her life.Officers David Brooks, Timothy Engstrom and Greg Moore, for your actions to save a young woman’s life, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police LIFESAVING MEDAL.Life Saving Medal (14-10) Officer Tyrone Willard, Officer William Johnson and Bonnie Holtgrew On the evening of July 10, 2013, Officer Tyrone Willard self-dispatched to a call regarding a person who was possibly going to jump off the Glisan Street overpass of 1-205. Upon arrival, he saw a man standing outside the railing directly over the southbound 1-205 lanes of busy evening traffic. A woman passing by, Bonnie Holtgrew, was trying to talk to the man out of jumping as the officer arrived. She had also called 9-1-1. Officer Willard immediately began to engage the subject in conversation in hopes to distract him from jumping. Meanwhile, he was mentally rehearsing a plan regarding how he would stop the man from jumping that would cause the least danger to himself or others. While the verbally unresponsive subject stood outside the rail, he turned his head looking at the freeway. The man let go of the rail and began to slowly fall forward. Officer Willard knew the man was going to fall to his death in addition to causing additional life-threatening events with vehicles on the freeway avoiding the falling man. Officer Willard had to suddenly put his plan into action, and he ran toward the man grabbing him in almost a bear hug. Once this happened, he dropped his weight to his knees on the street side of the rail to avoid being pulled over the rail by the man’s weight. At this point the male was hanging by his arm. Officer William Johnson was arriving as this was happening and he quickly ran up also taking hold of the subject. With Officer Johnson's assistance, both officers were able to bring the man back over the railing and into safe custody. Moments later, while seated in the back seat of the patrol car, the 61-year-old man thanked the officers for saving his life. Officer Tyrone Willard and William Johnson and Ms. Bonnie Holtgrew, for your combined efforts to save this man’s life so he could get the help he so critically needed, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police LIFE SAVING MEDAL.Life Saving Medal (14-09) Officer James West Officer James West was on patrol last 4th of July on SE 82nd Avenue, when he came across a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian, a 10-year-old boy, had been struck in the crosswalk by a passing car and hurled through the air approximately 45 feet, suffering head injuries. Officer West called for medical responders and additional units. Initially, the boy’s breathing was labored and he was unconscious. His breathing ceased at one point and Officer West administered CPR. During this time, he was able to locate and broadcast the license plate of the vehicle and preserve what was now a crime scene. He continued CPR until relieved by responding paramedics.The boy was transported to Doernbecher's Children's Hospital, and was in critical condition with life threatening injuries. However, by July 9th, the boy was doing fabulous according to the charge nurse. The nurse also stated if Officer West had not taken the prompt action, the boy could have died.Officer West, for your quick action in saving a boy who had been struck by a car and gravely injured, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police Bureau’s LIFESAVING MEDAL.Police Star (14-37) Officer John BillardOn October 30th, 2012, Central Precinct officers contacted a suspicious male downtown. While these Officers attempted to take this subject into custody, the subject brandished a dagger and threatened officers. Officer Billard, who was in the area, self-dispatched himself to cover on this incident. The subject then fled on foot from the Central Officers and a foot pursuit followed. Officer Billard was able to catch up with the subject, and as he attempted to end the foot pursuit, the suspect resisted arrest and Officer Billard lost his footing. Officer Billard fell into a nearby road sign and ultimately landed on the roadway. The impact against the road sign caused numerous broken ribs and a punctured lung. Officer Billard also hit his head in the fall, causing a severe laceration and concussion. Officer Billard was transported and admitted to the hospital as a result of his injuries. After he was released, he was off work for two months and required extensive physical therapy. Officer Billard, for the grave injuries you sustained trying to take an armed man into custody, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police Bureau’s POLICE STAR.Civilian Medal-Heroism (14-13) Scott AdamsOn the morning of August 19th, 2013, East Precinct officers responded to a bank robbery at the Bank of the West. The suspect jumped out of a vehicle and ran toward a construction site near the Portland Community College administrative buildings, which were nearby. This is a very busy area with heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Officers do not have a lot of success locating people who flee in such an area and hide because a K-9 track is nearly impossible.Scott Adams was working at the PCC construction site on this day. He noticed the suspect running through the construction site and lost sight of him when the suspect rounded the corner of a building. Mr. Adams heard someone yelling that the bank nearby had just been robbed and immediately knew he had just seen the robbery suspect. Mr. Adams started running toward the area he last saw the suspect running. He confronted the man, who told him if he intervened, there was going to be a fight. The man turned to leave and Mr. Adams ran ahead of him, preventing him from escaping. The suspect attempted to punch Mr. Adams, but he reacted quickly and punched the suspect, causing him to double over. Mr. Adams moved behind the man and restrained him. The two men fell to the ground. One of Mr. Adams' co-workers joined him and they held the suspect until police arrived to take the bank robber into custody. The suspect also had an outstanding felony warrant from Nevada.Bank robberies are inherently dangerous due to the fact that bank robbers oftentimes are in possession of guns or dangerous weapons. People who commit bank robberies are desperate and will go to great lengths to escape arrest since they know a bank robbery charge is a federal crime mandating years in prison. Mr. Adams could have easily been injured by the suspect, due to the extremely hazardous situation. Yet Mr. Adams continued to take action to stop this bank robber.Mr. Scott Adams, for your selflessness and bravery to stop a felon, thereby putting your own personal safety at risk, you are hereby awarded the Portland Police Civilian Medal for Heroism.That concludes our ceremony. The Chief is available for photos. Police Bureau members please come up to receive your ribbon bars. ................
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