Chief Wick Presents Police Awards
Chief, Don Wick presented medals and other awards to Arvada's Finest and outstanding citizens on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Arvada West High School, 11595 Allendale Drive.
Citizen Commendation
Toni VanDecar: In appreciation of her willingness to provide information about a suspect who fled from police. Her actions resulted in police locating and arresting a man wanted on numerous warrants.
Service Recognitions
20 Years
Officer Don Bass
Officer Blaine Engdahl
Officer Steve Erholm
Dispatcher Julie Miller
Detective Doug Sybert
Sergeant Greg Luby
25 Years
Officer Jim Becker
Detective Jim Cantin
Detective Faith Stevens
PST Mary Williams
Sergeant Steve Grisham
Commander Kathy Foos
30 Years
Accreditation Specialist Ted Bogdanovich
Officer Pat Claar
Detective John Doll
Commander Jim Keating
Officer Bruce Stevens
Police Citation
Officer Tom VanderVeen: In recognition of his outstanding service to the community as the School Resource Officer at Arvada West High School between 2002 and 2008.
Police Commendations
Sergeant Shelly Moriarty: In recognition of her professionalism and compassion demonstrated in meeting with Daniel Flynn in his homeland of Ireland following a tragic traffic accident occurring in Arvada in 2005.
Officer Mary Miklos: For her quick response to a house fire in the 6400 block of Ingalls Street. Her efforts to extinguish the blaze ensured minimal damage to the home.
Officer Ron Avila: For his exemplary actions in developing information leading to the identification and arrest of a sex offender responsible for numerous indecent exposure crimes in the Denver metro area.
Lifesaver Commendations
Officer Dan Ames, Officer Matt Archuleta, Officer Chris Love, Officer Ryan Pena: In recognition of their exemplary response in attending to a victim who was critically injured in a stabbing.
Detective Faith Stevens: In recognition of her outstanding actions in successfully negotiating with a suicidal man who was barricaded in hotel room in southern Jefferson County. Because of her efforts, the man surrendered to police without harming himself.
Medals of Meritorious Service
Detective John Doll: In recognition of his professionalism, leadership and outstanding actions demonstrated in managing the investigation of the Burger King Restaurant robbery/homicide occurring in July of 2007.
Medals of Distinguished Service
Officer Paul Green: In recognition of his exemplary response detaining a suicidal man who had doused himself in gasoline and was attempting to ignite himself with a lighter.
Corporal Dave Everett and Officer John Zubrinic: In recognition of their response to a volatile situation involving a suicidal man armed with a knife. Their actions resulted in the man being detained and taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Officer Tony Lima: For his outstanding actions in rescuing an elderly woman who was inside her burning home.
Officer Dan Ames, Officer James Armstrong, Officer Ron Avila, Officer Josh Hotchkiss, Officer Chris Steiner, Detective Mike Touchton, Sergeant Ann DiVirgilio: For their exemplary actions in disarming and providing aid to a suicidal woman who had shot herself inside her apartment.
All of us with the Arvada Police Department wish to congratulate those who received awards.
