2003 Commendations
2004 Commendations
2005 Commendations
2007 Commendations
2008 Commendatiopns
WEEK OF 12/12/06 – 12/18/06
DISTRICT ONE
POLICE OFFICER DOUGLAS SNIDER
POLICE OFFICER DOUGLASS HORTON
On November 16, 2006, Police Officers Douglas Snider and Douglass Horton
initiated a high risk traffic stop on Central Parkway near Mohawk Street. The
suspect in the traffic stop was Mr. Fernando North. Mr. North was the primary
suspect wanted in an offense that had occurred earlier that day at the “Purple
People Bridge”. Mr. North had allegedly robbed a couple at gun point, tied up the
male victim, then abducted and raped the female victim.
Mr. North was taken into custody without incident. The weapon used in the offense
was located inside the vehicle. Mr. North was charged with multiple counts of
aggravated robbery, robbery, kidnapping, and rape. Police Officers Snider and
Horton are to be commended for their dedication to duty and for removing a violent
felon from the streets of Cincinnati.
WEEK OF 10/17/06-10/23/06
DISTRICT FOUR
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER CONNERS
POLICE OFFICER JEFFREY MCKINNEY
POLICE OFFICER CHRISTOPHER BIHL
On September 20, 2006, at 1215 hours, District Four officers were dispatched to a call regarding a male subject assaulting a female victim and forcing her into a white Jeep Cherokee.
Due to the quick action and investigative skills of Sergeant Christopher Connors, Police Officer Jeffrey McKinney and Police Officer Christopher Bihl, a suspect was quickly identified. This suspect was apprehended a short time later by Kentucky State Police after a high speed pursuit. The female victim was recovered bound and gagged with minor injuries.
POLICE SPECIALIST DENNIS FICKER
POLICE OFFICER CHRISTOPHER BIHL
On August 31, 2006, Police Specialist Dennis Ficker and Police Officer Christopher Bihl were assigned to investigate a string of robberies occurring in North Avondale. After numerous interviews with victims and witnesses, three suspects were identified and two search warrants for residences were obtained.
After the search warrants were executed, three suspects were arrested, two weapons were confiscated and numerous items stolen from the robbery victims were recovered. Specialist Ficker and Officer Bihl were able to obtain confessions from each of the suspects. Two of the three suspects have been convicted and the third is awaiting trial.
WEEK OF 07/18/06-07/24/06
DISTRICT FIVE
POLICE SPECIALIST RICK KIBBEE
POLICE SPECIALIST ERIC KARAGULEFF
On March 17, 2006, Police Specialist Rick Kibbee and Police Specialist Eric Karaguleff were involved in the investigation and arrest of Jonathan Smith and Rico Mixon, both 16 years of age. These arrests put an end to a series of armed robberies that occurred inside convenience stores and pharmacies in early March 2006. Four offenses occurred inside the City of Cincinnati and one occurred just outside the City limits. Additional follow up investigation was completed by Financial Crimes Squad investigators which led to charges against these individuals for committing a “takeover” style bank robbery on August 3, 2005. Both subjects were armed in all of these offenses and shots were either attempted or fired on three occasions.
On the morning of March 16, 2006, a special meeting was organized at District Four by Police Specialist Joy Ludgatis to discuss and share information on the string of robberies. During that meeting Specialist Karaguleff mentioned that Jonathan Smith could be a possible suspect. Later that afternoon, District Five officers were investigating an accidental shooting when they came into contact with Jonathan Smith and Rico Mixon. Specialist Kibbee decided to interview Jonathan Smith regarding the shootings and the recent robberies and was able to gain a confession. After an exhaustive overnight investigation, Specialist Karaguleff assisted with a search warrant which led to the arrest of Rico Mixon. Utilizing information gained from Specialist Ludgatis’ meeting, other district investigators, the Financial Crimes Squad, and other police agencies the officers were able to sign a total of 13 charges against the arrestees. Specialists Kibbee and Karaguleff spent numerous days completing paperwork and processing evidence. On June 1, 2006, both Jonathan Smith and Rico Mixon were indicted as adults on all 13 counts.
Specialists Kibbee and Karaguleff are to be commended for their dedication to teamwork, excellent investigative techniques, and exhaustive investigative follow up resulting in two dangerous suspects being arrested, a firearm removed from the streets and the clearance of six aggravated robbery offenses.
WEEK OF 06/20/06-06/26/06
DISTRICT FOUR
POLICE SPECIALIST RICHARD VOGEL
POLICE OFFICER JANA CRUSE
In an attempt to address ongoing problems in Reporting Area 376, an identified Hot Spot in North Avondale, District Four Investigative Unit and Neighborhood Squad conducted a combined investigation. The 95-unit apartment complex at 3652 Reading Road was identified as a major contributor to the crime in this area. As a result, Police Officer Jana Cruse contacted the building’s owner and obtained a tenant list and information regarding criminal activity of some of the tenants. Police Specialist Richard Vogel learned several of the tenants had outstanding warrants. Specialist Vogel also obtained criminal intelligence regarding the criminal history of many of the tenants. Armed with this information, Specialist Vogel and Officer Cruse organized and coordinated enforcement activity.
Search warrants were obtained for three apartments. Fourteen individuals were identified as subjects to be arrested. These search warrants were executed in November 2005, along with the search for the wanted subjects. As a result, approximately 60 grams of crack cocaine and three handguns were recovered. All of the wanted subjects were located and arrested. Five of the subjects were arrested on new felony charges. Specialist Vogel and Officer Cruse continued their efforts with the Prosecutor’s Office and just recently the last of these individuals were successfully prosecuted.
Specialist Vogel and Officer Cruse are deserving of this commendation for their investigative expertise and dedication to duty. Their progressive methods combined with good old fashioned police work resulted in the improved quality of life for the remaining law abiding tenants of the building. This hard work was also evident not only in the marked reduction of calls for service to the building but the later removal of Reporting Area 376 as a Hot Spot.
WEEK OF 06/13/06-06/19/06
DISTRICT THREE
POLICE OFFICER CHARLES FINK
POLICE OFFICER CHARLES NEELEY
On April 22, 2006, Police Officer Charles Fink and Police Officer Charles Neeley responded to a report of Domestic Violence involving shots fired. Upon arrival the officers conducted an initial investigation and arrested Mr. Chris Pope for Domestic Violence/Felonious Assault. After his arrest, Mr. Pope informed the officers his father, Mr. Chad Pope, threatened to shoot him and typically carries a gun.
Officers Fink and Neeley proceeded into the residence where they found Mr. Chad Pope loading a .25 caliber pistol. The officers drew their weapons and ordered Mr. Pope to put the weapon down. Mr. Pope refused to comply and pointed the weapon at his head demanding the officers leave his residence. Mr. Pope continued to yell at the officers stating they should shoot him. After a short standoff, Mr. Pope put his weapon down and was taken into custody. After his arrest he told the officers he had intended to shoot his son.
Officers Fink and Neeley are deserving of this commendation for their dedication to duty and ability to remain calm under extreme stress. Their actions resulted in the arrest of two violent individuals as well as the recovery of two firearms.
WEEK OF 05/02/06-05/08/06
DISTRICT FIVE
POLICE SPECIALIST STEPHANIE BRADFORD
POLICE SPECIALIST PAUL MEYER
On December 13, 2005, two heavily armed subjects entered the Cincinnati Central Credit Union on Western Avenue. After terrorizing and assaulting customers and employees, the subjects fled the bank with a large amount of currency. Witnesses at the scene were able to give officers a description of the vehicle and suspects. While canvassing hotel parking lots along Central Parkway, Police Specialist Stephanie Bradford and Police Specialist Paul Meyer spotted a vehicle on West McMicken Avenue that fit the description of the suspects’ vehicle.
The officers set up surveillance from a distance and eventually observed two people trying to hide the vehicle in a garage. With the assistance of District Five officers and Robbery Task Force officers, Specialists Bradford and Meyer apprehended the two as they tried to enter an apartment on West McMicken Avenue. Inside the apartment the officers found the clothing used in the bank robbery along with two firearms. During the subsequent interrogation, Brandon Jackson admitted to seven bank robberies and three business robberies in several jurisdictions in the Greater Cincinnati area. Mr. Jackson also provided information on his accomplice, Ivory Powell. Mr. Powell was arrested later that day.
Specialists Bradford and Meyer are deserving of this commendation for their dedication to teamwork, excellent investigative techniques, and quick action resulting in the apprehension of two violent suspects. Their actions resulted in the removal of firearms from the streets of Cincinnati as well as the clearance of ten aggravated robbery offenses.
WEEK OF 03/07/06 - 03/13/06
DISTRICT FOUR
POLICE OFFICER THOMAS WEIGAND
On February 21, 2006, Police Officer Thomas Weigand was dispatched for a residential structure fire. Upon arrival, Officer Weigand noticed the fire was spreading to a building next door. Officer Weigand was able to assist all occupants to a safe location including an eighty year old gentleman on oxygen. Officer Weigand is deserving of this commendation for his willingness to assist the members of the community and for risking his own safety.
WEEK OF 02/21/06-02/27/06
DISTRICT TWO
LIEUTENANT. DONALD J. LUCK
Lieutenant Donald J. Luck has received the President’s Call to Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. This award recognizes the dedication to volunteer service and signifies that Lieutenant Luck serves his communities and his country with distinction. Through service to others, Lieutenant Luck has demonstrated the outstanding character of America and has helped strengthen our country.
Lieutenant Luck is deserving of this commendation for demonstrating values that make our nation strong and helping to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America.
POLICE OFFICER DONALD STANTON
During 2005, Police Officer Thomas Stanton was assigned to District Two as the third relief traffic enforcement officer. Over the year, Officer Stanton was exceedingly proactive in traffic enforcement efforts. Officer Stanton accumulated 49 Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVI) arrests, leading the Department in that specific enforcement area.
Officer Stanton is deserving of the commendation for his dedication to duty as well as his traffic enforcement skills. His actions had a direct and positive impact on the safety of the citizens of Cincinnati.
WEEK OF 01/31/06-02/06/06
DISTRICT FOUR
POLICE SPECIALIST DENNIS FICKER
POLICE OFFICER JEFFREY MCKINNEY
POLICE OFFICER CHRISTOPHER BIHL
During November and December of 2005, District Four experienced a series of daytime residential burglaries in the North Avondale/Xavier University area. Police Specialist Dennis Ficker, Police Officer Jeffrey McKinney and Police Officer Christopher Bihl responded to many of the crime scenes. The officers identified a pattern and believed it was the same suspect committing several of the burglaries. They also believed the suspect was wearing gloves during the crimes due to the lack of fingerprint evidence. On December 13, 2005, Specialist Ficker responded to a crime scene on Paddock Road and immediately connected this offense to the other burglaries. Due to a recent snowfall, Specialist Ficker found footprints and was able to identify a distinct design in the shoe print. Officers Bihl and McKinney responded to assist and utilized the aerosol “Snow Impression Wax” method to obtain a cast of the footprints.
The following day Officers Bihl and McKinney were conducting surveillance in the area when they observed a subject who stepped off the sidewalk and into the snow. Officer Bihl spoke with the subject while Office McKinney looked at the footprint left by the subject. The print was consistent with the one taken from the crime scene the previous day. The officers requested the subject respond to District Four to be interviewed. While at the district the subject, Andre Palmer, was observed trying to hide a pair of latex gloves he had in his pants pocket.
Specialist Ficker and Officers Bihl and McKinney interviewed Mr. Palmer and were able to obtain a confession for the offense on Paddock Road as well as numerous other burglaries. Additionally, the officers were able to learn the location of the stolen property and additional offense locations.
Specialist Ficker, Officer Bihl, and Officer McKinney are deserving of this commendation for their use of progressive crime scene methods as well as their investigative expertise and tenacity. Their effective interview technique resulted in the arrest of a serial burglar responsible for the loss of several thousand dollars in theft and damage to property from at least 13 burglaries.
WEEK OF 01/03/06-01/09/06
EVENT PLANNING UNIT/DISTRICT ONE
LIEUTENANT MARK J. VENNEMEIER
Throughout 2005, all sworn members of the Police Department participated in firearms training and qualification at the Firearms Training Unit. A portion of that training involved a scored tactical shooting course requiring the officers to engage multiple targets from various covered positions and while moving. Lieutenant Mark Vennemeier achieved the best score out of all the officers who participated with a course time of 32.13 seconds. Lieutenant Vennemeier’s proficiency with his firearm, ability to overcome shooting obstacles and dexterity under simulated stress were all tested during his notable performance. Lieutenant Vennemeier is deserving of this commendation for his commitment to excellence and the skill he displayed while engaged in this training exercise.
