Lubbock Police Department gains 10 new officers

The force of the Lubbock Police Department got a little stronger on Friday.

In a graduation ceremony, Lubbock Police welcomed ten new officers. They are part of the 2010 Bravo class and completed 23 weeks of training.

“My dad was prior law enforcement and I can’t think of a better way to serve my community than to literally risk my life for it,” said Philip Standefer, Lubbock Police Officer.

The new graduates will spend the next twenty weeks in field training before they hit the streets on their own.

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Lacey police officer never missed a day on job in 30 years

Lacey police Sgt. Rick Monk’s 30 years of protecting and serving the community ended Friday with a remarkable achievement: He never once took a sick day during his entire career on the force.

To mark his perfect work record, the command staff at Lacey Police Department on Friday presented Monk with a special gift in the Lacey City Council chambers. In front of a room packed with Lacey officers and police from other Thurston County agencies, Monk received a framed, autographed photo of baseball’s “iron man,” Cal Ripken Jr., who set a major-league baseball record by playing in 2,632 games in a row for the Baltimore Orioles.

Lacey police Cmdr. John Suessman said Monk worked 7,120 days, averaging a 10 ½-hour shift each day. That averages out to 240 shifts each year for 30 years — weekends, holidays and vacations excluded.

“It is your dedication to service that we will never forget,” Suessman said.

Ripken signed the photo: “Here’s to a real iron man, enjoy your retirement.”

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Salt Lake police dog makes first bust on second day

It’s all still a big game to Otto. For him, finding hidden items means lots of attention.

But when Otto, a Belgian Malinois, helped police officers find meth inside a car Thursday night, he proved he could handle his new job.

“I was so excited last night. I called my wife right away; she was sleeping. I called my dad, and he was getting ready for bed,” said Nick Pearce, a K-9 officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Otto is Pearce’s dog, who was certified earlier this week after training with Pierce for six weeks.

Only two days later, Otto made his first bust. It was also a first for Pearce.

“I was ecstatic. I haven’t smiled like that in a long time,” said Pearce, a five-year veteran of the Salt Lake City Police Department who recently joined the K-9 unit.

The call for K-9 assistance came from West Valley police officers who had chased a suspect’s car into Salt Lake City. Once Otto started scratching at the center console inside the car, officers started looking and found a half ounce of meth and two guns — one of which was stolen.

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Two wounded officers, others, get law enforcement honors

Hill police Officer Matt Crosby and St. Louis Officer Joseph Haman humbly held plaques and posed for pictures from their wheelchairs this week during a ceremony at the attorney general’s office.

They were among seven local officers to receive the first Justice Awards from Attorney General Chris Koster, in what he plans to be a yearly event.

Koster reflected upon his annual appearances during a fallen officer memorial service behind the capital building, where the names of dead officers are etched on a memorial.

“When I see men like Joe and Matt, I think about the incredible sacrifice they have made,” Koster said. “In a lot of ways, their names deserve the same recognition, because what they’ve gone through will be with them forever, and it’s important that we remember them.”

Crosby and his partner, Lt. Jorden Lewis, were responding to a domestic violence call in April. When they confronted the suspect, George Jones, 36, he opened fire on the officers inside the stairwell of his apartment complex, officials said. Crosby and Lewis returned fire, striking Jones twice. He was charged in the attack. Crosby was shot and paralyzed from his waist down.

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