2003 Commendations
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2007 Commendations

WEEK OF 06/03/08-06/10/08   POLICE OFFICER PATRICIA SIMPSON

  During the month of April 2008, Officer Simpson did an outstanding job coordinating the efforts of City Council, the Solicitor’s Office and the Police Department during the annual liquor permit renewals.  Officer Simpson was instrumental in the development of the Standardized Liquor Objection Policy and Matrix which was requested by Councilmember Y. Laketa Cole.   Officer Simpson is commended for her dedication to duty, organization skills and expertise during the 2008 liquor permit renewals.

WEEK OF 05/20/08 – 05/27/08

POLICE OFFICER EVELYN COLONEL
DISTRICT FOUR

On April 2, 2008, Officer Colonel was on duty at District Four’s front desk when Ms. Shablis Banks entered the district lobby and informed Officer Colonel her ten day old son Demarco, was not breathing.  Officer Colonel immediately performed CPR on the infant.  Officer Colonel’s altruistic act revived Demarco and kept him in stable condition until the arrival of the Cincinnati Fire Department.  As the result of Officer Colonel’s quick response, the life of Demarco Henderson was saved.  This dedication and selfless act is greatly appreciated.  Police Officer Evelyn Colonel is worthy of this commendation for her actions.  Officer Colonel is truly an outstanding example of a Cincinnati Police Officer.

WEEK OF 02/26/08-03/04/08

SERGEANT TERRY DUKES
SERGEANT DANIEL McSHANE
DISTRICT FIVE

Sergeant Dukes and Sergeant McShane were patrolling the Clifton Heights, University Heights, and Fairview Heights (CUF) neighborhoods on January 21, 2008 at approximately 1950 hours.  As they patrolled, they were flagged down by a citizen who was accosted by three suspects attempting to rob him at gun point.  Both sergeants were aware of the rash of robberies plaguing District Five in the CUF and Northside neighborhoods as a result of reviewing daily crime reports.  Sergeant McShane advised PCS of his location and called for additional cars to respond to the area.  He and Sergeant Dukes approached the suspects and placed them under arrest.  The suspects were identified as being involved in two robberies in the CUF area that evening and were in possession of the handgun used in both offenses.  During further investigation, all three suspects admitted to additional robberies in the CUF, Northside, Roselawn and Finneytown areas. These suspects have been implicated in nine robberies.  The actions of Sergeant Dukes and Sergeant McShane have helped alleviate fear in these neighborhoods.

Sergeants Terry Dukes and Daniel McShane are deserving of my commendation for their sense of duty, alertness, and knowledge of district crime problems and crime trends which resulted in the removal of dangerous felons from the city’s streets.

WEEK OF 02/26/08-03/03/08

POLICE SERGEANT JEFFERY BRUNSWICK
POLICE OFFICER KAREN PARKER
POLICE OFFICER RYAN PARKS
DISTRICT FIVE

On February 11, 2008, Police Sergeant Jeffery Brunswick, Police Officer Karen Parker, and Police Officer Ryan Parks, were on duty when Police Communications Section received a call reporting a bank robbery at the Northside Bank and Trust, located at 4125 Hamilton Avenue. A male subject entered the bank, handed the teller a canvas bag, and demanded cash. The suspect fled the bank and was last seen traveling south on Hamilton Avenue. Sergeant Brunswick, Police Officers Parker and Parks, while responding to the scene, observed a person fitting the suspect’s physical description. With the efforts of additional officers the suspect was quickly taken into custody. The suspect was identified as Michael Johnson, M/B/29.  Employees of the bank who witnessed the offense subsequently verified Mr. Johnson was the perpetrator. Further investigation revealed Mr. Johnson was also responsible for the January 9, 2008 aggravated robbery of this same bank. Mr. Johnson has been criminally charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Robbery. Sergeant Jeffery Brunswick, Police Officer Karen Parker, and Police Officer Ryan Parks are deserving of my commendation for their sense of duty, alertness and quick action resulting in the removal of a dangerous felon from the city’s streets.

WEEK OF 02/12/08 – 02/19/08

POLICE OFFICER ROBIN PRUITT
POLICE OFFICER ROBERT SMITH
DISTRICT FIVE

On January 9, 2008, Police Officer Robert Smith and Police Officer Robin Pruitt were patrolling the area of Hawaiian Terrace in Mount Airy as there were rumors of trouble that could occur as the result of a recent homicide. Both officers were aware of the potential suspect in the homicide from information received from Homicide detectives. During their patrol they came upon a suspicious vehicle in the area and stopped it. The car had a strong smell of marijuana emanating from within. As a result of a thorough investigation the passenger in the car was identified as David Simpson who was the person of interest in the homicide of Michael Grace which occurred on December 28, 2007. Homicide detectives were notified and David Simpson was transported to Criminal Investigation Section to be interviewed. Following the interview, David Simpson was charged with Murder in the homicide of Michael Grace. As a result of Police Officers Pruitt and Smith’s sense of duty, alertness, and knowledge of their beat, they were able to apprehend a dangerous criminal involved in a homicide. Their actions have helped to alleviate some of the fears of future violence related to this homicide. Police Officer Smith and Police Officer Pruitt are deserving of my commendation for their actions in this investigation and arrest.

WEEK OF 01/22/08 – 01/28/08 

POLICE OFFICER ERIC WEYDA
DISTRICT ONE 

Throughout 2007, every sworn member of the Cincinnati Police Department participated in firearms training and qualification at the target range.  A portion of that training involved a scored tactical shooting course for the pistol and shotgun, requiring personnel to engage multiple targets from various covered positions and while moving.  Police Officer Eric Weyda achieved the best score out of all the officers who participated with a course time of 45.76 seconds. 

Officer Weyda is to be commended for his commitment to excellence and the skill he displayed while engaged in this training exercise.

WEEK OF 01/01/08 – 01/07/08

POLICE SERGEANT CAROLYN RICHARDSON
POLICE SPECIALIST MARIAN JENKINS
POLICE OFFICER MELISSA CUMMINS
DISTRICT ONE

On November 21, 2007, District One units were dispatched to a report of a robbery in progress at the Fifth third Bank on Vine Street. Sergeant Carolyn Richardson immediately responded to the bank and secured the scene. Sergeant Richardson quickly put out an accurate and detailed description of the suspect. Police Specialist Marian Jenkins and Police Officer Melissa Cummins responded and searched the surrounding area, including Tower Place Mall. Specialist Jenkins and Officer Cummins observed a person matching the suspect’s description exiting an elevator. Specialist Jenkins and Officer Cummins approached the suspect and arrested him without incident.

After further investigation by Specialist Jenkins and Officer Cummins, Mr. William Coffman confessed to the crime and the stolen money was recovered. Mr. Coffman was charged with Aggravated Robbery and awaits trial at the Hamilton County Justice Center.

Sergeant Richardson, Specialist Jenkins, and Officer Cummins are to be commended for their quick response and observation skills, resulting in the apprehension and removal of a dangerous felon from the streets of Cincinnati.