UAPD Officers Honored at Annual Award Banquet

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UAPD officers are honored at Awards Banquet: l-r, Director Steve Gahagans, Investigator Kimberly Bertschy, Officer Andrea Bugg, Officer Pamela Boese, Sergeant Greg Foster, Officer David Robertson, Officer Daniel Quinde, Captain Kathryn Huddler

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Police Department recognized 10 outstanding officers at the annual awards banquet Friday, Dec. 14 at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville.

Patrol officer David Robertson was nominated by his co-workers and chosen as Officer of the Year for his outstanding job performance throughout the year.

Criminal investigation division Sgt. Greg Foster was nominated by his co-workers and awarded the Employee of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the department in 2012.

Patrol Cpl. Sid Ramirez received the Life Saving Award for his patient and professional response to a potential suicide situation. Cpl. Ramirez was sent to the Garland Avenue Parking Garage in April where he found an emotionally upset individual was on the ledge of the building.  Cpl. Ramirez negotiated with the individual for over seven hours and eventually coaxed him off the ledge. Without his response and ability to build rapport with the subject this situation could have resulted in a fatality.

Cpl. Ramirez was also part of a team of officers, including patrol Cpl. Jeff Shetlar and patrol officer Pamela Boese to receive Meritorious Service Awards. The incident began on a Saturday night in March when Cpl. Shetlar attempted to make a traffic stop on Razorback Road. The driver fled, but Shetlar later found the vehicle at an apartment complex close to campus.  He requested assistance and Officer Boese responded, along with Fayetteville city police officers.  The suspect came out of the apartment and began shooting at the officers, wounding a Fayetteville officer, then barricaded himself in the apartment.  After hours of negotiations failed, Cpl. Ramirez responded to the scene and took over negotiations.  By speaking to the suspect in Spanish, Cpl. Ramirez was able to talk the suspect into coming out in the open where he was taken into custody.

Dispatcher Jodi Stengle received a Special Commendation for the outstanding support she provided to officers during this incident. She also received the Civilian Service Award for outstanding contributions to the department throughout the year. She was nominated for this award by her coworkers.

Officers Andrea Bugg and Pamela Boese shared the department’s DWI Enforcement Award, which recognizes officers’ efforts to combat drunk driving. The two patrol officers tied in making the most DWI arrests for the year. 

Patrol Officer Chris Krodell received the Foot Patrol Award for having the greatest number of hours patrolling the campus on foot. This award highlights the UAPD’s emphasis on foot patrol as an important priority and a key part of the department’s community policing philosophy. 

Patrol Officer Daniel Quinde received the Customer Service Award, which recognizes the officer who has made the most contact with the community through the proactive use of departmental initiatives including crime prevention and community involvement programs, administrative notifications of safety and security concerns, security checks of buildings and parking lots, citizen assists and motorist assists.

Investigator Kimberly Bertschy was recognized for receiving her Senior Certificate from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.  The Senior Certificate is the highest certificate presented by the Commission and represents the highest level of formal education, law enforcement related training and practical experience.  Investigator Bertschy joins eleven members of UAPD who have been awarded their Senior Certificate.