 Welcome. We're going to go ahead and get started a little bit early. Before we begin, may I ask that you all rise for the presentation of colors by the Durham Police Department Honor Guard. You may be seated. Good evening. It's good to see everyone tonight. My name is Patrice Bickers and I am pleased to welcome all of you to the City of Durham Police Department Service Awards Ceremony. This ceremony has been specifically coordinated and held to honor heroes who have made extraordinary contributions towards fulfilling the mission of the Durham Police Department. In addition, we will also honor the citizen heroes of this city that have worked tirelessly to partner with the Durham Police Department and strengthen the bond between law enforcement and community. Tonight is significant in that not only do we honor these individuals who have made such a lasting impact on all of us, but we are less than 24 hours away from the beginning of the Durham Police Department's National Police Week observance. The Durham Police Department will hold the annual police peace officers memorial service tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. at Union Baptist Church. The community is always welcome to attend. I would at this time like to acknowledge the following special guests. And if you are in attendance tonight, may I ask that you please stand as your name is being read. Durham City Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Cora Cole McFadden, welcome. Durham City Administration Deputy City Manager Ted Voorhees, welcome. Deputy City Manager Keith Chadwell, Deputy City Manager Wanda Page. Chief of Police Chris Blue, Chapel Hill Police Department. The Durham Police Department Executive Staff. Chief of Police Anthony L. Majette, Raleigh Durham International Airport Police Department. First Sergeant Kerry D. Kane, the second North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Captain Adam Clayton, Durham County Sheriff's Office, welcome. And Loranda Scott, State Executive Director of MAD North Carolina. And one final thing before we really get into this program, just an important note. The ceremony is airing live tonight on DTV Channel 8 Time Warner Cable. It will be rebroadcasts at various times during the month and will be made available online for your on-demand viewing. At this time, I would like to ask Chaplain Ralph Thompson to come forward please for our invocation. Join me in prayer now. Sovereign Lord, we come to you tonight. Lord, standing in this place that represents our city. And Lord, we say thank you for Durham. Lord, you have shown your mercy to us as a city and your favor. And Lord, we say thank you for giving us so much more than we deserve. Thank you for your grace that you have poured out on our city. And we want to say thank you for the men and women who serve us in uniform to keep our streets and our homes safe. Lord, thank you for calling them to our city to serve you and to serve us. And tonight as we recognize them, Lord, I just pray that each one of them would just know in their heart that they have answered the call that you have placed in them and that they are doing your duty here. And I just thank you for every man and woman behind the badge here in Durham. Just ask that you be with us tonight as we go through this ceremony. And Lord, I pray that what we do here would be honorable in your sight. And we say that in Jesus' name, amen. At this time, I would like to ask Chief of Police, Durham Police Department, Jose Lopas Sr. to come up and make some remarks. Thank you very much. Well, I want to say thank you all for attending and being part of this. This is the third annual ceremony that we have. And it's very good to see how an idea that staff from the Durham Police Department got a few years back has turned into an annual event that they work very hard for. Now, I looked up the word hero in the dictionary and I figured I'd bring the definition to you and give it to you. But it was a Spanish dictionary and I don't think you would understand it at this point. But the reality is that heroes mean a lot of things to different people. They come in all shapes and sizes. They come from all walks of life. And to be a hero, you don't necessarily have to risk your life. You don't necessarily have to almost see death. You just have to take, when you don't have to, risk a little bit and help someone out and make their lives better. And we see this when we look at some of our youth and we take the time to be a hero, to mentor them, to make sure that their lives are better. We see this when we see officers involve themselves in extremely courageous situations. We see heroes all over. That's why I really don't need to define it. I think everyone here has an idea and knows what a hero looks like when they see one. One of the problems with some of the heroes that we have here, especially in the law enforcement, is that they don't make themselves available for the applause. They don't stand by and wait for the accolades. They move on and they live their lives and they make it seem like it's just part of the job. But the reality is that it's not just part of your job. The reality is that these officers have gone out of their way. They have chosen a path and they have gone into a career field that they've chosen that we make difficult for them through the academy phase and all to make sure that they know that this is what they want to do. And they've decided to go out and become heroes in their communities by virtue of the fact that if you look at what we're going to be doing tomorrow at the memorial that they put themselves in harm's way just by coming to work every day. And to me, I'd say they are heroes. I want to commend them all for the work they've done. I wish that I could commend all of them at one time. We'll discuss that later. But I'm very glad that I am part of an organization that truly are heroes in this community and that I'm also part of a community that has heroes coming forth every day. And I hope that when we look at these individuals who will be presenting today that we realize that we are among people who are out there doing for us what we're not willing to do at times and that we can appreciate them and take a moment to appreciate them today. But I'm hopeful that in the future you continue to appreciate them when they're not waiting for the applause and when they're not looking for the accolades. Thank you. I did say remarks. So I'm going to keep it to remarks. It's been a while since I've seen them write down speech because I think they're very well aware of what I would do with that. And I guess there's a time limit towards it. So thank you very much. We'll move into the presentation of the awards. I'd like to ask Deputy Chief Machayich and Deputy Chief Clyburn to please come forward to present the awards for this evening. Chief Lopez, if you'll also come up please, sir. Good evening. The first award that we're going to present tonight is the Community Services Award. The Community Service Award is presented to citizens for outstanding service to the community and to public safety. The first one of these is to Stephen McNulty and Rob Corns. We're presenting our first award to these two gentlemen from Milan Woods. This is a neighborhood in District 1. And from here on I'm going to be referring to them as Steve and Rob because I knew them as Steve and Rob for a long time before I even knew what their last names were. They have just been just unbelievable members of the community to the police department for a number of years. As I said, their residents of the Milan Woods neighborhood and they've worked tirelessly over the last few years to strengthen the police community partnerships that we have today. They have coordinated the neighborhood watch in that area and sacrificed so much of their personal time to work with us in the police department and in their community to reduce even the opportunity for crime to come into their neighborhood. Their efforts have brought forth Milan Woods neighborhood watch program into such positive recognition throughout Durham that they truly are an example to other neighborhoods for what a neighborhood watch program is supposed to be. They've been instrumental in the National Night Out programs in Milan Woods and they also help coordinate every year an annual neighborhood fair which brings the residents of their community together, they share information and they meet with various city departments. Throughout their efforts, they have been recognized by the Durham Police Department's Public Relations Unit for participating in many of our events during the course of time. They're members of PAC-1, however, they also attend other PAC meetings in other districts just so they can stay aware of issues that are affecting other communities. They like to support their neighbors even if they're not in District 1. They have assisted the Durham Police Department's annual block captain workshop for the last few years and they've even donated their own personal funds to help with the cost of this program. These two guys are truly ambassadors for the Durham Police Department and they are exceptional examples of citizens who care and who make a real difference. Thank you. Our second recipient tonight is Donna Broustad. Donna is the manager of Isaiah Park Apartments and she has also worked tirelessly to strengthen the community police partnerships that we have, especially with the Isaiah Park residents. She became the Isaiah Park Neighborhood Watch Coordinator in 2005. It was right after that they had a serious arson fire in the apartment complex and she has been such a strong proponent against crime and for crime prevention in that community since then. She has also supported us in so many of the community-oriented police activities there. Isaiah Park won the 2007 Neighborhood Watch Award of Excellence from the National Sheriffs Association and under Ms. Broustad's leadership she's received the National Night Out All-Star Award from the National Association for Town Watch for the last four consecutive years. So 2008 through 2011 she has consistently sent her residents to all of our DPD events and several of our training programs throughout the year and she's hosted a variety of public safety events within Isaiah Park for her residents. She has truly fostered the type of relationships that we want with the owners, the management of Isaiah Park, the Durham Police Department and the community members. She has truly made such a lasting difference in her community and that is rare to find. The Durham Police Department is proud to have partners like Donna Broustad. Our next recipient, Mr. Herb Sellers. He has been a partner and a friend to the Durham Police Department's POW program which is our police athletic league. Mr. Sellers is a retired employee of the Durham Parks and Recreation Department and he's currently the chairman of the Durham Bulls Youth Athletic League. Now Mr. Sellers has volunteered countless hours. Working with the POW program he has played a major role in the coordination of our POW baseball, basketball and soccer leagues. He spends numerous hours every week helping the team practice. He recruits volunteers and he plans events. He volunteers for POW events almost every Saturday and works with the children in all the POW sports. He is a crucial part in our opinion of what makes the POW program the success that it is. He uses his time and his talents to make Durham a better community. He has made such an impact on the lives of so many young people and the Durham Police Department is again proud to have partners like Herb Sellers. Thank you. And all of these are long overdue but I have to say that this one is truly, truly overdue for so many reasons. Our next recipient is Ms. Ollie Chandler Jeffers. Now Ms. Ollie Jeffers is the leader with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She has provided such a long standing and vital support for the Durham Police Department, especially at our Traffic Services Unit. She has been an advocate of our Traffic Services Unit for many, many years. She has been a mainstay at almost every booze at her Luzik campaign that we have had in Durham. She provides food and drinks for not only all of us but for every other law enforcement agency that assists us with these booze at her Luzik campaigns. She has been such an inspiration to all of us but she's also been a powerful presence in the courtrooms in Durham County where she works tirelessly to ensure that DWI offenders are dealt with in an appropriate manner. She created and expanded many of the capabilities that we have in Traffic Services Unit just from a support capacity that really means so much to us. She has been responsible for providing portable breath testing devices to each member of that unit. She's also provided unique educational opportunities at a local, state and national level. Her passion for the victims of drunken driving accidents and for the identification, apprehension and prosecution of drunken drivers has made Durham police officers better equipped in their quest to eradicate this problem. Ollie Jeffers has been such a great friend to the Durham Police Department and we are so grateful to have had an opportunity to work with her for so many years. She is really a wonderful lady who truly cares about all of us and she has made such a difference in all of our lives. Thank you. Our next recipient is Mr. Harold Chestnut. Mr. Chestnut has provided such outstanding leadership for us all with the National Night Out Observance over the past few years but especially in 2010 and 2011. He has been such an active member in many community groups that there is probably not a part of Durham that he has not enhanced or touched over the years. Mr. Chestnut has been the facilitator for PAC-4 and he's also been our citywide PAC facilitator. He has served on the Citizens' Capital Improvement Panel, the Citywide Inner PAC Environmental Justice Committee and as President of Seniors and Law Enforcement Together or SALT. When Mr. Chestnut learned in 2010 that our usual funding for National Night Out would not be available, he took the initiative to explore new possibilities and had the Citywide PAC coordinate a 2010 celebration. He worked hard in many areas to ensure that this event was a success and he's once again, after that, very instrumental in making sure that the 2011 National Night Out ran smoothly as well. Mr. Chestnut's continued support and involvement has contributed to Durham's National Night Out awards since 2006 and we have been really successful in the past six years and a lot of that is because of Mr. Chestnut. What is most appreciated by the Durham Police Department is Mr. Chestnut's cooperative, pleasant spirit. He consistently demonstrates sincere, selfless approaches in serving the community and working with the Durham Police Department staff and we are so proud to work and partner with him. Thank you, sir. And at this time, we're going to do the Certificate of Merits and Deputy Chief Steve Mahatch will do that. Thank you. Good evening. Certificate of Merit is presented for outstanding performance or devotion to duty, possibly involving personal safety. First recipients are Sgt. Dale Gunner and Rodney Hunter. On October 13, 2010, Sgt. Gunner and Hunter responded to a suicide threat call on the Durham Freeway at Fulton. A male told him he was going to jump off the bridge because he was depressed over his girlfriend leaving him. The male was armed with a knife and had half his body hanging off the bridge just over the freeway. Sgt. Gunner and Hunter were able to use their crisis intervention training and skills to talk the man off the bridge and disarm him at the same time. Due to their swift and courageous actions, Sgt. Gunner and Hunter saved a man's life and was able to get help and has become a productive citizen in this community. This was written by their supervisor. Using their skills, CIT knowledge and training, Sgt. Gunner and Hunter went above and beyond the call of duty providing exceptional service to a citizen in need. Sgt. Gunner and Hunter put their lives at risk to save a life of a man they did not know. They went above and beyond the call of duty to serve the city of Durham. This award is giving recognition of their outstanding performance. Next recipient is Corporal John Stokes. Corporal John Stokes went above and beyond the call of duty in helping a resident of his district who was in dire need of mental health services. Corporal Stokes assisted a CIT investigator doing an intervention on this resident during February of 2012. The resident had been the cause of numerous calls for service, drug complaints, and domestic disturbances at his home. And these incidents were escalating. Corporal Stokes took the time and effort to build a rapport with the man and convinced him to seek help. Upon convincing the man to accept help, Corporal Stokes found a bed in a long-term substance abuse facility in Wilmington. He used his own accrued vacation time and personal vehicle to drive the man to the treatment facility in Wilmington, which is two and a half hours away. Without assistance from Corporal Stokes, it is likely the man would not have gotten the help that he needed. Corporal Stokes' actions demonstrated true professionalism, as well as a genuine care and concern for the residents that he serves. This award is given in recognition of his outstanding performance. Next recipients are Officer Jesse Green and Robert Clink. On August 26, 2011, Officer Green and Clink and other Heat 3 officers conducting surveillance on Rosedale when they noticed several people on the roadway. As Officer Green and Clink drove by, the people scattered and the officers noticed a man lying on the road. The officers checked the man and discovered that he had been shot and seriously injured. The officers called for EMS to check the man's vital signs. They noticed that he had stopped breathing. Immediately, they began giving CPR and the man started breathing again. The officers checked the man's vital signs until EMS arrived. Officer Green rode to the hospital with EMS and the patient. The male has since recovered from his injuries. Officer Green and Clink worked as a team during a stressful situation and saved a man's life. This award is given in recognition of their outstanding performance. Next recipient is Officer Joshua Haynes. On November 5, 2011, Officer Haynes was dispatched to a cardiac arrest call. The male who was unresponsive and not breathing. Officer Haynes notified 9-1-1 communications about the situation and immediately began performing CPR. The second officer survived and the officers placed the man on the floor and Officer Haynes continued to perform CPR until EMS arrived. The man started to breathe again and EMS transported him to the hospital where he eventually recovered. The man was able to be resuscitated due to Officer Haynes' quick actions and training. He instinctively, without hesitation, conducted CPR on a stranger, ultimately resulting in the life being saved. By demonstrating his exceptional devotion to duty as the Durham Police Officer, this serves as an example for others to emulate, wrote his supervisor. Next recipients aren't here. Officer Charles Irwin and Officer Darrell Smith. Assistant Chief Forbes will accept their recognition. Officer Charles Irwin and Officer Darrell Smith were investigating a traffic accident. Traffic accident on the icy interstate, I-40 bridge near I-40 on February 20th, 2012. Many of you may remember that was the day we had the bad ice storm. When Officer Irwin saw Officer Irwin saw a tractor trailer jackknifing behind their patrol car and told Officer Smith to brace himself. Tractor trailer crashed into the back of the patrol car causing the patrol car to catch fire immediately and crushing the driver's side door. Officer Smith was able to get out on the passenger side but Officer Irwin was trapped and flames were overtaking the vehicle. The patrol car was engulfed in flames and fluids were leaking from the patrol car and the tractor trailer when the officers were able to exit the car and able to help the driver or the truck get out. Officer Irwin and Recruit Smith acted in a calm and fearless manner in assisting each other in what was obviously a dangerous, perilous situation. The two officers demonstrated poise, compassion and bravery and risked personal safety in the face of imminent danger in order to save the life of another. Officer Irwin was working as a police training officer with Recruit Smith when this incident occurred. This award is given in recognition of their outstanding performance. Deputy Chief Clyburn will now present the Distinguished Service Medals. The Distinguished Service Medals are awarded to officers and dangerous persons which causes grave and or imminent danger to the officer or to officers who perform an act that warrants such recognition. Corporal Thomas B. McMaster is our recipient tonight. On June 9, 2011, Corporal Thomas McMaster was assisting Heat 4 with the execution of a search warrant in McDougal Terrace where officers were executing the warrant. A male suspect fled from the scene and Corporal McMaster pursued him. As he was chasing the suspect, he could see that the male was trying to pull a gun from his waistband. The male ran into the woods and Corporal McMaster was following close behind. Corporal McMaster was able to tackle the man and they both fell to the ground. A struggle ensued and Corporal McMaster fought with the man to gain control of the firearm. During this altercation, Corporal McMaster suffered a severely fractured hand. He was able to take the man into the custody and recover the firearm despite this injury. Corporal McMaster's supervisor wrote this about Corporal McMaster and this incident. Corporal McMaster displayed qualities during that event that all Durham Police officers should strive to display. He continued to chase an armed suspect knowing that he himself may be injured and even after receiving a serious injury, he continued to fight and did not give up. Thank you. At this time, I would like to introduce the Durham Police Department civilian of the year medal. Jennifer Snyder The Durham Police Department's civilian employee of the year medal is presented by the department to a non sworn employee of the department for exceptional performance throughout the year. Jennifer Snyder joined the Durham Police Department as the Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator in 2007. And since that time, she has enhanced the partnerships internally and externally and developed several new programs and initiatives. She is constantly planning, collaborating, meeting, sending thank yous to everybody and checking items off of her to do list. She attends community events at night on the weekends no matter when they are in addition to her regularly scheduled hours. She is constantly coming up with new ways to spread the message about gun violence prevention. She spearheaded the safety and numbers campaign which reached more than 31,000 people in 136 neighborhoods in 2010. The next year, she introduced the celebratory gunfire initiative which included a billboard art contest for grade school students. She partnered with the Southside Youth Initiative, collaborated with the Durham Housing Authority for the summer youth initiatives in four Durham Housing Authority housing communities. She has facilitated several high profile community responses and volunteered to participate in the district commander tours. Her most recent campaign is the Faith Acts Initiative in which Durham religious organizations are invited to become partners with the Durham Police Department in the fight against crime. Her goal is to get productive conversations going between active religious congregations and the Durham Police commanders and officers. Jennifer Snyder's dedication, innovation and positive attitude play a vital role in the success of the Durham Police Department and we thank you. Next award is going to be the Officer of the Year Medal. Durham Police Department, Officer of the Year Medal is presented by the Department to an officer for outstanding performance throughout the year. Our recipient for 2011 is Officer Cornel Richards the Second. Corporal Cornel Richards was just recently promoted. Corporal Cornel Richards the Second joined the Durham Police Department in 2007 and has been an outstanding officer who both excels and handling calls and working well with the community. In January of 2011, Corporal Richards made another call about a suicidal male on a bridge over the Durham Freeway. Corporal Richards and another officer were able to wrestle the man to safety and take him to the hospital for help. In another case, Corporal Richards made the extra effort to find out the underlying issues at a call and was able to provide help to two young women who had been involved in a prostitution ring. In 2011 also, Corporal Richards responded to an arm robbery of a Chinese food delivery man. Corporal Richards didn't take down the basic information. He spent several hours following up on the information locating the suspect in this case. Suspect was later charged with several arm robberies and he cleared over ten cases. Corporal Richards has not only made outstanding arrests but he has gone above and beyond in his concern for the community. Last June, Corporal Richards used his own money to purchase several pizzas which he and other members of his squad then handed out to residents of Oxford Manor. During the summer, Corporal Richards volunteered to come in on his days off to conduct surveillance in a neighborhood hard hit by burglaries. These are just the few of the things that Corporal Richards did in 2011. We would be here probably another 30 minutes if we had to read everything that he did last year. By demonstrating his exceptional devotion to duty and to the safety and care of Durham citizens, Corporal Richards is the Durham Police Department's 2011 outstanding officer of the year. Next award is going to be the Medal of Valor. Medal of Valor is the highest recognition given by the Police Department. It is granted to members who distinguish themselves by gallantry and bravery in an attempt to preserve life or property at a clear risk of personal safety. The act must be so conspicuous that it clearly distinguishes the member as one who acted far and beyond the call of duty. Master Officer Thomas J. Douglas Jr. Master Officer Master Officer Douglas was in the courthouse parking lot on September 22nd, 2010 when he heard a loud bang and saw that a minivan had jumped the curb and crashed into an adjacent building. The wheels were still spinning causing a tremendous amount of smoke. Master Officer Douglas approached the van and saw that the driver was having a seizure. He opened the door and pulled the driver's foot off the accelerator. Master Officer Douglas heard a young boy scream for help from the back of the van and fired him out of the vehicle. The driver continued to have seizures. Master Officer Douglas held her head and assured her that she would be all right. The witness yelled that the engine compartment of the van was on fire. Officer Douglas tried to move the driver but her legs were pinned under the dashboard due to the collision. Officer Douglas and a citizen were able to free the driver's legs and both the citizen and Officer Douglas then picked her up and carried her to the parking attendance booth. The citizen retreated to fire extinguisher from the parking attendance booth and put out the fire. The driver and her son were transported to the hospital. Master Officer Douglas rescued the driver and her son at clear risk to his personal safety. We commend him for his quick thinking and heroic actions. Congratulations. At this time we would like to recognize the past and present award honorees and recipients of the Durham Police Department ACES Award Durham Civitan Clubs Lewis J. Carver Outstanding Service Award and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration Outstanding Task Force Commander Award. Deputy Chief Clyburn and Deputy Chief Mahiatch will do those honors as well. Will an investigative Kyle York please come forward? Investigative Kyle York is a Durham Police Officer assigned to the DEA Task Force. He was honored in 2011 by the DEA as a 2010 Outstanding Task Force Commander. Investigative York joined the Police Department in 1995 has been a member of the DEA Task Force since 2002. York is currently the initiative commander for the Triangle High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area which is based in the DEA office. I'd like to say that this is a grant that we applied for in 2006 that initially started in the Triangle and now is moved to Asheville as well as the Triad. Investigative York is essentially responsible for about a half a million dollars. He coordinates all the funds for that grant and it's a huge responsibility and he does an outstanding job for it. I would like to just give you a few names of the folks who have been in participation with the ACES Awards for the last few years. It's the American Society for Industrial Security and this is the legend of Excellence Award nominees. The ACES International is an organization for security professionals. They have over 37,000 members. I'm going to name the year and the officer if you could come up when I call your name. The participants are not here but we are still going to honor them at this time. In 2004 the ACES recipient was Corporal Robert C. Swartz. In 2005 the ACES recipient was Corporal Vincent B. Pearsall. In 2006 the ACES recipient was Officer Archie R. Massey. In 2007 retired investigator Art Holland Jr. In 2008 investigator Jason Smith 2009 Sergeant Mark Murray 2010 Corporal Brian Schnee and 2011 Officer Edwin Gineo. If you gentlemen will step up we want to thank you very much for this recipient. I'll be doing the same thing. There's several officers over the years that have gotten the Durham Civitan Club Louis J. Carver Outstanding Service Award. For 2003 and 2004 Lieutenant David Addison. 2005 Sergeant Jack Cates. 2006 retired Master Officer Eric Hester. 2007 Officer Penny Stewart. 2008 Corporal Dante Pharrell. 2009 Investigator Jason D. Evans. 2010 Officer Monte Sutherland. And 2011 Investigator Charles Sowell. Please join me in congratulating these officers. Let's give one more round of applause to all of our award recipients. At this time I would like to ask Chaplain Ralph Thompson to come up one more time for our benediction. That's about for prayer. This reminded us of your care and concern for our city. And we again say thank you for the men and women who work every day to protect us on the streets and in our homes. For this coming year before we get to have this ceremony again there's going to be daily opportunities for these men and women and their counterparts to be heroes again. But every day every shift practically every call will bring that opportunity and I just want to pray for them today. Lord that you would give them an extra measure of your wisdom every time that they put on their uniform. Lord you would give them an extra measure of your strength every time that they have to work a 12 hour shift. And Lord every time that they look into the darkness you would give them an extra measure of your courage. What I pray for these men and women and pray for them is they protect us. Thank you again for the great gift of the Durham Police Department to our city and I say that in Jesus name. Amen. I think you got that church after all. This just about wraps up our program. I just have a few closing remarks. In closing I would like to extend a special thank you department awards committee assistant chief Winslow Forbes you'll have to stand one more time please sir. Thank you. Master Officer Jacqueline Fountain Dolores Morgan Cammy Michael and Kimberly Walker these individuals have worked tirelessly long hours at home late hours at work to put together the presentation of the awards that you see here. I'd also like to recognize Captain Kevin Cates who is not here he handed the torch over to me for the chair of the awards committee and I hope that I did him proud tonight. In addition I would also like to thank the Durham Police Department Honor Guard. Durham Police Explorer Post Number 357 City of Durham Public Affairs Office and the City of Durham General Services. Thank you very much. There's one more person I'd like to recognize and this is completely off of the program so bear with me just for one minute we're early. I'd like to recognize a woman who since coming to joining our police family in 2007 2007 she has become one of our own. She is a former police officer in Hartford Connecticut. She is going to kill me at this point but she has taken many moments of her time out to make phone calls of concern to officers that have been injured officers who family members have been sick and just officers that maybe aren't having the best day. She has taken time out to promote and orchestrate together a family day in which she actually speaks to the family members of our new police officers. That is commendable. So having said that and I could say a lot more but then we would be running over I'd like to thank and offer my appreciation and as well as all of our appreciation to you Mrs. Rebecca Lopez. And finally I would like to thank the families of all of our officers and citizens of Hartford. Your unwavering support gives us the drive to continue to be the best that we can be each and every day. We truly appreciate all of you for everything that you do to uphold all of us. Thank you. At this point before I cry some more concludes our award ceremony. Thank you once again for coming. Chief Lopez invites all of you to join him for refreshments just outside in the lobby. Thank you and good night.