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02/26/07 |
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Peoria Police recognize their own at 2006
Awards Ceremony During the 2006 Awards Ceremony held on Friday, February 23, Interim Police Chief Larry Ratcliff presented awards to the employees of the year in eight categories, recognized several employees for educational achievement and presented 2 Achievement Awards. Officers and Communications Specialist directly involved in the officer involved shooting that occurred on December 17, 2005 and left Officer Bill Weigt paralyzed were also recognized with Distinguished Service Medals and a Medal of Honor awarded. AWARDS INFORMATION Volunteer of the Year: John Hayes Non-Uniformed Support Staff of the Year: Bev Chanco Uniformed Support Staff of the Year: Shelly Montes Communications Specialist of the Year: Ann Shaw Civilian Supervisor/Manager of the Year: Debbie Shaw Specialty Officer of the Year: Officer Lon Bartel Officer of the Year: Officer Ed Bakke Sworn Supervisor/Manager of the Year: Sergeant Luis Aponte Additional recognitions Educational Achievement Awards Bachelor Degrees were obtained by: Sergeant Ken Gentry Sergeant Matt Simon Sergeant Bruce Walls Officer Sean Romero Officer Sheri Howard Achievement Awards: Sergeant Paul Panaccione Communications Supervisor Ann Shaw Distinguished Services Medals During the early morning hours of December 17, 2005, officers responded to a call of shots fired on West Cinnabar Avenue. Upon arriving, officers crossed paths with the suspect whose vehicle was fleeing the scene. After a brief pursuit, the suspect vehicle and several of our units came to a stop in the middle of the roadway at 8800 W. Olive Avenue. As the suspect exited his vehicle, he began firing a hand gun. Although our officers shot and killed the suspect, one of his rounds struck Officer Weigt just above his vest, resulting in a spinal cord injury. Several officers distinguished themselves on that morning, the morning that changed the Peoria Police Department forever. Officer Scott Borsch Officer Jeff Carpenter Officer Jeremy Cooper Officer Chris Dugan Officer Bill Weigt MCSO Deputy Kristian Dever Equally important during an incident such as this are the Communications Specialist, our life-line. We also recognized the 4 Communications Specialist that worked the two incidents: Paula Cunningham Leann Lay Domela McHenry Sherril Rasmussen Medal of Honor Officer Jason Smith All of the officers at the scene on that tragic morning displayed heroism and professionalism in the line of duty. The earlier mentioned officers positioned themselves to return suppressing gunfire toward the suspect’s position while Officer Jason Smith displayed extreme courage by exposing himself to the suspect’s gunfire as he pulled Officer Bill Weigt to a safer location and positioned his body over Bill’s in order to protect him from further injury. ### |
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"Our Community, Our Commitment" |
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