Thankful

This week we celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday.  I am thankful again this year that our police department members have been healthy and uninjured for the most part.  Even though we police a relatively safe community, this still is a very dangerous job and any call can turn to tragedy in a fraction of a second. 

I was reminded of this a little more than a week ago when our folks were assisting Mission PD track down a man who had just killed his brother.  Even though it does not get more dangerous than that, our officers knowingly put themselves in harms way to protect the public.  In this case, as they were closing in on the suspect's location, the incident ended when he turned the gun on himself.

So while being thankful is an everyday thing at our department, I am comfortable knowing our staff members are doing the right things for the right reasons while keeping our City, their peers, and themselves safe and protected.

Many Congratulations are in Order

Another very busy week at the Shawnee PD.  Several officers and civilian support staff were given service awards this week at Tuesday night's City Council Meeting.  Patrol Lieutenant Mark Hein was celebrated for his twenty-five years along with Deputy Chief Moser for his twenty years of service.

Wednesday night, we graduated our 2012 Session of our Citizens' Police Academy.  Training Unit Sergeant Steve McCorkill did a great job running this session with the help of all of our staff who instructed classes and from Police Department Volunteer and 2011 Session CPA Graduate Michelle Distler.  Patrol Lieutenant Mitch Brim did a great job speaking during the ceremony about the difference of police officers' wearing badges or wearing shields.

On Friday, four officers received Awards of Valor from the Kansas City Metro Chiefs' and Sheriffs' Association.  Officers Blake Larsen, Officer Steve Walsh, and Officer Ryan Robinson received the Lifesaving Award, while Sergeant Jim Baker received an award for innovation.

And Saturday night, Detective John "Butters" Stirling defended the honor of the Shawnee Police Department while representing us while boxing at the "Guns 'N Hoses" Police versus Fire Charity Boxing Event at Kansas City's Downtown Marriott Hotel.  The event is a fund-raiser for the SAFE (Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment) Fund Program administered by the Kansas City Metropolitan Crim Commission.  John went three rounds with a "fiery" firefighter/EMT out of Harrisonville and won by decision.

Congratulations to all.  You make me very proud to know and work with you to safeguard our community.