Troutdale Police officer, worker given awards
The Troutdale Police Department celebrated employees chosen by their peers as being the best at what they do at its 2008 Employee of the Year award ceremony held Thursday, April 23, at Troutdale House on Historic Columbia River Highway.
The most prestigious awards of Employee of the Year and Officer of the Year were given, respectively, to Melody Thompson, administrative assistant with Troutdale Police Department, and Officer Carey Kaer.
Sgt. Marc Shrake praised Thompson as a highly efficient, multi-tasking worker who serves as a valuable “civilian” voice in the department.
“She brings a different perspective, even to the police problems we have,” Shrake said. “When something doesn’t seem right, she brings a fresh perspective. She takes on huge projects, and does them with the utmost ability. There’s lots of things we couldn’t do without her.”
Her peers also noted her work toward getting the department re-accredited with the Oregon Accreditation Alliance, a process described by police officials as tedious and work intensive.
“Melody is always willing to help, whether it’s a fellow employee or member of the public, and always seeks the best solution to a problem,” one of her nominators wrote.
As 2008 Officer of the Year, Shrake described Kaer as a “hard working officer” and “team player.”
“He always steps up to the plate even when he’s not asked to,” he said. “He’s had a huge impact as an instructor within the organization.”
A full-time officer since late 2003, Kaer was recognized as excelling in his patrol duties as well as his role with the East Metro Gang Enforcement Team. He also serves the department as a firearms and Taser instructor.
His peers described him as a “highly dedicated and motivated officer” who “always represents the department in a positive light, is a natural leader, and does not shy away from hard work.”
Other awards recipients include the following:
• Unit Citation Award: Reserve Officer Unit
• Public Service Award: Jorgan Shaw
• Meritorius Service Award: Richard Chew, citizen; Portland Police Sgt. Doug Gunderson; Troutdale officers Dave Boyce and Daren Taber; Troutdale detectives Pat Leahy and Greg Vining, Gresham Police detective Bob Peterson and Officer Casey Kotsovos.
Rappel training for police, K-9s
What those poor pooches don’t have to go through to keep people safe……
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Todd Moody, of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, and Shepard Rocky suspend from the south end of the West Metro Fire Station #7 in Lakewood on April 28. Provided by: Simon Moya-Smith
“This is all for the acclimation of the dog,” said officer Brian Lass, of the Arvada Police Department, at day one of three Colorado Police Canine Association training seminars at the West Metro Fire Station #7, 6315 Mississippi Ave., Lakewood, on April 28.
Geared at preparing front range police, S.W.A.T. and county sheriffs and their K-9 companions for “tactical, higher risk situations,” according to Laas, the afternoon included numerous training exercises such as climbing up rope ladders in the firehouse stairwell as well as rappelling down the outside of the fire station — all the while harnessed K-9s were latched to their handlers.
“This is more (a form of) intensive training,” said Laas, “(for situations) where the danger levels are a bit higher.”
K-9 unit trainers from the Utah County Sheriff’s Department were brought in by the Colorado Police Canine Association for efficiency purposes as well as to keep the overall training costs low, according to Laas. And with more than 12 highly trained police K-9s all participating in the day’s events, the out-of-state trainers carefully and meticulously attended each officer as they prepared for their depth-defying exercises.
“Some of the dogs are 60 pounds,” said Laas. “But we’ve got some that are up to 114 to 115 pounds.”
Officer Todd Moody, of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, executed the climbing and rappelling with companion Rocky, a tri-colored German Shepard, who seemed to have no problem with heights and quickly obliged to each of Moody’s commands.
“This is training we probably wouldn’t normally get ,” he said. “It’s a different set of practices.”
As one officer rappelled down the firehouse’s south exterior without his K-9 for a trail run, the assisting trainer asked him, “How much does your dog weigh?” The rappelling officer Mark Douglas responded, “About 75 pounds.” “Well,” said the trainer, “times that by four if the dog begins to shake. I want you (rappelling) at a snail’s pace.”
Kerry DiLorenzo, of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, said his dog, Ray, was named after his father and was as such in honor of his memory.
“This dog is a tribute to my dad,” he said. “He was a dog lover. When he died, he didn’t want any flowers at his funeral. He wanted all the money to go to TMAC, that’s the Table Mountain Animal Center.”
The Canine Association’s training exercises continues through April 30 where officers and the dogs will be trained in adverse conditions such as water deployment, insertions into crawl spaces as well as tactical obedience.
For more information about the Colorado Police Canine Association, go to http://coloradopolicek9.com.
Portsmouth police and their dogs honored
Police brass along with their K9 counterparts were in the limelight Monday night during the Working Dog Foundation’s 7th Annual K-9 Handlers Appreciation Dinner held at the Jarvis Center.
With their four-legged partners waiting in police cruisers outside, officers from Maine and New Hampshire communities first enjoyed dinner, dessert and beverages as WOKQ’s Mark Ericson emceed the banquet.
Close to 100 police officers and civilians were on hand to celebrate the event aimed at calling attention to the devotion, hard work and time the police K-9 handlers put into training their dogs for community safety.
Once the prime rib and stuffed chicken were taken out of view of the frisky canines, the handlers ushered their furry partners down the runway for all eyes to see.
Patti Ferland, executive director of the Working Dog Foundation, said the non-profits financial assistance in helping police departments obtain K-9s is not only vital to community safety, but critical during difficult budget seasons.
Having just taken over the position, Ferland is the first official paid employee of the foundation, something she said is a sign of how well things are going for the nonprofit.
Following a brief presentation from Portsmouth Police Capt. David “Lou” Ferland on the importance of providing bulletproof vests for the K-9s, the awards were handed out.
Officer Keith Mackenzie and K-9 Fina of Rochester were awarded the Narcotic Detection Case of the Year. Officer Steve Tenney and K-9 Laika of Keene received the Patrol Case of the year. Officer Adam Shaw and K-9 Proxy of Wells, Maine, took home the K-9 Handler of the Year.
The Volunteer of the Year award went to Lt. Tim Cohen of Lebanon and the Chairman’s Award was given to the Local Government Center of Concord.
Mary Jean Champlin, the mother of retired Portsmouth Capt. Janet Champlin, was also honored during the event. The foundation recognized her with the Lifetime Member Award.
For more information on the Working Dog Foundation visit, www.workingdog.org or contact Patti Ferland at 603-234-1162 for any questions or comments.
Cypress Place to Host Cinco de Mayo Celebration & Fundraiser
Join Cypress Place Senior Living for a Cinco de Mayo celebration & Fundraiser to benefit the National Police Dog Foundation. This foundation raises funds to support K-9 programs for various law enforcement agencies across America, including the Ventura Police and Sheriff’s K-9 units.
Bring your children to sit in a real police car and watch a K-9 demonstration with a police dog and his handler, a Ventura Police Officer. Enjoy a gourmet Mexican buffet, including homemade tamales. Sip on refreshing margaritas and Mexican beer while listening to the live music of a Mariachi band.
Suggested $5 donation for lunch. All proceeds will benefit the Police Dog Foundation. Residents, families, and friends of the community are welcome to attend.
This festive event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 2nd. Come support a wonderful cause that benefits our local community.
Cypress Place Senior Living is located at 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane in Ventura. For more information or to RSVP, please call 805-650-8000.
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