Police Awards, 2008 

Each year, the Greensboro Police Department honors officers who have made a difference in our community, as well as individuals who have assisted the efforts of the GPD. This year, the awards banquet will be held on Thursday, May 15. Below are the awards that will be presented. Officer of the Year and Police Department Employee of the Year will be announced at the banquet.

Certificate of Merit  ~ Awarded for excellence in police work, under unusual, complicated or hazardous conditions – considered exceptional performance. Awarded to:

• Criminal Investigations Robbery Squad, for exceptional clearance rates of commercial robberies
• Southern Division Patrol Squad C, for administering CPR and securing a crime scene after a shooting at a local club
• Cpl. John Slone and Detective Michael Terry, for demonstrated commitment and dedication in apprehending a homicide suspect
• Officer Justin Flynt, for his actions at the scene of a critical incident
• Southern Division Patrol Squad A, for expediency in securing a crime scene following a critical incident
• Criminal Investigations Division’s Fraud Squad, for exceptional dedication to a high profile case
• Criminal Investigations Division’s Homicide Squad and Detective R.W. Hines, for tenacity during the investigation of the murder of an elderly business owner
• Renee McMurray, Multiple Offenders Coordinator, for efforts as a liaison between the GPD and the District Attorney’s Office
• Sgt. Leslie Holder, for efforts to locate a suicidal person
• Laura Mullinax, Watch Operations Specialist, for successful efforts to convince a kidnapping suspect to turn himself in to law enforcement

Superior Service Bar ~ Awarded to those whose actions distinguish the recipient from other members performing comparable duties, exceeds what is normally required or expected, and contributes to the goals of the department and the profession of law enforcement. Awarded to:

• Center City Resource Team, for adopting homeless citizens in the downtown area
• Master Police Training Officer Michael Maul, for extensive research, training and implementation of a non-traditional police driving course
• Detective David Lyndrup, for dedication to provide equal police service for citizens/cases when language barriers are present

Commendation Bar ~ Awarded for outstanding performance through the success of difficult police operations, projects, programs, or situations requiring exceptional dedication. Awarded to:

• Cpl. Arthur Hollis, for efforts to establish and train members of the GPD’s Bicycle Team
• Cpl. Gregory Gardner, for developing and implementing a computerized time-management system

Medal of Valor ~ Awarded for exceptional bravery at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, demonstrating exceptional courage by performing voluntary action in an exemplary manner. Awarded to:

• Officer Patricia Wright, for unselfish acts of courage and devotion to a fellow officer’s survival.

Distinguished Service Award (presented by the Greensboro Merchants Association) ~ Recognizes a member of the GPD who has made a significant contribution to community policing efforts through continuing and dedicated service. Awarded to:

• Detective David Lyndrup

Business and Industry Crime Prevention Service Award (presented by GMA) ~ Recognizes a sworn member of the GPD who has shown significant measures for crime prevention in the business community. Awarded to:

• Robbery Suppression Unit

Excellence in Crime Prevention (presented by GMA and Chamber of Commerce) ~ Awarded to:

• Precision Printing / Wayne Willard

Visitor Assistance Award (presented by Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau) ~ Recognizes a GPD employee who has gone above what is expected to assist a stranded visitor or motorist. Awarded to:

• Lt. Terry Callicutt, Sgt. Patrick Uehlein, Cpl. Charles Isom and Watch Operations Specialist Jack Cho, for compassion shown to a family from Oregon en route to Mississippi when a member of the family became ill at the Depot.

Service Award (presented by Randleman Road Business Association) ~ Recognizes an officer who has strived to enhance the quality of life, raise awareness of safety concerns, and create a more secure business climate among the Randleman Road corridor.

• Southern Community Resource Team (Sgt. Paul Pell, Officers Sherry Ryan and Dewey Smith) – for their commitment to enhance the quality of life and safety in the Randleman Road area.

Certificate of Appreciation (presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars #2087) ~ Recognizes an employee of the Greensboro Police Department who has demonstrated selfless and heroic assumption of citizenship responsibility in crime prevention and criminal apprehension.

• Sgt. Gerald Stephens, for his exemplary investigative skills and understanding of the modus operandi of robbery crimes
• Officer Dewey Smith, for his knowledge of the geographical area, crime trends and communities that he serves.

Law Enforcement Achievement (presented by Knights of Columbus #939) ~ Recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to their community through volunteerism, enhanced communication within and cooperation among agencies, and/or developed creative and innovative approaches that promote excellence in law enforcement.

• Officer Benjamin Wingfield, for his intuitive, relentless and vigilant investigation of crimes.

Life Saving Award ~ Awarded to one who is directly responsible for saving or substantially prolonging a human life.

• Sgt. Patricia Buser and Officer Aaron Griffiths, for performing the Heimlich Maneuver on a customer at a local eatery
• Officer Justin LaBarre, for quick response to assist a stabbing victim
• Cpl. Adrienne Moos, for quick and decisive actions that contributed to the survival of a stabbing victim
• E. Marie Lawson, Watch Operations Specialist, whose actions prevented lasting medical problems or even the death of a co-worker

Rookie of the Year ~ Officer K.D. Springs Jr.

Chief’s Award ~ Recognizes individuals or corporations that have partnered with the GPD through strong support of programs sponsored by the Department. Awarded to:

• Ronn Wilson, for efforts to enhance police and community relations with the Randleman Business Association
• National Conference for Community Justice of the Piedmont Triad Inc., for extensive history of diversity training, and ANYTOWN program for youth
• Mary Kendricks, for involvement with Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee and the Chamber of Commerce’s Other Voices Leadership program
• Rev. Otto Harris and Robert Cooper, for efforts to implement a Guilford Police Athletic League
• Jack and Mary Lou Zimmerman, for exemplary service to the community through their leadership and participation with community and business groups

Citizens Certificate of Merit ~ Presented to citizens whose actions exemplify excellence in the performance of a civic responsibility; who show unselfish devotion to their fellow man; or whose actions bring honor to himself/herself and recognition to the city. Awarded to:

• Damien Cash and Derrick Gardner, for rushing to the aid of a young woman who was being attacked by an unknown assailant
• Mark G. Wilkinson, for assisting downtown officers in apprehending a robbery suspect
• Anna Caviness and Besheillia Wilkes, for assisting officers by providing the direction of travel of a suspect in possession of stolen property
• Michelle Thompson, for her attentiveness and concern for the safety of students at Hunter Elementary School
• Brian Tripp, for administering life-saving assistance to a five-year-old pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle
• Lorenzo Clyburn, for actions he took when he observed two police officers being assaulted

Reserve Officer of the Year ~ Presented to one who has shown exceptional commitment to volunteering as a Greensboro Police Reserve Officer. Awarded to:

• Officer Jose Chavez