CAP Board of Directors

• Arthur McDermott, President
• Alvina Crouse, Vice President
• Bill Himmelmann, Treasurer
• Renèe Werner, Board Secretary
• Sarah Archibald
• Irv Brown
• Ben Carter
• Anna Lee Hindes
• Sherry Jackson
• Chief Mary Beth Klee
• Chuck Lepley
• Joe Negri
• Mike O’Neill
• Dan Villescas
• James J. Waters

PRESS RELEASE

Prepared by: Renée Werner
For more information, contact:
Arthur McDermott, President
Citizens Appreciate Police

DENVER, December 14, 2009 – Fourteen Denver police officers that have received the Citizens Appreciate Police (CAP) Award this year will be honored with a Mayoral Certificate of Appreciation during a 10:00 a.m. ceremony on Monday, December 14, 2009, in the Rotunda of the City and County Building.

Formed in 1978 by Mayor Bill McNichols and District Attorney Dale Tooley, CAP is a non-profit organization that recognizes Denver police officers that serve the public above and beyond the regular call of duty.  Since inception, more than 200 officers have received the CAP award.

The CAP board, consisting of 15 citizen volunteers, meets four times a year to review nominations, select recipients and present awards.  Each award winner receives a pin that is worn on the officer’s uniform and a plaque.  Nominations for the CAP Award come primarily from letters to the Chief of Police from private citizens commending an officer for their actions while either on or off duty.  To submit a nomination directly, letters may be sent to: Citizens Appreciate Police, 3921 Holly St, Denver, CO  80207, Attn: Renée Werner

This year’s CAP Award winners are:

Detective Bryan Slay (91058) for his assistance with a mentally disabled sexual assault victim.  Due to the sensitive nature of this call it was noted by the victim’s family how extremely professional, kind and caring Detective Slay was during the investigation.

Officer Jeffrey Thomason (06118) for his assistance with two elderly travelers who were attempting to return their rental car and got lost.  Officer Thomason kindly arranged for towing, offered his air-conditioned car to wait in and guided them to the Car Rental Office and safely to their motel.  These two parties were very appreciative of Officer Thomason’s patience and assistance.

Officer Tony Bruce (98020) who took it upon himself to help a retired homeowner whose property was vandalized.  Officer Bruce on his own time purchased the materials, made the repairs and cleared accumulated litter from the property.  The homeowner commended Officer Bruce for his dedication to the Department as well as the community.

Technician Ernest Quintana (01052) for his assistance with a Marine who recently came from Afghanistan and was traveling with his three year old son on the Greyhound Bus.  The Marine’s duffle bag which contained his ID card, medication and bus ticket was lost.  The Marine and his son spent 2 days on the bus with no money or food.  After hearing of the stranded parties bad luck Technician Quintana bought a new bus ticket and gave money for food.

Sergeant Kevin Smith (86057), Officer Brian Pacelko (00019), and Officer Joshua Valerio (03005) who took it upon themselves to assist a stranded female party at the Greyhound Bus Station.  The officers pooled their resources and purchased a bus ticket so the female could get home and also made certain she had adequate money to purchase food for the long (20 hour) road trip back to her home town.

Technician Ambrose Slaughter (01065) for his assistance with a party who suffered a heart attack.  Tech. Slaughter responded on the call, transported the victim’s wife to the hospital, and contacted other family members to keep them apprised of the situation.  He also stayed with the family at the hospital and arranged for a Victim Advocate to assist them.  The family noted that Tech. Slaughter is a man of compassion, sensitivity, and is a genuine caring and nice person.

Sergeant Greg Jones (85018), Detective Ranjan Ford (01071), Corporal Christopher Foegen (95056), Officer Gerald Juarez (04104), Officer Danielle Miner (06126) and Officer Michael Stoney (08040) The Officers responded to Oliver’s Meat Market on the unfortunate report of an employee who lost her arm in a meat grinder.  The family of the victim are very appreciative, and relayed “The Officers not only saved the life of dearly loved member of our family who is a new mother, but saved my husband from the grief of facing and cleaning up a horrific tragedy of a loved one.”

PRESS RELEASE

Prepared by: Renée Werner
For more information, contact:
Arthur McDermott, President
Citizens Appreciate Police

DENVER, February 9, 2011 – Thirteen Denver police officers that have received the Citizens Appreciate Police (CAP) Award last year will be honored with a Mayoral Certificate of Appreciation during an 11:00 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, in the Rotunda of the City and County Building.

Formed in 1978 by Mayor Bill McNichols and District Attorney Dale Tooley, CAP is a non-profit organization that recognizes Denver police officers that serve the public above and beyond the regular call of duty. Since inception, more than 200 officers have received the CAP award.

The CAP board, consisting of 15 citizen volunteers, meets four times a year to review nominations, select recipients, and present awards. Each award winner receives a pin that is worn on the officer’s uniform and a plaque.  Nominations for the CAP Award come primarily from letters to the Chief of Police from private citizens commending an officer for their actions while either on or off duty. To submit a nomination directly, letters may be sent to: Citizens Appreciate Police, 3921 Holly St, Denver, CO  80207, Attn: Renée Werner

This year’s CAP Award winners are:

Officer Tony Bruce (98020) who took it upon himself to assist a family who was on a fixed income. Officer Bruce noticed that one of the children had been sleeping on a soiled mattress in his room. Officer Bruce with his personal funds purchased a brand new mattress, bed set, and sheets and delivered the items to the family. The family was extremely happy and grateful for the gifts from Officer Bruce.

Officer Jan Elliott (94033) and Officer John Ashcraft (06109) who assisted a female who just arrived from New Mexico with her boyfriend. The female’s boyfriend would not allow her to have any money, credit cards, or cell phone. The female was frightened of her boyfriend and wanted to leave him and go home, but did not have any means of getting there and was stranded. The Officers took the female to the Greyhound Bus Station, used their own money to purchase her a bus ticket home, as well as money to buy food on the trip. The concern and compassion displayed by these officers was exemplary, and their actions in helping this young woman at their own personal expense was a magnanimous gesture of gratitude.

Sergeant Troy Ortega (95040), Corporal Mark Miller (87031), Officer Anthony Tak (00018), and Officer Joel Charette (05141) for their assistance with a distraught family of six children, a disabled father, and the sudden, tragic loss of their mother who passed away from internal hemorrhaging in her sleep. This occurred during the Christmas holiday season. The father of the children confided to the Officers he had no resources to purchase Christmas gifts for his children or replace the mattress his wife was sleeping on during her untimely death. The Officers pooled together their funds and asked for donations from fellow Officers. With the money collected, they were able to purchase a new mattress, toys, clothing, a Christmas tree, decorations, and a Christmas dinner for the family. The Officers along with Fox 31 news delivered the gifts to the family. The family was extremely happy and grateful for the generosity exhibited by these Officers.

Officers Alexander St. Peter (05067) and Richard Harvey (06069) for their assistance with a Grandmother visiting from out of state who agreed to take temporary custody of her infant grandson. The infant’s mother was involved in a domestic violence situation and was unable to take care of him. Officers St. Peter and Harvey, both fathers of young children themselves, realized that the Grandmother had none of the essential items necessary for the care of an infant so they helped the Grandmother obtain formula, bottles, diapers, and various other sundries. The officers transported the Grandmother and infant to their hotel and showed her how to measure and mix formula, feed and change her grandson’s diaper. The Grandmother overwhelmed by the officers’ display of compassion, praised them for their extraordinary kindness and willingness to take the additional time to help her and her grandson during this most difficult time.

Officer Daniel Lucero (75021) For his assistance with a stranded female, who had a flat tire on the way to the airport and was running late to catch her flight. Officer Lucero kindly arranged for the stranded female’s tire to be changed and her vehicle parked. He also helped her obtain her boarding pass and escorted her to the gate where she boarded her plane with a minute to spare. She was very impressed with Officer Lucero’s willingness to help and said he is a true credit to the Denver Police Department’s Force.

Officers Christopher Bales (06130), Steven Rieck (06132), and Gordon Seib (05018) for their assistance with a family (two adults an infant in a stroller) who were found standing on the side of I-70 and Federal Boulevard. The family relayed to the officers they had lost their housing, jobs, and “were just down on their luck.” They were attempting to stay at the Motel 6, which was $39.00 a night, but unfortunately, they only had $30.00. The officers checked with several shelters but found none that could accommodate a family at short notice. The officers contacted the Motel 6, arranged with the manager to reduce the room price for the family, and pooled together their own money so the family could stay for the weekend. They also transported the family to the Grocery store so they could purchase baby food, milk and other sundries. Another call was placed to a local restaurant and the owners donated enough food to feed a family of eight without hesitation. The family was very gracious for the generosity displayed by the officers and overwhelmed by their display of compassion.