Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Jan 24, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Awards Banquet tonight

Shreveport Police Department will honor some of its outstanding officers and civilians, who went above and beyond the call of duty in 2007.

The annual Appreciation and Awards Banquet will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, at Riverview Hall. The awards program will begin by 7:30 p.m., with the award presentation starting about 7:45 p.m.

Among those being honored are Adam Klingensmith and his friends, who helped a stranded motorist move her car out of a busy roadway in late 2007. Klingensmith was struck by a drunk driver and died as a result. Chief Henry Whitehorn will present Klingensmith's family and the other teens with a Chief's Appreciation Award.

The theme for this year's banquet is "Lights! Camera! SPD" and is aimed at letting all police personnel know they are shining stars in their own right. It is sponsored by the Agurs Business Association, with decorating assistance by Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

There is a long list of deserving officers, civilians and good samaritans who will be honored at the banquet, which should end around 9 p.m.

Below is a list of people getting awards, along with a summary on why they are getting it. However, the award winners are EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 P.M. JAN. 24, FOLLOWING THE BANQUET. The awards are a surprise, and while some officers may suspect something, they don't know they are getting these particular awards.

CHIEF’S APPRECIATION AWARDS

The first Chief’s Appreciation Award goes to two officers who attempted to save the life an 11-year-old boy who had been shot. They sacrificed their safety to help save the life of the boy. This award goes to Officers Matthew Gryder and Henry Burak.

The second Chief’s Appreciation Award involves an incident in which an observant driver passed two young boys walking down a busy street at 11:30 at night. When she stopped to help them, she learned that the oldest boy, age 11, had gotten a 7-year-old boy out of a house where a relative was doing inappropriate things to the youngest child. She drove them to another relative’s house for safety. This citizen in an example of how ordinary citizens can impact the lives of others. These appreciation awards goes to the driver, Ms. Amanda Tatum, and the 11-year-old boy.

The next award goes to a group of neighbors who came to the aid of a 79-year-old woman whose purse was snatched away from her by four juveniles. One of those suspects fired a weapon at her. The neighbors saw the boys running away and followed them until police could catch them. These Chief’s Appreciation Awards go to Dee Bell, George Thomas and Earl Parson.

These next two citizens are delivery drivers for Haverty’s Furniture Store. While they have moved a lot of things, the best move they’ve made so far involves the rescue of a woman whose car went into the bayou on East Kings Highway. One of the men tied a rope around the other, who was then lowered to help pull the woman to safety. Had it not been for their self-less actions, the woman could have drown. Elmer Williams and Johnny Persley receive this award.

These last Appreciation Awards go to a group of boys who came to the aid of a stranded motorist, only to endure a tragic accident. They were behind the vehicle about to push it out of an intersection when another vehicle hit the car from behind at a high rate of speed. All but one of these young men were able to jump clear just prior to the crash. Adam Klingensmith was not so lucky. He lost his life helping someone else, which to me, should be considered the ultimate, everyday hero. I present these awards to Zach Egan, Tray Cummings, Deraius (Dairy-us) Smith and David Ferguson Jr. And, finally, to the family of Adam Klingensmith.

LIFE SAVING AWARD

Two officers receive the Life Saving Award for saving the life of a woman who was about to commit suicide by jumping out a window. The two officers grabbed her before she left the window sill, putting themselves in danger of being drug out the window with her. It gives me great pleasure to present these Life Saving Awards to Officers Hai Phan and Jennifer Gibson.

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

This year’s Humanitarian Award goes to an officer who initiated two new programs to reach out to young people. She started the department’s first-ever school uniform drive, and she managed to have dozens of deserving students bused to Southern University to celebrate their successes and to dream and prepare for their futures. This award goes to Cpl. Meosha Deal.

Auxiliary Award goes to Phillip Templeton, for his dedicated volunteer service to SPD.

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

Civilian of the Year: This year’s Civilian of the Year for Investigations has been assigned to the detective bureau for four years. She is required to multi-task and “shift gears” frequently. Although her day can be hectic and stressful, she remains calm and pleasant. She never complains about her tasks, and is an efficient, quick learner and a loyal employee. I present this award to Ms. Debbie Harris.

Investigator of the Year: The Investigator of the Year is a guy who others come to get answers to their questions. He is ready to assist and train young or newly assigned investigators on all aspects of the job, both easy and difficult. He is a valuable asset to his unit. He seems to stay in good spirits and has a way to lighten an otherwise bad situation, accomplishing this with experience and knowledge. He is extremely productive. This award goes to Detective Rod Johnson.

Supervisor of the Year: The Supervisor of the Year award goes to a man who joined the department in 1986. He is a well-rounded, level-headed supervisor who is well respected by those who work directly for him. Dealing with the families of violent crime victims can be challenging, but he never allows his personal feelings to influence what he says to the families. He keeps his composure under the worst of circumstances and tries to instill the same thing in those he supervises. This award goes to Sgt. Brian Strange.

Unit Citation: The next award is the Unit Citation, which goes to a group of highly trained individuals who are constantly working to ensure each of them are well trained mentally and physically. They work as a highly skilled team, going into high crime areas of Shreveport and Caddo Parish. Their schedules are always changing, but they maintain good attitudes. In 2007, they made at least 485 felony arrests, seized 107 guns and more than $300,000 in illegal drugs. The Unit Citation is awarded to the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Task Force’s Street Level Interdiction Unit.

Another Unit Citiation is being given to the Shift C Homicide Unit for its efforts in solving several high-profile crimes, include the murder of an elderly man that led to the arrest of Erik Mickelson, who may have killed others in the past.

SUPPORT DIVISION

Civilian of the Year: This year’s Civilian of the Year for the Support Division has been with the ABO unit for 15 years. She is very knowledgeable about liquor laws, and her professionalism with business owners has made her the go-to person for them to find out what is needed to obtain a license to operate. She has remarkable leadership skills, is very productive and has a great attitude. This award goes to Connie Williams.

Officer of the Year: The officer of the year has been with SPD for 12 years. He displays a strong personal commitment to completing projects assigned to him. He is revered as a leading authority in firearms training and has been instrumental in developing the Patrol Rifle Program, which is to be implemented later this year. This award goes to Cpl. Rodney Horton.

Supervisor of the Year: The Supervisor of the Year has been with SPD for 17 years. After 15 years on patrol, he was assigned to the Warrants Unit. He rectifies any problems that develop with city warrants, and is proficient in performing these tasks. He consistently shows enthusiasm with everyone and is cooperative, people-oriented and productive This award goes to Sgt. Robert Ellis.

Unit Citation: The Recruiting Unit is being granted a Unit Citation for its team efforts in working to locate and hire the best candidates as possible to enter the police academy and go to work for the Shreveport Police Department.

UNIFORM SERVICES DIVISION

Civilian of the Year: The Civilian of the Year for the Uniform Services Division is solely responsible for the in-dash digital video evidence. She burns all copies need for the department and the public, and is responsible for seeing that the system is operational at all times. She also performs a variety of other duties asked of her. She takes pride in her work and does an outstanding job. This award goes to Jennifer Oakley.

Training Officer of the Year: The Training Officer of the Year is an example of what a training officer should be. He stays in contact with the newer officers long after they leave the training officer program. He is well respected by everyone and is always one of the top performers. This award goes to Cpl. Darrel Miller.

Rookie of the Year: The Rookie of the Year Award goes to an officer who is energetic and hard working. He provides a very good support package to the morale of his fellow officers and adapts well to change. He is very organized and writes good reports. The Rookie of the Year Award goes to Officer Hai Phan.

Officer of the Year: The Officer of the Year for USD began her career in January of 2003. In 2007, she had quite a year. She assisted with the arrest of two armed bank robbers. She extracted a man from his vehicle after he attempted to run over fire department personnel at a motel. She assisted in the arrest of a rape and robbery suspect. She chased and arrested two suspected burglars. And, she was shot at by a carjacker. And that was all in just the first five months! Needless to say, she is a hard worker and is dedicated in fighting crime in Shreveport. She actively patrols her district and frequently assists other officers on calls for service. The Officer of the Year Award goes to Officer Angie Willhite.

Supervisor of the Year: The Supervisor of the Year Award goes to a man who has spent most of his career as an investigator. When he was assigned as supervisor of the Crash Investigations Unit in 2005, he immediately designed and implemented a case tracking database. He also initiated a screening process that streamlined operation of the unit. He is an active supervisor, assigning himself cases and covering call. He is always impeccably dressed, from his shined shoes to his pressed shirt. His hair is always neatly combed and he always has his “year-round” tan. He has been called the “poster child” of a professional, caring police officer. The Supervisor of the Year Award goes to Sgt. Tom Oster.

Information can be left with crimestoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews