Presentation program at the Sharonville Convention Center begins at 8:00 p.m. following dinner. 

The Hamilton County Law Enforcement Community’s Police Appreciation and Achievement Awards will be presented Thursday May 17 at the 40th annual Police Appreciation Awards Dinner at the Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road. Eight categories for these awards address all aspects of law enforcement activity and recognize outstanding achievements by individuals in the police agencies of Hamilton County.  Two additional categories honor citizens and corporations for their contributions to the safety of the community in support of law enforcement.  Recipients of 2007 Appreciation and Achievement Awards are:

ACT OF BRAVERY

Police Officer Scott Jenkins of the Harrison Police Department will be recognized for his actions that saved the life of a man in April 2006.  Officer Jenkins was dispatched to the New Haven Road overpass above Interstate 74 where a man had climbed over the railing and was attempting to jump to the roadway below.  As the officer approached, he observed the actions and demeanor of a person intent on suicide.  Slowly and calmly, Officer Jenkins closed the distance between himself and the suicidal man.  Then he grabbed the man and pulled him over the guardrail to safety.  Officer Jenkins demonstrated true heroism in sacrificing his personal safety to save another from certain death.

CONTRIBUTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

Police Officer Mark Bode and Police Officer Christopher Vogelpohl will be recognized for their work in the Vortex Unit.  Working in uniform and in old clothes, their efforts have resulted in impressive results for recovery of contraband and arrests of some of the most dangerous individuals in the city.  From October 2006 through the first week of March 2007, they recovered and seized over $260,000 in currency, 35 firearms, 9 automobiles, more than 75 pounds of marijuana, 7 kilograms of powder cocaine, and 450 grams of crack cocaine.  The have been affiants for 60 high risk search warrants, all executed by SWAT.  Both officers have become true leaders among their peers.  They exemplify well rounded policing, and they are truly two of “Cincinnati’s Finest.”  

POLICE WORK WITH CHILDREN

Police Officer Eric Dunn and Police Officer Kathy Horn of the Cincinnati Police Department will be recognized for their outstanding and enthusiastic work with the Adopt a Class program at Riverview Community School on Kellogg Avenue.  They are beat officers who volunteered for this innovative program designed to foster positive interaction between children and successful professionals who serve as role models, mentors, tutors and friends.  Officer Dunn’s work with children also includes fourteen years of serving as a volunteer counselor at the Cincinnati Police Youth Live-In, where inner-city youth enjoy five days at Camp Joy in Clarksville, Ohio.  Officer Horn has organized a Thanksgiving food drive and a Christmas project so that needy families can share holiday bounty and cheer.  These officers have made a profound difference in the lives of children in District Two.

OUTSTANDING JOB OF TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT/EDUCATION

Corporal Brian Shepherd will be recognized for the dedication and expertise he brings to his work in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Traffic Safety Unit.  He has been assigned there since November 2003, after previously serving in the Patrol Division, Regional Narcotics Unit, as a canine handler, and as a member of the Special Response Team.  Corporal Shepherd quickly mastered both the art and the science of traffic crash investigation and earned certification as a Traffic Crash Reconstructionist.  He has continued to hone his skills in areas such as crash data retrieval systems, commercial vehicle enforcement, laser mapping, and advanced crash scene documentation.  With his drive and determination to excel, he always finds time to assist fellow officers and to share his knowledge.  Corporal Shepherd drew on all that knowledge and expertise in the investigation of the July 2006 incident in which a driver under the influence of alcohol and drugs, driving with a suspended license, crossed the double yellow lines and drove into a group of cyclists, killing two of them.  The driver did not stop, but continued driving with the body of one victim on the front of his vehicle, until he struch another car head-on.  Corporal Shepherd received the call and led the team of investigators in meticulously processing this extensive crash scene.  They spent hours photographing, measuring, and locating crucial crime scene evidence.  In follow-up investigations, Corporal Shepherd worked over 100 hours on the case.  His diligent work helped to obtain an indictment of the at-fault driver on eight criminal charges.  Prosecutors praised Corporal Shepherd’s work on the case.  One member of the Prosecutor’s Office described Corporal Shepherd as being “an essential, dedicated, and valuable asset to this particular case, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, and all citizens of Hamilton County.”

BEST INVESTIGATION LEADING TO THE SOLUTION OF A CRIME

Sergeant Ron Reckers, Detective Randy Fore, Detective Andy Guy, and Detective Ken Schweinefus of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will be recognized for their investigation into the disappearance and murder of Marcus Fiesel.  On August 15, 2006, Sheriff’s Patrol units were dispatched to a report of an unconscious female in an Anderson Township park.  While paramedics tended to the woman – Liz Carroll – her husband David arrived at the scene and advised the authorities that one of the four children who had been with his wife was missing.  Thus began an intensive search involving the Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson Township Fire Department, and hundreds of volunteers.  The search lasted three days but turned up no sign of the missing child.  Sergeant Reckers became the lead investigator on the case.  He and the detectives conducted hundreds of hours of interviews, surveillance, searches, and meeting over the next thirteen days.  Their interviews of Liz and David Carroll and their live-in friend Amy Baker finally developed information on what had happened to Marcus.  While Liz and David Carroll told a number of variations of the boy’s disappearance, Amy Baker was consistent in her statement that the child had been bound, put into a play pen and placed in a closet by the Carrolls.  She said that when Marcus was found dead, his body was burned in Brown County and then his remains were thrown into the Ohio River by David Carroll.  Detectives located evidence that supported Baker’s testimony.  After presentations to the grand jury, Liz and David Carroll were indicted for the murder of Marcus Fiesel.  Sergeant Reckers and Detectives Fore, Guy and Schweinefus were relentless in their investigation of this case.  Because of their hard work, both Liz and David Carroll are now serving lengthy prison sentences for the murder of Marcus Fiesel.

SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT IN POLICE LEADERSHIP

Captain Andrew Raabe, of the Cincinnati Police Department will be recognized for his exemplary performance throughout his career.  He has been a member of the Cincinnati Police Department since 1974, and demonstrated his desire to be a police officer and serve his community from the very beginning of his career:  He endured three layoffs in those early years, yet promptly returned to service when he was recalled.  As a police officer assigned to the Academy in 1989, he developed and implemented the Field Training Officer program that pairs a probationary officer with and experienced police officer.  Ninety-eight percent of the department’s current complement has been FTO trained.  Captain Raabe’s professional development has included completion of the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Leadership College, the Police Executive Research Forum, and the Senior Manager Institute for Police in Harvard’s School of Government.  He serves as an instructor at the Police Academy and as a hearing officer to make recommendations to the Chief relative to officers’ behavior and conduct.  As commander of District Three, Captain Raabe has addressed safety and quality of life issues with innovative programs and partnerships.  Community leaders praise his dedication, accessibility, and the excellent service provided to citizens.

MOST CONSTRUCTIVE PLANS IDEA TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS

Sergeant Donald Schroder will be recognized for his innovative approach to disseminating information on wanted subjects and officer safety.  This information was traditionally distributed at bi-weekly investigative supervisors’ meetings or by e-mail, yet the information did not always reach the patrol officers who have the most contact with the public (and suspects) each day.  Sergeant Schroder devised a plan to broadcast the information over the City’s cable network around the clock, seven days a week to all city police facilities.  He borrowed equipment to broadcast the information.  Televisions placed in the roll call room of each police facility carry the information over I-Net channel 11; the signal is scrambled to everyone else.  He developed a template for officers to request broadcast of information.  As quickly as five minutes after an offense has been committed, the information on wanted suspects can be broadcast to all police facilities.  When a suspect is caught, a cancellation message is broadcast giving credit to the officer responsible for the arrest.  Sergeant Schroder searches the internet for information on officer safety and training bulletins to augment the broadcasts.  He has taken it upon himself to find new ways to improve the efficiency of the Police Department and to remove violent offenders from our streets.

SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PROFESSIONALISM

Although he’s not a sworn officer, The Reverend Father Bruno Kremp has been a member of Hamilton County’s law enforcement community for more than forty years.  He was ordained in 1965 and began performing police clergy duties in March 1967.  Father Bruno was one of the founding members of the Hamilton County Police Association’s Police Clergy Team.  Over the years, this team has grown to include 25 members who serve all low enforcement agencies in the county.  Father Bruno has been a leader for police clergy on a national level.  He has assisted the local FBI office and has traveled to Quantico for training.  He works effectively with all segments of the law enforcement profession.  This award category recognizes an individual who “exemplifies the high standards of the police profession, who has demonstrated a dependable, professional attitude on a continuous basis, who is fair and impartial in contacts with the community, who is an asset to the department.”  This certainly describes Father Bruno Kremp.

CITIZEN AWARD

Hamilton County Coroner Doctor O’dell Owens will be recognized for his efforts to bring the message of avoiding violence to the youth of Cincinnati.  He makes time in his busy schedule to visit schools to tell the students that getting an education and staying away from drugs and guns are the two of the most important things they can do to avoid becoming a case in his office.  His strong and clear presentations hold the attention of young people.

CORPORATE AWARD

The Corporate Appreciation Award goes to the Ford Motor Company and Ford Quality Care, Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers for continued sponsorship and support of law enforcement in our community.  They are longtime sponsors for the Police Appreciation and Achievement awards program.