Awards & Recognition

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Castle Rock Police Department was unable to host our annual awards ceremony in 2020. However, the following staff members received awards throughout the year.

Meritorious Unit Awards (4)

Awarded to an entire unit or team of the department whose members perform their assigned function(s) in an unusually effective manner.

1. Welfare Check - April 9, 2019

Dispatchers L. Barron, B. Easley, J. Walters and Officers S. deLumeau, and A. Elliott

Officers responded to a residential address on a welfare check involving suicidal ideation. Upon arrival, the subject’s vehicle was not on scene. Officer Elliott advised a 9mm pistol and magazine was missing from the residence. Dispatch pinged the subject’s cell phone several times with the final ping resulting in Elbert County. An Elbert County Deputy (ECD) spotted the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. At that point, the subject held a pistol to his head and refused to communicate with their deputies. The ECD enacted a code red for the area, as well as set up spike strips further down the road in the event he fled. After a long standoff, the subject called his wife’s cell phone, and she begged him not to hurt himself. Officer Elliott spoke with the subject briefly and, shortly thereafter, surrendered to ECDs. Thanks to the hard work of dispatch, other agencies, and officers, this resulted in a peaceful conclusion.

2. Vehicle Pursuit - March 3, 2019

Corporal T. Grandy, Officers L. Gizzi, T. O’Donnell, A. Whyte

Officers assisted DCSO regarding a suspect that had attempted to run over a deputy with a vehicle and entered into CRPD jurisdiction. As the vehicle approached Ridge Rd., Ofc. O’Donnell deployed spike strips. The suspect vehicle eventually crashed through a residential backyard. The suspect exited the vehicle with a handgun and was confronted by officers. He then refused to comply with orders and attempted to carjack a resident. After the suspect was placed in custody, the officers began searching the neighborhood for the weapon, which was found nearby.

3. Public Information Office Team - October 2019

Officers J. Coyle, S. Morrissey, A. Schlecht, C. Stoneking, and M. Williams

Due to a vacancy in the Public Information Office, an “interim” PIO team met and began covering the full-time duties. The team consisted of the officers listed above. They worked together to seamlessly cover the PIO duties and needs of the police department. While continuing to work their primary assignments, this team completed over 500 hours of on-call coverage, performed off-duty PIO duties several times, completed over 300 social media posts and averaged approximately 70 posts per month. They continued social media programs (e.g., 9PMRoutine, Traffic Tip Thursdays), and provided crime stopper tips and photos, incident updates, roadway closures, and accident alert updates. They handled requests and inquiries from the news media and held press releases.

4. Field Training Officer (FTO) - 2019/2020

Corporals D. Frost, B. Fruh, T. Grandy, T. Petersen, and Officers J. Coyle, S. deLumeau, A. Elliott, B. Finley, T. Gardner, G. Grega, P. McNairy, D. Moorhead, J. Mullineaux, D. Polite, A. Schlecht, B. Schuster, R. Schuster, and T. Watts

Over the past two years, 16 new police officers were hired. Each officer underwent a 16-week FTO program with the last group completing the training in May 2020. These new officers made up half of the patrol division. Many of the FTOs were assigned multiple trainees and at times had no breaks between assignments. Additionally, the FTOs revised the prior training program, created a new Daily Observation Report, and they continued instruction during mini-skills. Being an FTO is a difficult and demanding job. A solid body of FTOs is the core component essential to the healthy future of an agency. Each FTO performed their assignment in an unusually effective manner during this challenging and busy period for our department.

Police Achievement Awards (3)

Awarded to members who, through diligence, personal initiative or considerable effort completes a complex task, which leads to the enhancement of the mission of the department, or takes on special projects and completes such with exceptional results; employees who work in unique situations wherein their contribution not only makes the operation more efficient but enhances employee morale, or employees whose work performance is consistently at a level far exceeding that of their peers.

1. Volunteer Hours - 2019

Community Safety Volunteer (CSV) R. Brooks

CSV Brooks began volunteering in 2011 and is one of CRPD’s most reliable civilian members. He not only worked in patrol, courts and special events, but he became a trusted member of the Investigations Unit. Brooks volunteered 479 hours and opened new doors of cooperation for the CSV/ VIPS program.

2. Field Training Officer - July 2019

Corporal S. Carney

Corporal Carney identified issues with the outdated FTO process and began the process of updating new manuals and other items. He then accepted the FTO coordinator position. His diligent work and countless hours vastly improved the program, and he continues to nurture the program to provide the best opportunity for our new hires. Carney’s contribution, dedication and commitment to our agency is shown daily.

3. Pistol Optics Officers L. Gizzi and P. Smith

Officers Gizzi and Smith researched, evaluated and developed CRPD’s pistol mounted optics program. Smith developed a test and evaluation plan for the pistol mounted optic holster, fielding several holsters and gained officer feedback. Gizzi upgraded the Glock pistols, at no cost to the department. Together, they developed a plan for implementation and executed an intensive

30-hour operator training course. Their training program was well received by the officers and at the completion of the training, all the officers were confident in their use of the pistol mounted optic system. Gizzi and Smith also extended invitations to surrounding agencies to assist in advancing their own programs. The first phase of pistol mounted optics program for the department has been successful due to efforts of these two officers.

Police Merit Award (1)

Awarded to a commissioned member who, through exceptional investigative work, makes a significant contribution to the successful apprehension of a suspect or the successful resolution of a criminal incident.

Multijurisdictional Residential Search Warrants - 2019

Officer N. Stamos

Officer Stamos worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on a multijurisdictional police effort aimed at drug enforcement across the Denver Metro Area. He was named the Impact Unit’s team leader and conducted multiple surveillance operations, background preparations and created the tactical operational plans. Multiple law enforcement agencies executed over 26 residential search warrants, which resulted in 32 search warrants, 13,618 marijuana plants recovered, 67.09 pounds of illegal finished marijuana product, seizure of six motor vehicles, over $200,000 in U.S. currency, and five federal indictment arrests. Detective Stamos provided a significant contribution, which was above and beyond his normal duties that aided in the successful resolution of a large scale criminal incident.

Life Saving Award (5)

Awarded to a member who performs their duties in a conspicuous manner, which directly results in the saving of a human life that is not their own.

1. Medical Call

Officer B. Schuster

Officers responded to a medical call for a female who was unconscious and not breathing. Officer Schuster arrived and immediately noted chest compressions were needed. While administering compressions, CRFD arrived. One of the paramedics noted his compressions were “perfect” and necessary for the proper care of the patient. The patient gained consciousness and was transported to the hospital.

2. Medical Assist

Officers Z. Kennedy and T. O’Donnell

Officers observed an unresponsive subject and began chest compressions immediately. Shortly thereafter, members of CRFD arrived and the subject obtained a pulse. Without the efforts of these officers, the subject would not have survived.

3. Suicidal Subject - December 12, 2019

Dispatchers B. Easley, L. Brunetti, R. Sinclair, and Officer T. Watts

The Communications Center received a call from a crisis center regarding a suicidal subject who was on foot in Castle Rock. Dispatchers were able to reach the subject by phone and recognized her speech was mumbled, breathing was labored, and it sounded like she was falling repeatedly. They were able to conduct an emergency ping, and within 12 minutes her general location was found. Officer Watts began searching a rocky outcrop on foot; the subject was located and transported for a mental health evaluation. Had it not been for Communication’s dedication and ability to keep the subject on the phone, it is unlikely she would have been found in time to save her life due to the weather conditions and number of pills ingested. CRFD personnel agreed there could have been “dire consequences” such as hypothermia.

4. Suicidal Subject - April 29, 2020

Corporal B. Fruh, Officers C. Dee, D. DeGennaro, W. Ford, G. Grega, T. Thompson, M. Whtye

Officers arrived to Wolfensberger Road over Interstate 25 regarding a suicidal male. The male was emotionally disturbed and threatened to jump off the bridge in front of passing motorists onto the Interstate below. As officers began speaking to him, Colorado State Patrol responded and closed both directions of the highway. The subject sat precariously on the side of the bridge and would not allow officers to approach; he displayed erratic/hostile behavior. Officer Whyte established the male had former military service and began building rapport. The subject called family members to say his final goodbyes. Officer Whyte continued speaking to him when CRPD Officer DeGennaro, a Douglas County negotiator, arrived. Negotiations ensued for over an hour, while the male continued his threats. He began approaching officers, appearing as though he might attack. Without hesitation, both Officer Grega and Officer Thompson deployed their department issued Tasers to prevent him from attacking officers while immobilizing him from jumping. Officers successfully placed the male into protective custody for further treatment. The professionalism and efforts made by these officers undoubtedly saved a life that day.

5. Bridge - May 7, 2020

Corporal T. Petersen, Officers T. Gardner, G. Grega, P. McNairy, R. Schuster (includes a Citizen Commendation: Robert Sanders)

Corporal Petersen, Officers Grega, R. Schuster, Gardner, and McNairy responded to an Interstate 25 overpass regarding a suicidal female. The caller advised that a young female made her way onto the exterior portion of the overpass fencing and was attempting to jump from the bridge onto the highway traffic below. Officers arrived on scene to see numerous people gathered around. Mr. Sanders, with no hesitation for his own safety, was also on the exterior of the fence clinging to a juvenile female. The officers did not hesitate and used creativity, quick thinking, and teamwork in order to get the female to safety. Had these officers and Mr. Sanders not acted in the quick manner they did, the female could have or would have fallen, thus, ending a young girl’s life. Mr. Sanders put his life on the line to help another person. His compassion for others is a true example for all Castle Rock citizens.