Certificate of Appreciation – Nick Anton

Mr. Nick Anton, a delivery man for Jimmy Johns, was making a delivery in Dinkytown when he heard a woman screaming for help. Mr. Anton saw passersby pointing out a man who was leaving the area. Mr. Anton called 911 and followed the suspect on his bike even after he got into a car. Mr. Anton updated the suspect’s location and description with dispatch and the responding Officers were able to catch the suspects just as they left the city.

Mr. Anton’s quick actions and willingness to get involved allowed officers to arrest these robbery suspects and the Minneapolis Police Department would like to present him with this Certificate of Appreciation for his efforts.

Chief’s Award of Merit - Lieutenant Todd GrossSergeant Patricia HellenNicole ArchboldMaryLou FialaJennifer Rudlong-SmithDavid Shepherd

The above personnel make up the Respiratory Protection Group that was formed to address significant shortcomings in the respiratory protection systems issued to MPD officers. The group determined that some officers didn’t have equipment, some were using non-serviceable equipment and many were not adequately trained and proficient in using the equipment. They also determined there wasn’t a reliable system for tracking the equipment issued. Addressing these shortcomings posed significant challenges for the group.

The group began meeting regularly, despite this not being a part of their regular duties, to address this recognized need for improvement in the equipment and training for officers.

In 2011 they were able to coordinate with the city doctor to develop and implement a medical screening system to track whether officers were medically qualified to use respirators. Initially, respiratory medical screening for all officers was made available during in-service training. By 2012 this had been built into the monthly health fairs which are open to all employees. Additionally in 2012 the group successfully lobbied to acquire grant funding to purchase 300 new respirators.

Throughout the two-year process this group worked tirelessly to rewrite the respiratory protection guidebook, which outlines roles and responsibilities for every officer and supervisor. Part of the program roll-out will include precinct level training on proper care and storage.

Given modern day threats, the respirator has become a standard piece of equipment for officers. As a direct result of the efforts of this group, the MPD has increased its response capability and the end result is that Officers will be safer and the City better protected. For all of their hard work these employees are most deserving of the Chief’s Award of Merit.

Chief’s Award of Merit - Sergeant Brian AndersonSergeant Jonathon Kingsbury

Sgt. Anderson joined the Training Unit in August of 2010 as both the Use of Force Coordinator and the In-Service Training Sergeant. He took on the challenges of changing the Use of Force policy and improving in-service training.

Sgt. Anderson worked closely with an outside consultant and the administration to develop a defense and control guide that is currently used to instruct Use of Force in the MPD.

Sgt. Anderson also took on supervising a new CED coordinator and a new CIT coordinator. He analyzed both positions and significant changes were made under his supervision.

In the fall 2011 In-Service, Sgt. Anderson coordinated and supervised scenario based training for the MPD. This involved intensive planning/coordination, and was well received. Sgt. Anderson has also been developing an on-line training program for the MPD which will be cutting edge in delivering instruction and training throughout the MPD. Sgt. Anderson was also instrumental in bringing the “Under 100” Program and Medi-Pak training to the MPD.

Sgt. Kingsbury took over the Use of Force coordinator position in June of 2011. He worked with the Training Unit, the City Attorney’s office and police administration in updating the MPD Use of Force policy.

Sgt. Kingsbury brought a three-tiered approach to defensive tactics. He recruited the instructors for each of these programs and worked with them to ensure the success of the programs.

The Training Unit has received great feedback from the MPD personnel on the improved and focused Defensive Tactics Program.

Sgt. Anderson and Sgt. Kingsbury have shown dedication and commitment to the MPD and the Training Unit and are both clearly deserving of this Chief’s Award of Merit.

Chief’s Award of Merit –

Sergeant Shannon Barnette Sergeant Christie NelsonOfficer John Chamberlain Officer Amber DeGidio WickOfficer Nicholas Englund Officer John HauglandOfficer Dennis Kreft Officer Karina LandmesserOfficer Michael Pfaff Officer Ka YangPark Agent David Grimstad Robin Brimmer

In July the Minneapolis Police Explorers participated in the National Explorers competition which was held at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. There were over 4500 Police Explorers from around the US competing in various scenarios. Two MPD teams participated in six mock scenarios (traffic accident reconstruction, crime prevention meeting, domestic assault, narcotics search warrant, hostage crisis and crime scene search) a physical agility course, FATS, and various academic sessions. They scored very well and this would not have been possible without the support and dedication of the Explorer Advisory Team.

The Explorer Advisory Team volunteers each week to meet with the Explorers and coach them in a variety of topics and skills building exercises.

In 2012 the Explorer Advisory Team stepped up recruitment efforts almost doubling the size of the program. They have also launched a new fundraising initiative to help support the program.

These advisors are laying the groundwork for the future of MPD by recruiting and mentoring future police officers. The success of an Explorer Post could not be achieved without the sworn and civilian staff who volunteer their time each week in support of this program. This team is clearly deserving of the Chief’s Award of Merit.

Chief’s Award of Merit -

Sergeant Jan CallawayOfficer Blake Moua Officer Brianna GarmanOfficer David Garman Officer Leila KassoOfficer Jodene Malloy Officer Bonita WettlinOfficer Eric Hagel Traffic Control Agent Amanda Chavez

Back in June more than 100 motorcycle riders and passengers participated in the Second Annual PAL Ryder Motorcycle Fund-raising event. This event, hosted by the Minneapolis Police Activities League (PAL), has become a significant fund-raising event for PAL. The money raised from this event allowed PAL to replace outdated and unsafe football equipment which averted a temporary shutdown of the football program.

There is a tremendous amount of work that has to be put into hosting a major fund-raising event. Staff had to plan, create promotional materials, make logistical arrangements, obtain raffle prizes, design t-shirts for the event, sell merchandise etc; the list is endless. Without the commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of the staff behind the scenes, this event would not have taken place, much less be the success that it was.

The team recruited volunteers including members of other law enforcement agencies and private organizations to staff rest points where food and beverages were provided.

An event like PAL Ryder could not be accomplished without this team’s hard work and dedication and all are most deserving of the Chief’s Award of Merit.

Chief’s Award of Merit - Officer Thomas BernardsonOfficer Daniel Dick

Back on June 27th, Officers Bernardson and Dick responded to a personal injury hit and run accident. The victim was getting into his car when a vehicle struck him, throwing him approximately 30 feet into the air leaving him severely injured.

Both Officers immediately provided medical aid until EMS arrived, set up a crime scene perimeter and called in an accident reconstruction specialist from the MPD Traffic Unit. They contacted witnesses and gathered their statements then they took it a step further. They knew their district and were aware that a local resident was known to have surveillance cameras on his residence. They contacted him and he agreed to review the video footage from his cameras. Captured on the video was the image of the suspect vehicle hitting the victim and leaving the scene.

Photographs from this footage were distributed to the media and eventually tips led investigators to the suspect, a U of M student from Wisconsin. Last week the suspect surrendered to MPD after being charged with Criminal Vehicular Operation.

For going above and beyond these two officers are most deserving of the Chief’s Award of Merit.

Chief’s Award of Merit - Officer Officer acting on a tip from a concerned citizen regarding suspicious activity in NE Mpls, set up the surveillance on this address and witnessed suspicious activity there as well. From his observations and investigation he was able to obtain a search warrant which uncovered a large and extremely sophisticated marijuana “grow” operation. Three suspects were arrested and over 40 lbs. of marijuana and a truckload of hydroponic growing equipment were seized.

Officer also obtained information on additional “grow” operations and with the assistance from multiple jurisdictions executed six more search warrants in Ramsey, Anoka and Isanti Counties. All together over 100 lbs. of marijuana, over $30,000 in cash, and a warehouse full of equipment were seized.

Officer’s dedication and tenacity were essential to this case. His multi-jurisdictional investigation brought credit upon himself and the department and for this he is most deserving of the Chief’s Award of Merit.

Citizen’s Lifesaving Award – Dr. Johanna MooreAmanda TapiaPedro Tapia

Back in May there was a medical call on the Broadway Bridge that there was a person down and the remarks included there was a civilian doing CPR on the victim.

When Sgt. Heil arrived, Dr. Moore was giving chest compressions to the victim and Amanda and Pedro Tapia were assisting her. When Minneapolis Fire and Sgt. Heil approached to help with CPR, Dr. Moore turned and stated she was a Doctor at HCMC. She continued CPR with Fire assisting until EMS arrived. EMS worked on the victim for 15 minutes and got his heart restarted and were then able to transport him to the hospital.

Dr. Moore along with Amanda and Pedro Tapia were instrumental in saving this man’s life and are clearly deserving of this Citizen’s Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving - Sergeant Shannon BarnetteOfficer Yvonne EdwardsOfficer Officer Matthew LindquistOfficer Kong MouaOfficer Abubakar MuridiOfficer Michael RocklinOfficer Travis Williams

Last March an officer was dispatched to assist a Department of Corrections Officer with an attempt pick-up on a fugitive who had absconded from his halfway house. This fugitive was observed going into his sister’s home on 22nd Ave. N. and was known to carry firearms. Further the DOC officer had information that the residence was occupied by several individuals.

The initial responding officer requested additional officers to assist; they were briefed and formulated a plan of action. As officers approached the house from the front they could hear dogs barking and then saw two pit-bulls running at them preparing for attack. The officers had no choice but to discharge their firearms to protect themselves and others from being attacked by the dogs.

During this gunfire, an officer sustained a gunshot wound to his calf and fell to the ground. Several officers immediately went to the injured officer’s aid providing medical attention and removed the injured officer’s belt to create a make-shift tourniquet as he was bleeding profusely. The officers also placed themselves between the house and the injured officer as the suspect was not yet in custody.

Shortly thereafter officers carried the injured officer away from the residence to a pre-determined safe zone so he could be transported to the hospital. The medical staff commended these officers for the quick medical attention they provided. The actions of these officers clearly contributed to saving the injured officer’s life and are all most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving - Sergeant Gerald MooreOfficer Anthony CaspersOfficer Ricardo MuroOfficer Daniel Ungurian

Back in April officers responded to a “Jumper” call on the Groveland Avenue bridge over I-94. The jumper appeared suicidal and stood on the outside of bridge safety fence holding on with his hands. All attempts to get him back onto the bridge were unsuccessful. Officers contacted the SWAT unit along with the Fire Department to assist.

Two holes were cut out of the chain link fence gain access to the jumper. Meanwhile the State Patrol had semi-truck drivers on I-94 park their rigs below the bridge to lessen the height of the fall should the jumper let go.

The jumper started to move south to the part of the bridge where the semi-truck drivers were not parked. As he did so he went past one of the openings that had been cut in the fence. A Minneapolis Firefighter close to the opening grabbed the jumper by the arm, resulting in a struggle. Officers ran to the hole to stop the firefighter from being pulled through.

Sgt. Moore leaning into the hole in the fence grabbed onto the firefighter and helped hold onto the jumper. Within seconds, Officer Muro jumped into the hole to stop Sgt Moore, the firefighter and the jumper from falling. Officer Ungurian joined in and grabbed legs to also prevent them all from falling. The jumper continued to resist, trying to pull back and twist out of his jacket. Officer Caspers wearing only a t-shirt went over the top of the chain link fence to assist the team in pulling the jumper back in.

The team managed to physically pull the resisting jumper back through the hole in the fence to safety. For his efforts Officer Caspers received numerous cuts on his abdomen and hands from the fence top.

At great risk to themselves these officers quickly became a team and prevented this man from jumping and in so saved his life earning this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Sergeant Gerold MooreSergeant David SchmidtOfficer (retired) John Murzyn

Back in July Sgt. Moore was on patrol when he noticed an occupied truck parked at the curb on 4th Ave South at 24th St. East, an area known for narcotics and prostitution activity. Sgt. Moore turned around to investigate and found the truck gone but an unconscious adult male lying half naked at the curb where the truck had been. Sgt. Moore aired the description of the truck and the occupants believing it might have been a robbery and also called for an ambulance.

Sgt. Moore quickly assessed this person’s medical condition and found the male to be non-responsive with a faint pulse and that he was not breathing. He alerted dispatch and started CPR alone until Sgt. Schmidt and Officer Murzyn arrived to assist.

The victim was transported to the ER at HCMC and survived.

After initial investigation it was found that the victim had overdosed, most likely on heroin, and was dumped from the truck and left for dead at the curb.

These officers clearly saved this person’s life and are most deserving of this Lifesaving Award. This is Sgt. Moore’s 2nd Lifesaving award today. Officer Murzyn has since retired after serving 25 years with the Minneapolis Police Department.

Lifesaving Award – Sergeant Chris Pickhardt

This past June officers responded to jumper call on the Washington Ave Bridge over the Mississippi River.

Sgt. Pickhardt, a SWAT negotiator, assisted the U of M police in talking with this despondent male who was on the outside railing of the bridge over the water, repeatedly threatening to jump.

For over an hour Sgt. Pickhardt remained on the scene and was able to get the male to voluntarily climb back over the railing so he could be taken to the hospital to get the care he needed.

The male later said he climbed back over the railing because he did not want to disrespect Sgt. Pickhardt and he trusted him.

Sgt. Pickhardt’s quick response and skillful negotiation with this man led to his getting the medical attention he needed. For his work that day, clearly saving this man’s life, Sgt. Pickhardt is most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Sergeant Kent WarnbergOfficer Roland Hillstrom

Back in July Sgt. Warnberg and Officer Hillstrom responded to an emotionally disturbed person call. Remarks in the call indicated the victim was sending text messages to family members indicating he was going to commit suicide.

Officers arrived and attempted to make contact with the victim. After failing to locate the man in the house, the officers checked the garage and found the victim inside with 2 running vehicles. The victim was on the floor, unconscious with labored shallow breathing and a faint pulse. Due to the limited space in the garage and the contaminated environment it was very difficult to carry the 6’4”, 230 pound victim to safety. Officers Geere and Heiple came to the garage and assisted them in carrying the victim outside.

EMS transported the victim to HCMC. Both Sgt. Warnberg and Officer Hillstrom were also treated at HCMC for exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide. Both of these officers are well deserving of the Lifesaving Award for displaying obvious self-sacrifice to save this man’s life.

Lifesaving - Officer KeHeung AndersonOfficer Jonahs NovakOfficer Christine PatinoOfficer John Trangsrud

Back on July 5th these Officers responded to a domestic related call. Officers were speaking to the male half when, without warning, he attempted to take his own life by jumping head first out of a second floor window onto a small balcony where he began screaming that he didn’t want to live anymore. Once on the balcony, the male tried to pull himself over a railing in an attempt to harm himself by dropping onto the concrete sidewalk below.

With little regard for their own safety, Officers Novak and Transgrud quickly reached through the broken glass window to grab the man to prevent him from jumping over the balcony railing. Officers Patino and Anderson also assisted by opening another window so they could pull the man back to safety. Once he was pulled back into the building he started fighting with the officers yelling that he just wanted to die. By this time he was also bleeding heavily from the injuries sustained by jumping through the window.

The officers were able to subdue the man and turn him over to EMS for transport for further treatment.

The quick actions from these Officers clearly saved this person’s life and all are most deserving of the Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Kenneth AwaltOfficer Kong Moua

These officers were dispatched to a check the welfare call that had incomplete address info from an out of state caller. The caller was concerned about a friend who was posting comments on Facebook indicating a recent broken relationship and implying intent to commit suicide. The officers spoke to the caller by phone and went to the address the caller provided. The home appeared uninhabited and neighbors stated that they had not seen the person in question for some time.

The officers believed at this point the address was incorrect but decided to run a DVS check to see if the subject had any cars listed to him at the address. DVS showed one vehicle listed to the address and officers found the vehicle behind the home. With these facts the officers were granted authority to force entry into the home.

Officers entered the home and heard noises from downstairs. In the downstairs of the home the officers saw a man inside a tub of water attempting to drown himself. The Officers had to struggle with the subject to get him out of the tub as he was hallucinating. Eventually he was turned over to EMS for medical transport.

These officers did an outstanding job of handling this very difficult call, saving this person’s life and are deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award – Officer Chad Berdahl

Earlier this year Officer Berdahl responded to a Check the Welfare call on Franklin Ave at West River Pkwy. The call remarks indicated that the person the officer would be checking on suffered from anxiety and depression and was threatening to harm herself. When Officer Berdahl arrived, he found the woman sitting on the retaining wall above the river with her legs and torso on the river side of the wall.

Officer Berdahl grabbed the woman from behind and pulled her off the wall and a physical fight ensued with the woman kicking and struggling to break free of Officer Berdahl’s grasp. Eventually the woman did break free and went back towards the ledge. Again Officer Berdahl grabbed the woman and managed to get one handcuff on her and called for assistance. With the help of other officers the woman was subdued and transported for evaluation.

During further investigation it was found that the woman had sent text messages along with a note saying “good-bye forever” to her friends. From this evidence it seems clear that the woman was planning on taking her own life that day and without Officer Berdahl’s quick actions she might have succeeded. Officer Berdahl clearly saved her life that day is most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Andrew BittellOfficer Shawn BrandtOfficer Josh MetcalfOfficer Lauren PetersonOfficer Matthew SeveranceOfficer George Warzinik

In February officers responded to a fight call on 3rd floor of an apartment bldg. When officers arrived numerous residents were holding the door and directing officers up the stairs to a man who was acting strangely.

As officers made their way up to the 3rd floor they could hear the male screaming for the Lord to save him while rocking back and forth, his fists clenched, his eyes a blank stare. The man did not acknowledge the officers. Immediately officers could tell this man needed medical attention and called for an ambulance.

As officers were trying to restrain the man for the medics he began fighting with them. All officers present were aware that this man was exhibiting signs of “Excited Delirium” and that he needed immediate medical attention. Instead of waiting for EMS to bring up the stretcher to the 3rd floor, the officers carried the male down to the waiting ambulance.

The ER Doctor said the actions of the officers and paramedics saved this man’s life. The EMS supervisor was so impressed that he returned to the Precinct to thank the officers and tell them that “if this had occurred in other areas of the country, the man would have died.”

The combined efforts of these officers saved this man’s life that day and they are most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Jeff Boeltl

Officer Boeltl responded to a jumper on the 3rd Ave. Bridge, and when he arrived he saw a man starting to take off his clothes and hang them on the rail of the bridge.

Officer Boeltl, who was alone because of shift change, got out of his squad and yelled to the man “not to do it.” By this time the man had crawled over the railing of the bridge and was facing out over the water with his hands behind him holding the railing.

Officer Boeltl reacted quickly and grabbed this male by the arms, then the neck. Due to the weather conditions the man was very sweaty and though Officer Boeltl tried to hang on and pull him back over the rail he was not able to do so. When Officer Boeltl lost his grip on the struggling man he fell 85 to 100 feet into the water. Immediately Officer Boeltl got on the radio and took charge of the scene, keeping the victim in his sight and directing rescuers to the man.

The man was pulled from the water alive.

Officer Boeltl’s went above and beyond his duty and clearly helped to save this man’s life that day and is deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award – Officer Paul Dellwo

On June 4th Officer Dellwo was on patrol when he heard sound of glass breaking, and witnessed flames coming out of an upper front window of a duplex.

Officer Dellwo notified dispatch, and then ran inside the duplex knocking on doors to make sure the residents got out.

Officer Dellwo then checked the welfare of the 16 residents of the building and re-directed traffic away from the fire scene.

For Officer Dellwo’s courageous act of running into a burning building to make sure all the residents got out safely, he is most deserving of the Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Troy DillardOfficer David HansenOfficer Yolanda Wilks

In May, Officer Dillard was on a traffic stop at 18th /Nicollet when a citizen came up and informed Officer Dillard that they had just seen a man climb over the bridge fence over I-94 and felt this male was going to jump off the bridge.

Officer Dillard approached the man, who was standing on the edge of the bridge over the freeway. Officer Dillard began speaking to this man and started to develop a rapport with him. Officer Hansen and Wilks also arrived and began to assist Officer Dillard.

The man stated to Officer Dillard that he wanted to die and that nobody loved him. He also indicated that he was afraid of the police. Officers showed genuine compassion towards the man and were able to convince him not to jump and to climb back over the fence. The Officers laid several coats & jackets on top of the fence and gently assisted him to safety.

These officers clearly saved this man’s life that day and are most deserving of this Lifesaving award.

Lifesaving Award – Officer James Golgart

In July Officers responded to a jumper on the 3rd Ave Bridge over Hwy 94. When officers arrived they located a man who had climbed over the protective railing and was sitting on the ledge over the freeway.

Officer Golgart, who is CIT certified, came to the call and began talking to the man. Officer Golgart learned the man was depressed over a domestic situation and that he wanted to kill himself.

Officer Golgart stayed with the conversation and eventually convinced the man to climb back over the railing so the two of them could have a more personal conversation.

Once he was over the railing, Officer Golgart continued talking to the man and spent another 10 minutes sitting on the curb continuing to listen and building trust with this obviously distraught individual.

Officers transported this male to the hospital for an evaluation. Once there the man commented to the staff that if not for Officer Golgart’s willingness to listen and talk to him that he would have jumped.

Officer Golgart clearly saved this man’s life that day and is most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award – Officer Bart Hauge

Back in July Officers Bart Hauge and Andy Canadeo were dispatched to a DOWN call at 13th Ave NE and Marshall St NE.

Officers arrived and saw a vehicle occupied by a female driver and a male passenger. The man was laying half out of the car on the ground. Officers quickly determined the male had a very weak pulse and was unresponsive. The female stated the man had just snorted heroin.

The officers removed the male from the car and Officer Hauge started chest compressions on him until the paramedics arrived.

The man was revived inside of the ambulance after receiving an injection of medication to counteract the heroin.

The paramedics praised Officer Hauge’s actions as having most likely saved the man from an overdose death that day and for his actions he is clearly deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Timothy HanksOfficer Lawrence LoonsfootOfficer Robert Mooney, Park PDOfficer Adam Swierczek, Park PDOfficer Sam Xiong, Park PDOfficer Steven Paasch, Park PD

Back in July officers were dispatched to a “Check the Welfare” call at Columbia Park. Remarks in the call stated the caller wanted to report a suicide and then said “that’s where you will find me.” As squads arrived, they checked the park and the surrounding areas without locating the man. Attempts to “ping” the caller’s cell phone were also unsuccessful. Officers went to the caller’s residence and located a suicide note.

At this point, squads were ordered to regroup near the dog park for a more extensive search. The area they were to search is an undeveloped, heavily wooded area adjacent to railroad property.

While conducting a foot search of the difficult terrain, Officer Hanks located the victim and requested EMS code 3.

The victim was extremely pale/ashen in color. He had a large laceration to his groin (near or including his femoral artery) with significant bleeding and a large amount of lost blood already pooled under him. Officers later learned his injuries had been self-inflicted with a razor knife.

These Officers all assisted in providing first aid to the victim, including applying a tourniquet and direct pressure to control the bleeding, and monitoring his level of consciousness.

For nearly two hours these officers diligently searched for the victim and when they found him they provided first aid that certainly saved this man’s life. For their work all of them are most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Seth PorrasOfficer Richard Taylor

Officer Porras and Taylor responded to a drug overdose call in the 4th

Pct. When they arrived they located a man who wasn’t breathing, had no pulse and was turning blue. Officer Porras and Taylor performed CPR for approximately 5 minutes until EMS arrived.

EMS continued with CPR and the patient was revived before he was transported to the hospital. Without their immediate lifesaving efforts this patient would not have survived and for this both officers are most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Michael MoralesOfficer Jason Reimer

Back in May, Officer Morales and Reimer were dispatched to a jumper call at the HCMC parking ramp. When they arrived they found a man who was sitting on a ledge with his feet dangling over the edge eight stories up.

Officer Reimer, who is CIT trained, took over talking to this male from HCMC security. The man appeared to be under the influence and was continuing to threaten to jump, a fall that almost certainly would have been fatal.

Officer Reimer was able to gain the trust of the man who allowed Officer Reimer to move closer to him. The man told Officer Reimer he had not been taking his meds.

The man was telling Officers Reimer and Morales that he was getting electrical “shocks” from his clothing and his shoes. Officer Reimer was able to convince the man to remove his shoes so that they would stop “shocking” him. The man agreed and removed one shoe and as he was handing it over to Officer Reimer he looked down to the ground. Officer Reimer, fearing the man was about to jump, grabbed the man’s arm. Officer Morales grabbed onto the man as well and with both of their efforts they were able to pull the man off the ledge to safety.

Both Officers showed patience and bravery with this very difficult situation and clearly saved this man’s life and are most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer

Department Award of Merit - Officer

Last May, Officers & responded to a baby not breathing call. When they arrived, they found a 2-year old that was reportedly found not breathing in the bathtub by the child’s mother. The child was not breathing and had no detectable pulse. Officer began CPR on the child until EMS arrived, took over care and transported the child to the hospital where the child’s heart was restarted.

Officer noted that the mother’s story did not seem to match the facts of the scene.

Officer, who had recently completed a career enrichment in Homicide, remained on the scene and spoke with several people and was able to elicit vital information that he passed on to investigators. With the information that Officer had acquired during the initial response to the call, the child’s parents were later charged with Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree and Assault in the 1st Degree.

Officer and Officer work on this call saved this child’s life and led to a criminal case that might otherwise have been overlooked. For this work they are clearly deserving of the Department Award of Merit and the Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Peter HafstadOfficer Robert HeipleOfficer

Officers in the Fourth Pct were dispatched to an Overdose call at Dowling/Lyndale Ave. N. where the victim was a passenger in a car and had injected heroin into his arm. The victim was in cardiac arrest and slumped over in the seat of the car. Officer pulled the man from the car with the assistance of Officers Hafstad and Heiple.

The victim’s pulse was “in and out”, he was not breathing and his skin color indicated a lack of oxygen. Officer Heiple monitored the man’s pulse/breathing while directing Officer Hafstad to open the man’s airway. Officer performed chest compressions until EMS arrived and transported the victim to the hospital.

It is very clear these Officers saved this person who had OD’d and all three are most deserving of this Lifesaving Award.

This is a new award, Excellence in Investigation. This award was created to recognize officers who conduct investigations that demonstrate remarkable skill and determination to complete. This Award may be given in cases where innovative or specialized investigative techniques are used, multiple jurisdictions are involved and/or the investigator demonstrates remarkable perseverance in the face of great challenges.

Excellence in Investigation – Sergeant Mark Gasior

In February, directors of a non-profit organization reported that the manager of their food services division had entered into unauthorized contracts and had used these contracts to embezzle more than $155,000 during 2011 and 2012.

Sgt. Gasior conducted a thorough and meticulous investigation which included twenty interviews, a forensic audit, verification of unauthorized transactions, a complex review of financial documents and numerous search warrants. Sgt. Gasior also provided updates to the director of the organization, the Hennepin County Attorney’s office and Police Administration.

The 3rd Pct Investigative Lt. was contacted by other unit commanders who praised the quality of Sgt. Gasior’s work and results of his investigation. Sgt. Gasior’s hard work and dedication, all which was done without incurring any overtime, brings credit to the department and the City of Minneapolis and is most deserving of this Excellence in Investigation Award.

Excellence in Investigation – Officer FBI Special Agent

Officer and Special Agent initiated a lengthy investigation into a gang that was very active and responsible for a majority of the gun violence in the 4th Pct.

Officer and Agent debriefed several members of the gang and ultimately developed a cooperating defendant.

Officers/agents were able to make purchases of handguns and narcotics and glean invaluable intelligence on other gang members. Their work enabled them to obtain a Federal wire-tap and monitor a suspect’s phone for two months, working long days/nights, including weekends, to monitor and coordinate with surveillance teams. On one occasion they monitored a call where a suspected gang member admitted he was in possession of a handgun. Using this real time information they coordinated a stop of the gang member before a shooting or possibly a homicide occurred.

These case agents worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the MPD’s Strategic Information Center on this case. As a consequence two individuals were federally indicted, pled guilty and are now serving their sentences.

The hard work and dedication of Officer and Agent made a significant impact on gang/gun violence in the 4th Pct. Both men are both very deserving of this Excellence in Investigation Award.

Excellence in Investigation – Sergeant Kelly O’RourkeOfficer

For years the north side of Minneapolis had been terrorized by the “Beat Down Posse,” (BDP) a criminal enterprise headed by Joseph Gustafson Sr. and his son Joseph Gustafson Jr. This group was engaged in mortgage fraud, extortion, burglary, murder, arson and kidnapping. Previous attempts to investigate the BDP have been thwarted by witness intimidation and evidence tampering.

Beginning with one assault case in 2008, Sgt. O’Rourke began unraveling the BDP conspiracy. Officer was the co-case agent on this case and together they worked the case for three years. Both officers gained the trust of some very reluctant witnesses and were able to use electronic and physical surveillance, search warrants and other investigative techniques to bring evidence to light. Painstakingly these two officers built a large and complex criminal conspiracy case.

In 2011, both Jr. & Sr. Gustafson were charged with more than 20 felonies in a racketeering case. As the first trial date approached, these officers worked around the clock to keep more than 30 witnesses safe and willing to testify. Additionally, as the trial neared there was a credible threat against the life of Sgt. O’Rourke. Sgt. O’Rourke and his family had to move from their home until the investigators felt it was safe to return.

The case was 100% successful, the two main targets were both convicted of various felonies including racketeering, kidnapping, mortgage fraud, arson, assault with weapons, narcotics and weapons trafficking. More than 50 victims were identified and 67 witnesses were used during trial. Another 11 participants were charged and convicted as a result of this investigation.

This case was extremely complex and brought to successful closure by the incredible hard work and dedication from these two officers. For their uncommon effort to end a long term criminal enterprise they are clearly deserving of this Excellence in Investigation Award.

Excellence in Investigation – Officer

In recent months the 2nd Pct. CRT Team has investigated an increasing number of hydroponic marijuana “grow” operations. Through surveillance of suspects in previous investigations, Officer had uncovered a legal business that supplied products that are often used in indoor marijuana cultivating operations.

In June, Officer was conducting surveillance on the supply business in NE Mpls. where he noticed a vehicle with an out-of-state plate enter the parking lot but the occupant stayed in the car before driving off. Officer continued with his surveillance and shortly thereafter the same vehicle came back. This time the driver went into the business and purchased equipment that is used in hydroponic “grow” operations. Officer followed this person to a location nearby and began surveillance on the house and its occupants.

Later Officer was able to obtain a search warrant for the house. During the warrant officers discovered and dismantled marijuana grow operation, seized 11 guns, and over 58 pounds of silver, worth over $35,000.

Officer’s skill and tenacity in this investigation resulted in this clandestine grow operation, that might have never been detected, being shut down. Officer is most deserving of the Excellence in Investigation Award.

Excellence in Investigation – Officer

In December of 2010 Officer was approached by an informant who had information about narcotics trafficking and sales being conducted by one of the largest criminal street gangs operating in North Minneapolis. This gang was thought to also be involved in illegal firearms possession and several murders.

Utilizing this informant, and several others, officers were able to make purchases of narcotics from this gang. After a lengthy period of surveillance was conducted, officers were able to identify the leadership of the gang. As a result of the evidence gathered in December of 2011 the US Attorney’s Office obtained a wiretap on members of the gang.

In the first round of prosecutions 11 gang members were indicted to include the entire leadership of this gang. Nine firearms were recovered, one of which had been used in four shootings in Minneapolis. Four ounces of crack cocaine, 9 ounces of powder cocaine and several thousand dollars in cash were also seized.

This investigation, which was started to help alleviate criminal gang activity in the 4th Pct., ended up extending all the way to California & Mexican drug cartel members. Multiple jurisdictions were involved in this case including the SAFE Streets Task Force, ATF, FBI, DEA, 4th Pct. CRT, the US Attorney’s Office, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and a number of local police departments.

Throughout this investigation Officer made himself available 24 hrs a day for close to a year to ensure this case was successful and for his work is clearly deserving of this Excellence in Investigation Award.

Citizen’s Award of Valor – John Sundahl

This past June an officer was pursuing a suspect who had fled from her and the suspect ran to the rear of Mr. Sundahl’s home. Mr. Sundahl heard the officer ordering the man to the ground. Mr. Sundahl saw the Officer deploy her Taser and the suspect violently rip the wires from the probes. The use of the Taser enraged the suspect. Mr. Sundahl thought the officer was in extreme danger as she was all by herself and the suspect appeared to outweigh her by more than 100 pounds.

The suspect lunged at the officer and grabbed onto her duty belt, causing her microphone to become detached from her radio. Seeing all of this Mr. Sundahl did not hesitate to assist. Mr. Sundahl put the suspect in a neck restraint, took him to the ground, and calmly told the suspect to relax. Mr. Sundahl continued to assist the officer in restraining the suspect until other officers arrived. The suspect was so large he required three sets of handcuffs to link his arms.

Officers recovered methamphetamines and a needle/syringe in suspect’s pocket which was consistent with the suspect’s behavior.

Mr. Sundahl went above and beyond what most citizens would consider doing to prevent this officer from being injured or even killed and is most deserving of this Citizen’s Award of Valor.

Citizen’s Award of Valor – Jeremiah Walker

Mr. Walker was working as a security officer at the Greyhound bus station when he heard a disturbance nearby and saw a stabbing victim and the suspect who was attempting to walk away. Mr. Walker grabbed the suspect and pushed him up against a wall and was able to knock the knife out of his hand. Mr. Walker was able to detain the suspect, call 911, check on the victim, secure the knife and maintain the crime scene until police officers arrived.

Due to Mr. Walker’s quick thinking and heroic actions, the victim survived this attack and was able to recover from his injuries. Additionally the suspect was taken out of circulation for the time being. For these actions Mr. Walker is deserving of this Citizen’s Award of Valor.

Medal of Valor – Officer Lawrence Petersen

Officer Petersen was dispatched to Lyndale and Franklin Aves on a check the welfare where the female 911 caller stated that “someone had cut all of her hair off” and was threatening to kill her.

As Officer Petersen got out of his car at the scene, the suspect approached him with a knife in his hand. Officer Petersen began yelling at the suspect to drop the knife. The suspect refused and began to walk towards Officer Petersen brandishing the knife. Officer Petersen continued to yell his commands at the suspect as he backed away from the suspect across two lanes of moving traffic. The suspect continued to approach Officer Petersen and he was finally forced to discharge his firearm to stop the suspect’s threat. Once the suspect was down, Officer Petersen immediately called for ambulance and administered first aid along with other officers on the scene.

This same suspect, who had indeed cut hair from this woman’s head, had been involved in another assault that morning where he stabbed a male in the head at a nearby church.

Officer Petersen exhibited fortitude and courage under very dangerous and stressful circumstances. He performed his duties to the highest degree and resorted to his training and skills which saved both his life and the lives of others in the area. For his courageous actions that day, Officer Petersen is most deserving of this Medal of Valor.