There’s no denying winter is here. Despite the often bitter cold, our patrol officers layer up and head out day and night to serve and protect our communities. Here is a sample of their good works. These are the Patrol Officers of the Month for December.
District I Patrol Officer of the Month
Police Officer Davinder Singh
On December 6, 2014, while on patrol near 57th Avenue and Jefferson Trail, Police Officer Davinder Singh initiated a traffic stop for a traffic violation. During the stop, Officer Singh detected the smell of burning marijuana coming from the car and also noticed the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Officer Singh called for backup. That’s when the driver jumped from the car and began running away. Officer Singh quickly caught him. Cocaine was found in the car. The driver was arrested.
District II Patrol Officer of the Month
Police Officer Rodalfo Dominguez
On December 12, 2014, Police Officer Rodalfo Dominguez responded to a residential burglary in progress on Hobart Court. When he arrived, Officer Dominguez saw three suspects running from the home. Officer Dominguez immediately began to run after them while providing a detailed description of the three suspects. Officer Dominguez was able to keep one suspect in sight when the suspects split up. Officer Dominguez caught one of the suspects. A short while later, the other two suspects were found and arrested.
District III Patrol Officers of the Month
Police Officer John Jacob
Police Officer Xavier Pena
On December 15, 2014, while a patrolling in the 5000 block of Silver Hill Court, Police Officer John Jacob and Police Officer Xavier Pena noticed two people seated in two different cars, one with an open alcohol container on top of the car. Police Officers Jacob and Pena also detected a strong odor of freshly burned marijuana coming from one car. As the officers got closer, one occupant got out of one of the cars and began to run away.
While running, the suspect reached for his waistband several times and disobeyed orders to stop. The fleeing suspect eventually slipped and fell on wet grass. The two officers got into a brief struggle with the suspect in an attempt to get control of the suspect’s hands. A loaded handgun was in the suspect’s waistband and was quickly recovered by the officers. The suspect also had heroin on him. When the officers returned to the parked cars, they also recovered a handgun from the second suspect who had stayed in the car. Both suspects were arrested.
District IV Patrol Officer of the Month
Police Officer Michael Bem
On December 18, 2014, while on patrol, Police Officer Michael Bem saw a car run through a stop sign. When Officer Bem conducted a traffic stop on the car on 28th Avenue, he detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car. A search of the car revealed 50 grams of marijuana, methamphetamine and crack cocaine. The driver was arrested.
District V Patrol Officer of the Month
Police Officer Megan Starr
On December 18, 2014, Police Officer Megan Starr responded to Lucky Lure Drive in Clinton for a report of squatters living in a bank-owned property. When backup officers arrived, Officer Starr spoke to a man who opened the front door. Officer Starr immediately detected an odor of marijuana coming from inside. The suspect was asked to step outside and the house was checked for additional suspects. Inside the home, a loaded gun, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were recovered. The suspect was arrested.
District VI Patrol Officer of the Month
Police officer Michael Risher
On December 11, 2014, Police Officer Michael Risher, conducted a traffic stop on a car that was driving aggressively in Laurel. When Officer Risher approached to talk to the driver, he smelled burning marijuana coming from the car. The driver was evasive while answering questions and acting in a suspicious manner. When backup officers arrived, Officer Risher asked the driver to step out of the car. A search of the car revealed a handgun and ammunition in the driver’s side floorboard. The suspect was arrested.
