Medal of Merit Class B
Established 1972

September 6, 1975

Officer David Huberty
Officer Huberty and his partner Jerome Kubash observed smoke billowing from a residential apartment at 373 Virginia. Officer Huberty crawled into the apartment and located an unconscious victim. He brought the victim to safety and started first aid. Officer Huberty was awarded the First Medal of Merit in the history of the department.

January 15, 1977

Officer John Fisher
While off duty at Highway 5 and the Mississippi River bridge, Officer Fisher observed a vehicle overturned and on tire. He approached the burning vehicle and put his life in danger to rescue the woman trapped inside.

August 11, 1987

Officer Michael Garvey
Officer Kevin Hammel
At grave personal risk, officers entered a burning building, put out a gasoline fire and assisted people from the burning building, saving human lives and preventing considerable property damage.

January 6, 1995

Officer Leonard Rogge
For his response to a fire where he prevented a child from reentering the apartment and checked the second floor for other residents.

July 18, 1985

Officer Richard Tibesar
For entering a burning building at great risk to himself in search of possible victims.

December 17, 1985

Officer Francis Jacobs
For the arrest of two aimed robbery suspects without regard for his own personal safety.

December 17, 1985

Officer Richard Muñoz
For the arrest of two armed robbery suspects without regard for his own personal safety.

October 17, 1986

Officer Timothy Poucher
For the rescue of an infant from a burning building.

December 6, 1986

Officer Gary Rivet
Officer Joseph Stiles
Officer Joseph Mollner
For the superior investigation of a homicide.

March 26, 1987

Sergeant Richard Weisman
For the arrest of a murder suspect.

January 5, 1988

Officer Terrance O’Brien
For protecting the victims of an in-progress robbery with disregard to his own personal safety.

September 14, 1988

Sergeant James Feckey
For saving a woman trapped in a burning vehicle.

August 19, 1989

Officer Cyril Dargay
Officer Catherine Janssen
Officer Patrick Lyttle
For safety removing a young child from a house totally engulfed in flames.

November 10, 1989

Officer Timothy Bradley
For safety removing a hysterical woman from an apartment engulfed in flames and smoke.

January 20, 1990

Officer Shoua Cha
For safely removing an unconscious man locked in a burning vehicle.

September 9, 1990

Officer Norman Cherrey
Officer David Gora
For their courageous performance in the rescue effort of a woman from the Mississippi River.

December 16, 1990

Officer Michael Maloney
Officer Douglas Holtz
For life saving actions at a residential fire exemplifying professionalism its best.

March 10, 1993

Officer John Wess
For his actions in administering CPR and saving the life of a child who had stopped breathing.

July 17, 1993

Officer David Mathison
For his diligence and dedication to duty in administering CPR and saving the life of a child who had fallen into a swimming pool and stopped breathing.

August 26, 1993

Commander Laurence McDonald
For his dedication to duty and outstanding performance in handling the department’s response to Operation Rescue during the summer.

July 24, 1993

Officer Howard Swintek
For his dedication to duty and outstanding performance involving an emotionally disturbed person who had barricaded herself in a motel room. The situation was ultimately resolved successfully.

December 11, 1993

Officer Thu Cha
Officer John Dewitt
Officer Ronald Ryan, Jr.
For their actions in rescuing three small children from a house fire on the East Side.

February 12, 1994

Officer Don Benner
Officer Jane Cooper
Officer Gerald Johnson
Officer Steven Smith
For their actions involving a homicide at 782 Dayton Avenue. After hearing gunfire they were part of a team that secured the premises, detained 28 people in the residence, recovered evidence and remained in control of a volatile situation. The suspect was identified from the 28 people detained.

September 3, 1994

Officer Arnold Paul
For disarming a dangerous suspect who had taken a hostage, with no harm to anyone. He confronted the suspect and through skillful police work and quick thinking prevented that suspect from escaping.

February 3, 1995

Officer John Wess
For his superior judgment in disarming a person threatening suicide.

October 24, 1993

Officer Patrick Lyttle
For preventing the escape of an armed individual. Disregarding his own safety, Officer Lyttle challenged the suspect and affected his arrest.

February 10, 1995

Officer Lila Janis
For remarkable control at a call involving several youths, one of them armed. This person was later arrested without incident.

April 10, 1995

Sergeant John LaBossiere
For an arrest of an armed assault suspect in a congested downtown area.

July 24, 1995

Officer Robed Fleming
Officer Bradley Schultz
For subduing an armed and suicidal youth.

August 16, 1995

Officer Patrick Kellerman
For the safe removal of a suicidal “EDP” person from the concrete arch over the Robert Street Bridge.

August 20, 1995

Officer Jeffry Lewis
For saving an unconscious individual at home.

January 25, 1996

Sergeant John M. Culhane
Sergeant Thomas F. Dunaski
For the long term FBI Drug Task Force investigation into the murder and drug sales that culminated in a murder conviction, 30 convictions of Twin City cocaine dealers, involving 16 out-of-state distribution gangs.

December 16, 1995

Officer Howard J. Swintek
For the arrest of an armed suspect in the robbery of the Midway National Bank where the suspect fled and abducted a car, holding two citizens at gunpoint

April 15, 1996

Officer Lenora E. Travls
For being instrumental in arresting one of the suspects who had fled from the scene of a shooting where Ramsey County Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant A. Blakey was shot.

July 7, 1996

Sergeant Dennis L. Jensen
Sergeant Eugene P. Polyak
Officer William F. Krismer
For the arrest of an aggravated assault suspect that exchanged gunfire with arresting officers.

July 25, 1996

Officer Holly E. Brodt
Officer Bruce F. Brodt
For attempting to save a suicidal party under extreme and hazardous conditions.

August 7, 1996

Officer Steve J. Anderson
Officer John P. Buchmeier
For the handling of an armed robbery in progress where victims’ lives were threatened.

August 25, 1996

Officer James S. Campbell
Officer Jane L. Laurence
Officer Mark P. Wiegel
For the handling of a homicide incident and the containment of the shooting suspect.

August 28, 1996

Officer David A. Clemens
Officer Howard J. Swintek
For risking their lives in removing two children from harm’s way, and in the search for other possible residents in a home fire.

November 6, 1997

Officer Timothy R. Bradley
Officer Julie K. Harris
Officer Vincent E. Martin
Officer Thomas A. Perzichilli
Officer David A. Sohm
Officer Robert L. Thomasser
For risking their lives while confronting an armed suspect who fired a handgun several times as he wandered from one location to another threatening citizens and ultimately pointing his gun at officers as be advanced toward them.

February 25, 1997

Officer Amy M. Boyer
Officer Kenneth C. Jensen
Officer Thomas Perzichilli
Officer Kathleen O’Reilly
Officer Robert Weier
For risking their lives in rescue of victims from the porch roof of a burning house; for rescuing a person from inside the burning house and for reentering the house in an attempt to save another.

September 6, 1997

Officer Jeffrey Slagerman
For steadfast courage and steady calmness while a suicidal man pointed a gun at the officer, allowing the officer to get other family members to safety and talk the armed man into surrendering.

April to December 1997

Sergeant Patrick D. Kellerman
Officer Michael A. Ardolf
Officer Raymond A. Gainey
Officer Peter T. Panos
Officer Timothy C. Pinoniemi
For developing and implementing an undercover storefront operation targeting street level drug dealers through their use of cellular phones.

March 10, 1998

Officer David C. Peterson
For dedication to duty and professionalism in apprehending a suspect armed with a handgun without using deadly force though such use would have been appropriate.

December 1997

Sergeant Patricia T. Englund
Officer Richard W. Straka
For dedication to duty and professionalism while working with Asian gangs in initiating a criminal sexual conduct investigation which led to the identification of numerous victims and the arrest of eight suspects.

May 26, 1998

Sergeant Charles K Anderson
Sergeant Neil P. Nelson
Sergeant Richard J. Munoz
Officer Timothy P. Lynaugh
For courage and dedication in effecting the arrest of four murder suspects. The officers were clearly in harm’s way. Officer Lynaugh’s K-9, Callahan, was shot and killed by one of the suspects.

October 29, 1998

Sergeant Nancy J. Smolik
For extraordinary dedication and an invaluable contribution while working endless hours (sometimes around the clock) during the 603/Six Mob Gangsters murder investigation.

February 27, 2002

Sergeant Tom Dunaski
For actions exemplifying professionalism at its best. On July 20, 1996, four year old Devisha Gillum was murdered by gunfire while sitting in a car with her mother in a gas station. You worked with Sergeant Nancy Smolik, Sergeant Jane Mead and Officer Rob Kosloske, to plan the use of informants and intelligence gathering techniques allowing officers to infiltrate three drug operations. Following their arrests and facing a range of prison sentences three 60's Crips leaders cooperated with the murder investigation. The murderers were eventually brought to justice.

September 26, 2002

Officer James Nash
For actions exempliying professionalism at its best. You and your K-9 partner Mic assisted at a home invasion call. You encountered the suspect who was pointing a gun at the victim. Ignoring your commands to drop the gun the suspect turned the gun on you. You began to squeeze the trigger on your Glock but another victim got into your line of fire, you refrained from shooting and the suspect ran away. You and Mic then tracked and apprehended the suspect. You exercised quick and sound judgment in a deadly force situation.

November 26, 2002

Officer Jeffrey A. Whitbeck
For exceptional actions when you were assigned to an arrest team for a buy/bust detail. After receiving the bust signal, you and other officers moved in for the arrest. The suspect then accelerated his vehicle towards you and other officers. Fearing for the safety of other officers, you fired two rounds at the suspect in attempt to change his course of action. Your quick and brave actions lead suspect to swerve, missing other officers and saving them and yourself from further injury.

May 29, 2003

Officer Robert A. Stanway
For exceptional actions when noticed a man with one leg over the railing of a bridge looking like he was going to jump. When you arrived on scene he now had his back towards you and was completely over the railing. He told you that he was going to jump and that you could not stop him. You walked closer while talking to him. When you got close enough you grabbed him in a "bear hug" and several motorists that had stopped, helped you pull him back over the railing. With disregard for your own safety, you prevented the suspect from taking his own life.

January 29, 2004

Officer Ann Anderson
Officer Cort Baumgart
Officer Darren Johnson
Officer Shawn M. Shanley
Officer Jeff Stiff
For exceptional actions after being sent to a domestic call. Information stated the son threatened his mother with a gun and left in a white vehicle. The vehicle was spotted and a felony stop developed. The driver was secured, but the passenger reached under the passenger seat and pulled out a gun. You maintained cover while ordering the suspect to drop his weapon. Fearing for the safety of all officers and nearby patrons, you had to use deadly force.

March 30, 2004

Officer Steven T. Jabs
For exceptional actions after you responded to a call to check the welfare of an elderly woman. Once there, you observed a male inside the house. He opened the door. You questioned him as to the whereabouts of the woman. Suspicious of his story, you secured him and entered the house. You found the woman unconscious and barely breathing. The suspect choked her and planned on robbing her. You rendered first aid and requested medics for the woman. Without your quick thinking and persistence, the woman may have suffered life-threatening injuries.