POLICE WEEK AWARDS LUNCHEON – 2016
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Officer Reagan Bice
On November 28, 2015, Officer Reagan Bice attempted to stop a speeding vehicle for traffic violations. Officer Bice pursued the vehicle until it stopped and the driver jumped out and ran. As soon as Officer Bice caught him, two other men fled from the vehicle. Officer Bice gave backup officers the suspects’ descriptions and secured the driver in his patrol car. Checking the suspect vehicle, he found a dead man in the back seat. Back-up officers located the other suspects, arresting them. Investigation revealed the suspects were involved in a Home Invasion Robbery where the homeowner shot at the suspects, striking one. Officer Bice had interrupted their search for a place to dump his body.
INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR – Sergeant Antonio Gracia
NO FILMING OR PICTURES OF THIS AWARD RECIPIENT Sergeant Antonio Gracia spent a tremendous amount of personal time and energy to develop and present the Vice Investigator School (a 40 hour TCOLE approved class) and the first Houston Police Department Vice Training Manual. His efforts will benefit not only HPD Vice Division but also other investigative units around the state. The initial class was attended by HPD Vice investigators as well as investigators from five other local law enforcement agencies. A second presentation is scheduled for Houston Police and surrounding agencies in 2016.
FTO OF THE YEAR – Officer Alan Holub
Officer Alan Holub knows a vast amount about responding to calls for service and pro-active policing. Officer Holub communicates the importance of checking hot-spots for crime and quality of life issues to his trainees during their uncommitted time. He exhibits a high level of patience with the probationary police officers (PPOs) while ensuring that they participate in disturbance calls and traffic stops to increase their ability to control scenes and improve officer safety. Officer Holub uses different simulations and scenarios in training the PPOs which seem to be highly effective.
PATROL OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Thomas Wooten
Throughout 2015, Officer Thomas Wooten has demonstrated time and time again what it means to truly protect and serve the residents of the Third Ward and South Central area. He is serving as a life-long mentor for children that he met on calls for service, using uncommitted duty hours to make home visits and ensure that troubled children have a positive role model. He spends hundreds of dollars of his own money in the performance of random acts of generosity, and is constantly buying and personally delivering meals to the homeless. Officer Wooten makes public safety a high priority by maintaining high felony arrest statistics.
PATROL OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Mario Moreno
Officer Mario Moreno was dispatched to a Home Invasion in Progress. Upon arrival, he saw several suspects getting into two vehicles, which fled the scene with their lights off. Officer Moreno advised the dispatcher of these events and requested back-up as he pursued the suspects. Before back-up arrived, one vehicle stopped and three suspects jumped out. Officer Moreno ran after one suspect, who began shooting at him. Officer Moreno returned fire and the suspect was apprehended. The investigation determined the suspect had shot a complainant during a home invasion. The suspect was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant and Burglary with the intent to commit a felony.
PATROL SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR – Sergeant Stephen Hendrie
Sergeant Stephen Hendrie is the supervisor of the Midwest Division Gang Unit, leading his men with an exemplary work ethic. He ingrains the desire to go above and beyond to produce results which are amazing in his subordinates. Sergeant Hendrie has led the Unit to arrest 242 suspects from April through December 2015 including three were for Murder, 15 for robbery, and 10 for Burglary. They seized 10 weapons and $18,000 in cash, recovered $21,000 in stolen property and helped seize over 60 pounds of Narcotics. His leadership ability, productivity and genuine love for the job have made the Unit one of the best units in the department.
CIVILIAN SKILLED SERVICE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Senior Aircraft Mechanic Steven Cowan
Senior Aircraft Mechanic Steven Cowan is the lead mechanic for the Air Support Division and is responsible for ensuring the fleet of helicopters is airworthy and up to date with all Federal Aviation Administration mandated guidelines. Mr. Cowan has identified numerous outside vendors who could provide parts and service work at a much reduced cost to the city. Mr. Cowan coordinates with the other Senior Aircraft Mechanics and training staff to schedule the completion of required aircraft maintenance while still leaving available aircraft for the department’s mission.
TACTICAL OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Roosevelt Johnson
NO FILMING OR PICTURES OF THIS AWARD RECIPIENT The advanced intelligence gathering and investigative methods utilized by Officer Roosevelt Johnson have led to the arrests of numerous serial robbery suspects, as well as the identification and documentation of the largest gang involved in robberies in the Houston area. He has become a true expert on organized criminal activity and has become a valuable resource for numerous divisions and agencies while continuing to establish connections with multiple violent groups.
UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR – Officer Lloyd Hicks
NO FILMING OR PICTURES OF THIS AWARD RECIPIENT During 2015, Officer Lloyd Hicks conducted self-initiated investigations that resulted in the arrest of seven individuals directly connected to Drug Trafficking Organizations in Mexico and the United States. He was responsible for seizures totaling over $750,000 in U.S. currency, over 2300 grams of marijuana, 900 grams of heroin, over 2600 grams of Codeine syrup and 4200 grams of cocaine. Officer Hicks has displayed an incredible ability to locate and disrupt these organizations before they are able to distribute narcotics in Houston.
SPECIALIZED OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Marco Lopez
Officer Marco Lopez was involved in several operations, including a multi-jurisdictional investigation into organized groups conducting home invasions in Houston and surrounding areas. Officer Lopez was instrumental in the tactical plans which resulted in the arrest of two very dangerous criminal enterprises. These multi-jurisdictional investigations are very complex, dynamic and require a high level of tactical expertise to manage. As Officer Lopez exhibits this high level of proficiency, he has forged important, positive relationships, which have created and sustained positive cooperation with other HPD divisions and outside agencies.
CIT OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer David Walker
Officer David Walker responded to a call involving a man threatening to jump off the eighth floor of a parking garage. The man, who was drinking and had a knife, told Officer Walker that he was suicidal because he could not find employment because he was a felon. As Officer Walker talked to him, the man stabbed himself in the leg and made superficial cuts to his wrists. Officer Walker patiently listened and talked with the man, assuring him he was there to help. After several minutes, Officer Walker successfully talked the man down.
DRT/CSO OF THE YEAR – Officer Jason Turrentine
Officer Jason Turrentine and his partner Officer Guadalupe Duron are valued and respected by the citizens throughout the northeast communities that they patrol and serve. They are known for their immense work ethic and spend a large amount of time working the streets. In an effort to enhance the quality of life and deter crime in the community, they concentrated on specific places, street blocks, and houses known to be havens for narcotics and vice activity. They self-initiated approximately 750 crime initiative investigations resulting in 218 Felony arrests, 257 suspects placed into jail and 185 charges filed.
CIVILIAN PROTECTIVE SERVICES EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Senior Police Telecommunicator Karla Vaughn
Senior Police Telecommunicator Karla Vaughn is frequently recognized for her actions in juggling scenes while still managing her board on North Side Dispatch. SPT Vaughn does an excellent job documenting all the information in the call slips, has a professional demeanor over the police radio and speaks with a clear, audible voice. SPT Vaughn gives out all pertinent information regarding pending and active calls for service to area patrol units. She has played a vital role as the shift Trainer and Evaluator. She has also participated in the Emergency Communications Division SINS committee that works with the Houston Emergency Center.
SENIOR POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Officer Cedric Williams
Senior Police Officer Cedric Williams was a driving force in 351 felony and 249 misdemeanor arrests. His flexibility and range of skills make him a valuable tactical officer. His experience and confidence in on the fly decision making are second to none. These are skills he passes on to younger officers, helping to train new officers in the Northeast Tactical Unit for the past eight years. In addition to teaching new tactical officers about plainclothes work, he frequently teaches new patrol officers proactive techniques. He is also very involved in the community he polices, regularly attending PIP and Ministers Against Crime meetings.
PROACTIVE INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR – Officer David Patterson
NO FILMING OR PICTURES OF THIS AWARD RECIPIENT Officer David Patterson was researching online adult websites when he located an ad that he believed to be a sex trafficking ad involving adult prostitution. He responded to the ad, conversing with the suspect who he determined was a child sexual predator. The suspect suggested he would have possession of a young girl that he would allow to be sexually assaulted for a large fee. Officer Patterson arranged a meeting where the suspect immediately requested the money, then took Officer Patterson into an apartment to verify there was a young girl sleeping inside. Officers entered the location and arrested the suspect who was charged with compelling prostitution and trafficking of a minor.
REACTIVE INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR – Officer Amie Flowers
Officer Amie Flowers investigated an aggravated sexual assault of a 12 year old girl by her biological father. The girl’s mother discovered a disturbing picture of the assault on her husband’s computer and made an HPD report. Officer Flowers interviewed the victim’s mother, who had relinquished the laptop, provided keys to her home for warrant execution and advised the suspect had a passport. Officer Flowers reviewed the case with the Harris County DA’s office and demanded that the highest charge be filed, Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. Officer Flowers’ ability and tenacity to uncover all leads and possibilities led to the successful arrest and prosecution of a child predator.
PARTNERS OF THE YEAR – Officer Xavier Flores and Officer Nicole Tafhurt
As partners Officers Xavier Flores and Nicole Tafhurt have identified problems in their beats involving narcotics and vice activity. In 2015 they made 110 Felony and 68 misdemeanor arrests, seized 3,040 grams of marijuana, over 6 grams of heroin, 21 grams of cocaine, 1,072 grams of Shatter and over 77 grams of prescription drugs, over $40,000, 19 pistols and one vehicle. In addition they have shared the valuable information they have compiled from their efforts with their supervisors and personnel in Narcotics, Vice and Traffic Enforcement Division Interdiction.
INVESTIGATIVE SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR – Sergeant Michelle Gallagher
During 2015, Sergeant Michelle Gallagher juggled the duties of two investigative sergeant positions, overseeing approximately fourteen officers in the Child Physical Abuse Unit. Sergeant Gallagher assumed a full time on-call status and responsibility for all after hours calls and inquiries. She was available to hospital staff and Child Protective Services on a 24 hour basis. Sergeant Gallagher managed all training for new investigators as well as teaching the Child Abuse classes. Sergeant Gallagher read thousands of Child Protective Service referrals and reviewed hundreds of patrol reports for assignment or clearance. Additionally she was responsible for clearing over 800 cases herself. Sergeant Gallagher’s efforts helped the unit clear over 2200 cases, with over 130 felony warrants issued.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Officer Jonathan Ngar
Officer Jonathan Ngar has exceeded expectations in the collection, research, analysis and identification of probable violent criminals and their social networks. He has utilized a social media research platform to identify open displays of firearms by persons in many of the districts at greatest risk of firearms violence. To verify identification of these suspects, he expanded his search using a number of law enforcement data systems. He has identified in excess of 115 accounts with reasonable suspicion of gang related or firearms offenses. The information is disseminated and shared with the applicable divisions and their Tactical/Gang units.
CIVILIAN TECHNICAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Senior Communications Specialist Cynthia Cuellar
Senior Communications Specialist Cynthia Cuellar has proven to be a team player, able to take a project from start to finish or do what is needed to finish a job. She has been the assigned camera operator for most of Video Production’s live streaming events such as the Body Worn Camera Information Meeting and the first Open Carry Meeting. Because Video Production does not have the ability to beep out inappropriate language or conduct, Ms. Cuellar had to remain extremely vigilant while the speakers and the audience discussed volatile issues. When Ms. Cuellar assists a division in creating a video, they often request her specifically for additional work.
CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATIVE /PARA-PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Administrative Assistant Martina Medina
Administrative Assistant Martina Medina is assigned to the Office of the Chief of Police handling a myriad of responsibilities that include determining the distribution of the vast amounts of paperwork that leaves the Chief’s office, indexing or cataloging incoming mail, and assisting department employees and citizens. She has helped the office in its transition to the new Appbase Case Management System which will benefit not only the Chief’s office but the whole department. Although Ms. Medina has many responsibilities she has always displayed a positive, energetic and can do attitude in her work.
CIVILIAN PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Staff Analyst Carla Manuel
Staff Analyst Carla Manuel was an integral part in the development of the first Houston vice related workgroup; LE VICE (Law Enforcement Vice Initiative, Collaboration, and Enforcement); a conglomeration of over 20 different law enforcement entities gathered to crack down on vice related crime. Ms. Manuel also developed a LE VICE website which allows participating agencies to report their activities, de-conflict operations and view target locations and initiative status. Ms. Manuel developed the most effective means to gather statistics for the national coordinator for the National Day of John Arrests and National John Suppression. Her actions resulted in the department receiving recognition for being the first police department to modify their internal database to support collection requirements.
CIVILIAN SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR – Evidence Technician Supervisor Tamara Davis
As supervisor of the Audit Team in Property Division, Evidence Technician Supervisor Tamara Davis is responsible for overseeing all aspects of quality control. Her attention to detail and outstanding supervisory skills have played a key role in efforts to earn and retain the coveted ISO 9001-2008 certification. Ms. Davis also served as an ISO auditor of other divisions within the department. Ms. Davis and her team inventoried the Central Evidence Receiving which has over 500,000 line narcotic items, a process that is extremely crucial and required, following the transfer of the CER from the Houston Forensic Science Center to the HPD.
ADMINISTRATIVE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – Officer Debra Allee
Officer Debra Allee is assigned the Training Division where she tracks and maintains records of personnel in the Field Training program, Patrol Sergeants’ Training Program, and the Mentor Program. Because personnel are constantly changing, Officer Allee has a one day turn around on submitting the appropriate forms to Employee Services to minimize delays in officers receiving pay. She has extensive knowledge of all things associated with the division including the AIMS, MAPPER and LMS systems. Officer Allee has administrative responsibility for 755 personnel and four programs and her responsibility has a direct effect on the entire department.
MID-MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Lieutenant Catherine Richards
Lieutenant Catherine Richards, recognizing a need advance the level of investigator proficiency in Vice Division, developed and presented the Department’s first Vice Investigator School and the Vice Training Manual. In a successful effort to persuade the Texas State Legislature to strengthen human trafficking and prostitution related laws, Lieutenant Richards spoke on behalf of several bills before a legislative committee. Lieutenant Richards helped develop a closer working relationship among fellow law enforcement agencies with whom Vice Division interacts by collaborating with them and including them in various initiatives to produce a synergy that would otherwise have been unattainable.
CIVILIAN MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Administration Manager Jeffrey Monk
There is a tremendous responsibility that comes with overseeing the Open Records Unit (ORU). The unit researches, gathers and distributes department information to the public in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act. With a small staff and a growing number of requests, the task of supervising the unit is a daunting one. Administration Manager Jeffrey Monk takes on some of the daily workload proving that he is willing to do what it takes to help the unit get the job done. He is an advocate for his employees, always willing to step in as needed to make sure the department is compliant with the act.
MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Captain Gregory Fremin
Captain Gregory Fremin is assigned to Northeast Division, the second largest police area of responsibility in the city encompassing 134 square miles and a population of 250,000, where he works to foster and strengthen the police-community relationship. The key to Captain Fermin’s community outreach effort is his ability to maintain an open dialogue with the community. He established a Minister’s Alliance meeting to incorporate community leaders in conversations about their communities. Recognizing that crimes can occur that raise fear and concern for citizens, Captain Fremin will hold a Crime in Community meeting to provide a forum for them to discuss those issues. He has also incorporated the Character Does Matter program in his outreach to the youth in the community.
1st Lifetime Achievement Award
OFFICER DOUGLAS ANDERS
After 26 productive years serving in various Patrol Divisions, Officer Douglas Anders was assigned to Executive Assistant Chief Oettmeier’s office, where he was instrumental in developing multiple crime prevention initiatives such as the Blue Star Program and the associated Apartment Enforcement Unit. He worked directly with Mayor Bill White’s administration on the Apartment Security and Apartment Inspection Ordinances. Moving on to the Mental Health Unit, he worked on the Boarding Home Ordinance, which was passed in 2013. In 2015, Officer Anders was assigned to be the Special Projects coordinator for the Mental Health Division, concentrating on the Senior Justice Assessment Center and HPD’s role in addressing senior citizens who are victims of crime, abuse and neglect. Officer Anders’s commitment has helped put HPD on the leading edge of policing.
2nd Lifetime Achievement Award
LIEUTENANT PATRICK DOUGHERTY
As early as 1979, the Houston Police Department was talking with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office about combining the city and county jails. In July 1992, Lieutenant Patrick Dougherty transferred into Jail Division and became the lead on any future projects involving a merger of the city and county jail facilities. Throughout the years he has been on many teams that started the process of a joint correctional facility, but the project never seemed to make it to the final stages. Finally an official groundbreaking was held on October 27, 2015. Lieutenant Dougherty is considered by many to be the expert on procedures and design and his contributions played an important role in the design of the new facility.
3rd Lifetime Achievement Award
SERGEANT RODNEY HILL
For over 39 years Sergeant Rodney Hill has effectively managed a variety of operations. While in SWAT, he assisted other law enforcement agencies, trained and spoke to numerous organizations. Sergeant Hill participated in numerous SWAT demonstrations and provided tactical assistance in capturing suspects. Sergeant Hill was assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. He was deeply involved in the mission of anti-terrorism, crime, drug, gangs, and violence prevention. He protected the Mayor of Houston and was assigned to the Presidential Protection Detail. Sergeant Hill created the Suspect Image Database now known as Gang Tracker. He also helped with the creation and design of a command post concept that has been used in coordinating Houston area special events.
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