2010 Awards

On Saturday, January 15, 2011 the Garden City Police Department held its annual awards ceremony.  The following individuals received recognition for their achievements during the 2010 calendar year:

Employee of the Year

On Monday, January 25, 2010 at approximately 2:26 a.m. MPO Heit was dispatched to a residence in Garden City for a burglary in progress.  When MPO Heit arrived, he encountered several people who said their father was attacking their mother inside the residence.  MPO Heit entered the residence and found man on top of a woman on a bed.  The male had a knife in his hand and was in the process of attempting to stab the woman.  MPO Heit made the instant decision to draw and fire his duty weapon, striking the male twice.  The male was immediately incapacitated and taken into custody.  In a media release issued by Finney County Attorney John P. Wheeler, dated February 18, 2010, Mr. Wheeler stated, “The force used by the officer was in defense of the life of the victim, was completely reasonable under the circumstances and did, in fact, save the life of the victim.”  

Senior Master Patrol Officer (SMPO) Brandy Unruh, Detective Tanya Bradley and MPO Hailey Knoll were awarded the Meritorious Service Award for their involvement with the SANE/SART program.  The SANE/SART program provides a standardized process in how law enforcement officials respond to sexual assault crimes within Finney County.  All three officers have shown a strong commitment in not only being a forensic interviewer, but also participating in fundraising efforts to further the mission of the program.

Detective Mark Johnson was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for his dedication and performance in constructing surveillance equipment for the Garden City Police Department.  Detective Johnson took it upon himself to research the necessary equipment to build surveillance equipment in-house versus purchasing the ready-made cameras from an outside source.  MPO Johnson's efforts resulted in saving the Garden City Police Department over $35,000.

Officers Pete Deleon and Paul Euliss were awarded the Lifesaving Award for their efforts in saving the life 48-year-old Garden City woman.  On September 3, 2010 they were dispatched to a residence in Garden City for a woman not breathing.  When they arrived, Officer Deleon dislodged food from the woman's mouth and both officers performed CPR.  During their efforts, the woman regained a pulse and began breathing on her own again.

On August 21, 2010 MPO Lee Stevens was dispatched to a business in Garden City for a man not breathing.  When MPO Stevens arrived, he found that the man was choking on a piece of food and could not breathe.  MPO Stevens performed the Heimlich maneuver, which dislodged the food and allowed the man the breathe again.  For his efforts, MPO Stevens was awarded the Lifesaving Award.