A group of notable police officers from across the country shared the stage at the Warner Theater in Washington, D. C., on May 12, 2011. Humble and heroic, they were honored for being chosen as the 2011 Top Cops at an event by the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO). John Walsh, the host of America’s Most Wanted, hosted the Top Cops Awards. Walsh said the ceremony is “a celebration of the accomplishments of all the top cops here. There are so many worthy candidates. What could we do in America without you?”
“Each of you is truly a top cop, and by honoring you we also honor all of the nation’s law enforcement officers who protect us, our families, and our way of life,” U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder stated in a welcome letter.
Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. wrote, “Our Nation’s communities need your protection, and I find great comfort in your selflessness and bravery. I wish you the best of luck, and thank you for your continued efforts, sacrifices and dedication.”
Presenters at the ceremony included celebrities who genuinely support law enforcement. Among them were Steve Zimkilton, the voice of Law and Order; Jeremy Ratchford of CBS’ Cold Case; actress Felice Schacter; Jack McGee, of the FX Series Rescue Me; actress Cherry Jones; Pro Football Hall of Famer John Riggins; and actor Harvey Keitel.
Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office
The first award was presented to Deputy Sheriff Michael L. Braswell of the Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. A bike rider was stopped by Braswell and his colleague, Deputy Fairbanks, at 2:30 a.m. in an area encumbered with gang activity. Although the suspect consented to producing identification and being searched, he quickly whipped out a gun and shot Deputy Fairbanks three times. He was left in grave condition. Four additional shots were fired at Braswell who was hit in the chest, hip and hand. The suspect grabbed his gun again and drew a bead on the officer. Braswell, in extreme pain and injured, shot the suspect in the head and eliminated the threat. Deputy Fairbanks credited Braswell for saving his life. “I have no doubt in my mind that Mike saved my life,” he said.
Chandler (Ariz.) Police Department
Detectives Brian Arbizu and David Bugallo were the tops cops of the Chandler (Ariz.) Police Department. Although these officers, along with their partner, Det. Carlos Ledesma, were negotiating an undercover drug deal, one of the suspects immediately began shooting with an AK-47 and instantly killed Det. Ledesma. Four other suspects emerged from other rooms in the house and fired at Detectives Arbizu and Bugallo. Although both detectives were critically injured, they unhesitatingly returned fire and killed two suspects. A total of 40 rounds were exchanged in less than 15 seconds. The tactical team subsequently assisted and apprehensions were made. While recovering from their serious wounds, Detectives Arbizu and Bugallo participated in fundraisers and activities in support of Detective Ledesma’s family.
Baltimore County (Md.) Police Department
The Baltimore County Maryland Police Department’s three top cops included Officer First Class Michael B. Forish, Officer First Class Michael Gerard Lynch and Officer First Class Zachary J. Small. They were dispatched to a house fire and were on scene prior to arrival by the fire department. Their efforts to rescue Hewlett Gunson demonstrated their unrelenting heroism and resolve. Mr. Gunson, 6’2, 275 pounds, and paralyzed from the waist down, was fading in and out of consciousness while he was trapped in the blazing home.
The officers entered the house amidst blistering heat and suffocating smoke. Officers Small and Forish could barely get around the victim, who was trapped in a very tight space, to move him to safety. Officer Lynch attempted to provide cover to the officers by using a garden hose to fight the blaze at the top of the stairs.
Amidst a fire that was out of control, the three officers used all their strength to hoist Mr. Gunson out of the confined space to get him down the stairs. Once outside, they administered first aid to the victim until fire and emergency medical services arrived. These officers risked their own lives to save the life of Mr. Gunson.
New York City Police Department
Police Officers Sean Fitzpatrick, Robert P. Klein, Daniel P. Robbins and Robert Salerno of the New York City Police Department were recognized for their heroism in responding to a domestic call. A man became irate and threatened a home health worker, who was taking care of his 91-year-old mother, because she had allegedly rejected his romantic advances.
Knowledgeable that the suspect had a gun, the responding officers attempted to enter the room and disarm the suspect after repeated requests for him to relinquish the weapon. Officer Salerno was in the lead of the strategic formation.
The suspect immediately fired, and Officer Salerno was shot. He took three bullets in the abdomen and one in his ballistic vest, which saved his life. The three other officers kept firing at the suspect who continued the gun battle. Officer Salerno put himself in harm’s way to protect a civilian, and Officers Fitzpatrick, Klein and Robbins saved Officer Salerno’s life. “It’s our courage and bravery that brought us here tonight,” Officer Salerno said.
Oklahoma City Police Department
Officer Katie Lawson of the Oklahoma City Police Department is petite in stature but large in courage. As she was leaving the scene of a DUI incident, she observed a man in the shadows who happened to be the son of the man just arrested. He immediately opened fire at her with a .223 caliber rifle and kept firing.
He advanced on Officer Lawson’ cruiser, and she was shot several times in the legs and was hit in the face, buttock, calf, abdomen and back while being sprayed with glass and shrapnel. In the midst of this horrific event, she was able to call for back-up on her radio and gave an accurate description of the assailant. She returned fire despite being severely injured. She even climbed out of her vehicle and tried to advance on her attacker while continuing to making radio transmissions.
Despite taking a damaging round to her calf that prevented her from running, she was still standing when back-up officers arrived. “You were grace and strength under fire,” John Walsh said at the ceremony.
The Los Angeles Police Department
Sgt. Greg Garcia, Sgt. John D. Shah, Police Officer II Richard Garcia and Police Officer II Gilberto Rendon Jr. were recognized for their efforts in getting a woman and her children to safety after a gang-banger stormed their home, threatened them and hid inside the house. Officers Rendon and Garcia took posts at the front door and provided strategic cover until the woman and her children were out of the house. Her six-year-old child had been pistol whipped by the suspect. The officers called for back-up. Sergeants Garcia and Shah brought in the SWAT team immediately maintained tactical command of the crisis. The hostages were saved, and the gang members were ultimately apprehended.
Boise (Idaho) Police Department
Officer Adam R. Crist, Officer Jason E. Rose and Corporal Casey Hancuff, of the Boise Idaho Police Department, are top cops for saving the life of a woman who was at death’s doorstep after being shot by her ex-boyfriend at home where her children were present.
The victim almost bled to death, but she was saved by the heroic efforts of the officers. They applied two tourniquets to her femoral artery, provided comfort and encouragement to the victim who faded in and out of consciousness, and they rode in the ambulance to the hospital—all the while holding the tourniquets in place and keeping the victim’s leg elevated to prevent her from bleeding to death. The heroic efforts of these officers saved the victim’s life.
Chicago Police Department
Officer Lynn Casey, Officer Kimberly M. Thorp and Sergeant Jason Kaczynski of the Chicago Illinois Police Department were honored for their heroic efforts after a suspect, Bryant Brewer, shot and killed their colleague, Officer Thor Soderberg, 43, in the Chicago Police Department parking lot. Pursuant to investigating the noise of shots fired, the gunman opened fire on Officer Casey and subsequently on Officer Thorp. He defied orders by both officers to drop his weapon. Sgt. Kacynski gave the third order for the suspect to drop his weapon but, instead, he returned fire. The suspect was shot, injured and taken into custody. These three law enforcement professionals stopped a killer who murdered their colleague and who was attempting to commit additional deadly acts.
Combined Agencies
Teamwork that solved an 18-year cold case resulted in a number of top cops from various agencies being honored. They included Lt. Mark Mason of the Berkeley County South Carolina Sherriff’s Officer, Special Agent Kaylyn Dueker and Special Agent Stanley Garland of the Naval Investigative Service, Det. Stephen Jacobs of the Suffolk County New York Police Department, and Det. Capt. Richard J. Maricelli and Det. T. J. McDermott of the Missoula County Montana Sheriff’s Office. This group combined their skills and expertise for a painstaking and unrelenting investigation over a number of years. Their efforts resulted in solving the murder of a sailor, James Horton, who had been killed in 1992. Additional evidence suggested the victim was also tortured and sexual assaulted. The family of the murdered victim was grateful for the efforts of these law enforcement professionals that brought resolution to a case after 18 years.
FBI and New York City Police Department
Terrorism remains a constant threat. Special Agent Brian E. O’Rourke of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Detectives Joseph V. Mazzei and Thomas Reilly of the New York City Police Department were honored as top cops for their ability to obtain details about Faisal Shahzad’s terrorism plot, his motivations and those of his co-conspirators in the failed attempt to explode a car bomb in the heart of Manhattan. Shahzad confessed and plead guilty to the 10-count indictment against him. As a result of their extensive training, extensive knowledge and cohesive working relationships, these top cops made a tremendous impact in thwarting any further attempted terrorist attacks by this man
Conclusion
All the top cops who accepted their honors echoed one another in stating they were merely doing their jobs. They graciously shared the credit with their fellow law enforcement officers throughout the nation. Serving as role models of inspiration for others, they returned to their communities to continue their quest for enhanced public safety.