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By Debbie Williams
Here are the narratives from the November HPD awards ceremony.
Meritorious Service Award
Officer Ronald G. McClendon
On April 15, 2009, while Officer Ronald McClendon and Sergeant Bruce Eichenberg were conducting a CIT Auto Theft investigation, a citizen notified them that the nearby Popeye's Restaurant might be robbed. The citizen stated seeing an armed man dressed in black in front of the establishment. Officer McClendon drove across the parking lot to the restaurant and saw a suspect fitting the description. As Officer McClendon walked into the restaurant from the west side, the suspect walked out on the east side. Sergeant Eichenberg, meanwhile, watched the suspect leave the restaurant and relayed the suspect's location to Officer McClendon.
The suspect then ran across the street while holding onto his gun that was tucked into his waistband. He ran through a town home complex with Officer McClendon chasing after him. With the help of citizens reporting the suspect's position, Officer McClendon and responding officers were able to locate him. Members of the Gang Unit responding to the call arrested the suspect. After the suspect was in custody, Officer McClendon recovered the suspect's gun from along the fence line of the complex.
Hostile Engagement Award
Officer Sammy Delacruz
Officer Phong T. Do
On Wednesday, February 25, 2009, Officer Sammy Delacruz and Officer Phong Do were working an extra job in the 2600 block of Milam. At approximately 2 a.m., the officers were outside monitoring pedestrians and vehicular traffic when a weapon was discharged from a vehicle parked in a nearby parking lot. The shooter was a female passenger who shot several rounds at the officers.
Officer Delacruz moved to a position of cover and fired at the suspect to protect himself, his partner, and the citizens in the area. Meanwhile, Officer Do strategically positioned himself on the opposite side of the street as the suspect continued to fire at both officers. Officer Delacruz again engaged the suspect, who repeatedly fired her weapon in an attempt to harm the officers. The suspects then suddenly fled the scene, leaving no one injured in the incident.
Hostile Engagement Award
Officer Phillip G. Jackson
On April 18, 2009, when Officer Phillip Jackson arrived at an assault call, he learned that the suspects had already fled on foot. Officer Jackson advised the dispatcher, and several patrol units and a K-9 unit were sent to assist in locating them. The suspects were soon found, returned to the scene, and positively identified by both victims.
One of the suspects became violent after being placed in the patrol vehicle. She repeatedly struck her head on the vehicle's cage and kicked at the window. For the safety of the suspect, she was put in leg restraints but managed to loop them around her neck and began strangling herself. When several attempts to disconnect the leg restraints failed, due to her kicking and attempting to bite Officer Jackson, he took out his pocket knife and cut the suspect free. Once free, she lunged toward Officer Jackson's right hand in an attempt to stab herself with his knife. Officer Jackson raised his left hand between the suspect and the knife, preventing her from being injured. His left hand was pushed into the knife blade by the force of the suspect's body causing a deep laceration that required stitches.
Hostile Engagement Award
Sergeant Michael S. O'Neal
Sergeant Joel Burton
Sergeant John Barrett
Officer Israel Hernandez
On January 19, 2009, a woman approached a business in the 1600 block of W. Sam Houston Parkway North carrying a gun, and a bow and arrow. Upon seeing her, an employee became suspicious and attempted to deter her from entering the building. The suspect turned and shot an arrow into the man's chest. Two other employees took defensive positions with their licensed concealed handguns and fired at the suspect, who then fled into an office where she remained.
Sergeants Michael O'Neal, Joel Burton, John Barrett, and Officer Israel Hernandez arrived and entered the business in an attempt to rescue possible hostages and end the threat. Officer Hernandez and Sergeant O'Neal located the suspect in a conference room and ordered her to drop the weapon. The suspect refused and turned her bow and arrow towards the officers. Fearing for their lives, Sergeant O'Neal discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect. Officer Hernandez rushed to handcuff the suspect, followed by Sergeant Burton and Barrett. The suspect and victim were transported to Ben Taub Hospital where both were expected to make a full recovery.
Hostile Engagement Award
Officer Frank S. Coffman
On June 4, 2009, several armed suspects robbed a tattoo parlor in the 8900 block of the North Freeway. A description of the suspects' vehicle and direction of travel was broadcast over the air. While on routine patrol, Officer Coffman noticed a vehicle matching the description and requested backup. Upon arrival of backup units, the officers attempted to initiate a felony traffic stop. When the vehicle pulled over, three suspects jumped out and a foot pursuit ensued. As officers attempted to apprehend the fleeing suspects, Officer Coffman saw two additional suspects in the vehicle and ordered them to get out.
The driver, however, slowly drove away as he raised a weapon and pointed it directly at Officer Coffman. Fearing for his safety, Officer Coffman discharged his weapon that prompted the armed suspect to quickly accelerate. Following a pursuit by a Harris County deputy, the suspect crashed into a Valero gas station fuel pump. The two suspects fled on foot but were soon apprehended. Officer Coffman then recovered a TEC-9 handgun from the front seat of the suspect's vehicle. Three of the suspects were positively identified by the complainants and admitted to participating in the robbery of the tattoo parlor.
Chief of Police Commendation
Officer Richard A. Morales
Officer James B. Satterwhite
Officer Steven Guerra
From October through December 2008, a group of armed suspects committed eleven carjacking robberies in District 16. In October 2008, Officers Richard Morales and James Satterwhite of the Southwest Tactical Unit were assigned to investigate these cases. Since the crimes occurred late at night, the victims could provide only suspect and vehicle descriptions, but no license plate numbers. The victims' credit cards were being used locally. Video obtained from the businesses produced a vehicle make and model but no license plate.
Since stolen vehicles related to the robbery cases were recovered in District 16 area, the officers believed that the suspects may live nearby. They determined the suspects were driving a green Impala and a red Mustang. In December 2008, the officers saw an illegally parked red Mustang with four men around it, with one swinging a golf club. Although the men were found clear for warrants, the vehicle license plate and address were noted. Days later a group of suspects, driving a red Mustang carjacked three victims where one of the suspects used a golf club to strike them. Officers Satterwhite and Morales informed Officer Steven Guerra of the Robbery Division who developed photo spreads containing possible suspects. A suspect driving a red Mustang was arrested, which eventually led to the identification, apprehension, and the arrest of all suspects involved. A total of six suspects were identified as gang members, and were charged with Aggravated Robbery.
Chief of Police Commendation
Officer Larry L. Sherwood
In 2008 Officer Larry Sherwood had the highest number of Felony and Class A/B Misdemeanor arrests for day shift at Westside. Highlighting a few incidents were the arrests of three suspects for warrants and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. The arrests also led to a suspect who had originally taken the vehicle who was later arrested for Auto Theft. On another occasion, Officer Sherwood saw a vehicle driving erratically, and ran the license plate which came back as a stolen vehicle. As the suspect pulled into the parking lot of Elsik High School, Officer Sherwood called for back up and arrested the suspect for Auto Theft. On April 3, 2009, Officer Sherwood also assisted officers in a burglary investigation. When a high school student was pulled over for a traffic stop, officers found a large amount of stolen property in his possession. The items were soon connected to a burglary that Northwest Division was investigating. Being on the School Detail, Officer Sherwood is an expert in juvenile law and procedures.
On April 16, 2009, Officer Sherwood checked by an Aggravated Robbery call where the victims were in pursuit of the suspects. When he caught up with the victims, they pointed him in the direction the suspects were headed. Officer Sherwood stopped the suspects who still had guns, money and stolen property belonging to the victims.
Chief of Police Commendation/Chief of Police Unit Citation
Financial Literacy Course Development Team
In the fall of 2008, the Mayor directed that all department managers have a fundamental understanding of municipal financing and budgeting. Therefore, Budget and Finance was tasked to develop a financial literacy course for HPD managers that provided a basic understanding of how the financial and administrative functions for the Houston Police Department worked, along with the rationale behind certain policies and procedures. Joseph Fenninger, Larry Yium, and Karen Ward had the longest and most difficult blocks to develop and teach, putting in numerous hours both on and off duty to make certain the course would be of the highest quality, relevant, and interesting to the participants. Mr. Yium edited and coordinated the lesson plans of nine presenters so that the course objectives were met. Mr. Thomas Murray spent countless hours, both on and off duty, to ensure that the participant materials were ready, on time, and correct.
The day and a half course was taught five times in the first ten weeks in 2009, with over 275 managers attending. It was repeated again in late spring, and annually thereafter. Topics covered a variety of fiscal accounting, budgeting issues, related management reporting, how requests to City Council are handled, payroll issues, the procurement process, the handling of confidential informant funds, asset management, travel policies, strategic planning, and performance management. Balancing the presentation and materials between broad overviews with relevant, specific details, the course provided useful and important information to the managers.
Chief of Police Commendation
Sergeant Mark Kilty Officer Max Williams
Officer Robert Price Sergeant Danny Leal
Officer Paula Camp
On March 10, 2009, officers of the Vice Division's Organized Prostitution Squad concluded a lengthy and complicated organized crime investigation which resulted in several arrests and the seizure of money, precious metals, and vehicles. On October 10, 2007, then Officer Danny Leal, Officer Max Williams, and Sergeant Mark Kilty conducted an investigation into an escort service which began with an arrest of a suspect for prostitution. Sergeant Kilty and Officer Williams developed a rapport with the suspect who provided information about other illegal prostitution organizations. The suspect informed them that the largest illegal escort agency in Houston was run by a woman who spoke with a British accent known as Vivian, and her partner Charles. She told the officers that the organization was very secretive, and only carefully screened male clients of wealth and connection were allowed to patronize the service. With limited information, the officers began an exhaustive search to identify the suspects.
Once identified, Officer Williams, along with Officer Robert Price, contrived an elaborate alias with a residential address and upper level management position to infiltrate the organization as a potential client. Meanwhile, Officer Paula Camp scoured the internet for further information and located a Web site. She then arranged for an interview, skillfully playing a convincing role as a prostitute. Because of their tedious attention to detail and ingenious efforts, they avoided even the tiniest mistake that could have put the investigation in jeopardy.
Humanitarian Service Award
Public Affairs
Citizen Volunteers
Officers from Public Affairs were concerned for the safety and welfare of Houston's senior citizens and decided to create a health and safety seminar. Joining them were other department employees and citizens who assisted with the planning stage and hosting of the seminar held on April 16, 2009. The main purpose of the seminar was to impart beneficial personal safety, fire safety, and identity theft information. Many senior citizens have lost their lives in house fires as the result of using space heaters for heating. These fires occur in homes that are not equipped with operable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, or fire extinguishers. Because of this concern, officers donated and distributed these safety items to all senior citizens who attended.
They were also aware of how often senior citizens are targeted for identity theft, and provided information about safeguarding personal identification information. Handouts were provided to aid in reporting identity theft when and if they became a victim. Several vendors set up tables and provided an array of valuable information to assist senior citizens with health related services. Sponsors donated food, provided lunch, and a bag of fruit for approximately 200 senior citizens that attended.
Award of Excellence
Officer Manuel A. Ramirez
Officer Rogolio S. Ramirez
Officer Michael D. Tewold
On March 24, 2009, Officers Manuel Ramirez and Rogolio Ramirez responded to a narcotics complaint in the 300 block of Benmar. As the officers were walking towards the apartment, they smelled the strong odor of marijuana emanating from the residence. One suspect quickly tossed an object behind the front door after he opened it and was surprised to see the officers. Beyond the first suspect was a second suspect seen standing in the kitchen armed with a gun, and a third one seated on a couch. The officers took control of the scene with two of the suspects complying. However, the suspect in the kitchen ignored the officers' commands and ran out the back door. Officer M. Ramirez chased after him and after a brief foot chase, and with the assistance of Officer Michael Tewold, the suspect was apprehended.
Officers requested the assistance of the Narcotics Division to process the scene. Narcotics investigators seized a total of $18,037 in cash and thirteen different types of illegal drugs and prescription medications. The total estimated street value of the drugs was approximately $79,150. The evading suspect was a convicted felon and was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Control Substance with Intent to Deliver. The two other suspects were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.
Award of Excellence
Officer Rafael B. Rodriguez
On January 15, 2009, Officer Rafael Rodriguez transferred within the Narcotics Division to the T.A.R.P. Initiative, Hotel/Motel Squad. In his first ninety-day period, Officer Rodriguez conducted nine investigations resulting in the arrests of seventeen felony suspects, and recovered 23 kilograms of cocaine and 380 pounds of marijuana. His investigations have spanned the Houston area and encompassed the Rio Grande Valley area of Texas. Utilizing his considerable talent in undercover operations as a Narcotics Case Agent, Officer Rodriguez routinely negotiates, in his undercover capacity, narcotics transactions with major narcotics violators.
Officer Rodriguez has frequently been called to assist other agencies to conduct undercover investigations to further their cases, and responds to their requests with enthusiasm. Although narcotics investigations by nature involve group effort and cooperation, Officer Rodriguez has demonstrated his leadership and expertise by mentoring junior officers with whom he serves. He is always available for questions and gives guidance to others when they find themselves in unfamiliar or unpredictable situations. He not only initiates major cases but demonstrates expertise and insight during the post-investigation period while preparing cases for state and federal prosecution.
Award of Excellence
Officer David J. Eagan
Officer Ralph Walker of the Narcotics Division received several anonymous calls regarding illegal drugs being sold at a house in the 200 block of Neyland, in addition to a narcotics officer advising him about possible drug activity at the location. Officer Walker discovered that the house and garage were under major renovation and several red tag violations had been posted on the front door. On April 21, 2009, Officer Walker received another tip that there was 400 pounds of marijuana in the garage.
Officer Walker developed a plan and asked Officer David Eagan to perform a code inspection of the house. Officer Eagan contacted the Public Works Division to verify that work permits were indeed issued for the renovations. Officers Eagan and David Enlow then met with the owner and advised him that they were there to inspect prior violations and check if the proper permits were purchased. As Officer Eagan and the owner went through the house, Officer Eagan pointed out the violations and explained the problems. When Officer Eagan went to the garage to inspect the electrical work, he noticed a large measuring scale on a metal shelf and below it, what appeared to be marijuana wrapped in plastic. The owner then confirmed the substance and was charged with felony possession of marijuana. In all, 3,628 pounds of marijuana, 38.7 grams of cocaine, two guns, 140 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and $119,551 in cash were seized.
Award of Excellence
Officer Glenn Gold
The Tactical Operations Division's SWAT Detail is a highly trained unit that is frequently called upon and must be prepared for dangerous assignments throughout the city of Houston. In order to maintain proficiency in all their various fields of expertise, over 60 lesson plans are maintained. The lesson plans have increased over the years to address new threats that require different training and tactical maneuvers. Over time, the plans have evolved into many different formats and have been kept in different locations. This made it difficult to find the plans, update them, and for instructors to teach them.
In early 2009, Officer Glenn Gold volunteered to coordinate and attempt to bring all the different plans together, convert them to the same format, and create a database which could be retrieved immediately when needed. He spent over five months, both on- and off-duty gathering all the various plans, consulting with the experts in each area, and ensuring the plans were current. Due to his efforts, the SWAT Detail now has a complete lesson plan for all formal training taught by the Detail. The lesson plans have been compiled and reformatted into a database which can be easily updated. Additionally, the information is also available as a printed copy and on a compact disc.
Chief of Police Unit Citation
Public Affairs
The employees of Public Affairs perform an outstanding job on a daily basis by presenting the department in a positive manner. The Multi-Media Unit (MMU) obtained grant funding for the Public Information Emergency Response site (PIER) and moved from using VHS tapes and DVDs, to email-based streaming video news clips. The MMU shines when preparing for awards ceremonies that require the preparation of hundreds of notifications, invitations, citations, certificates, and awards. The Open Records Unit has modernized its computerized systems for enhanced invoice tracking, requestor customer service, better notification practices, and is making progress toward placing even more public information on-line. Lieutenant Kevin Gallier became very adept at diplomacy when striking an appropriate balance between moral and ethical issues when acting as liaison between the department, city council, and other political entities.
The Honor Guard and Chaplin have continued to make the department stand out as the model for agencies across the country. The Media Relations Unit, which houses the Public Information Officers, is exceptional at delivering timely and accurate information to the media. The PIOs handle monthly media availability and staff various public events where the media is likely to attend. The Community Outreach Units consists of both classified and civilian personnel who uniquely address multiple issues within diverse communities. They engage with young people and the elderly, and are involved in crime prevention, victim counseling, youth programs, elderly abuse, and assistance programs.
Chief of Police Unit Citation
Special Operations Division's Mounted Patrol
The Special Operations Division, Mounted Patrol led an attack on crime and disorder in the Central Business District. In the effort to reduce crime and fear of crime in the downtown area, the officers of the Mounted Patrol accomplished this primarily through the enforcement of civility ordinances. In 2008 they exceeded 5,000 arrests and citations, which was a 450% increase from 2007. Without question, the efforts of the Mounted Patrol were the driving force for the 13% reduction in Part I crime in the Central Business District in 2008. During the first quarter of this year, Mounted Patrol wrote 1,693 citations, made 72 misdemeanor and felony arrests, and successfully referred 14 individuals to social service providers such as a shelter, medical facility, mental assistance facility, or other appropriate assistance provider. The 1,693 citations are an increase of 64% and the 72 misdemeanor and felony arrests are a 53% increase, both over the same time frame as last year.
These numbers are even more impressive considering Mounted Patrol is also tasked with other unique duties and responsibilities which include crowd control, public service demonstrations, missing person searches, weekly training, ceremonial representations at parades, funerals and other special events. This productivity can be directly attributed to the motivation, dedication, and initiative of the officers in the unit, under the leadership of their supervisors.
Chief of Police Unit Citation
Fondren Division Differential Response Team
The Fondren Differential Response Team (DRT) has significantly impacted the safety of apartment residents in the Fondren area. One success was a large complex located on West Bellfort. Having been alerted of conditions by a patrol officer, the Fondren DRT initiated an emergency investigation. Braeburn Storefront officers and city code inspectors red-tagged the complex and issued more than 200 citations. The owner made necessary repairs which brought it up to minimal standards. Additionally, management then became involved in the Fondren PIP and Apartment Cluster meetings. As a result of the investigation and continued monitoring of the complex, residents now live in a safer apartment community.
An apartment complex on Dashwood had long been a crime link known for narcotics sales and prostitution. In March 2008, a DRT investigation was initiated by Sergeant Michael Hill, resulting in the owner being given written notice of numerous Chapter 10 violations. In September 2008, Hurricane Ike caused major damage to the complex, making it uninhabitable. After giving the owner a reasonable amount of time to make repairs to the property, Sergeant Hill, along with city code inspectors, initiated an emergency investigation. The property was red-tagged and numerous citations were issued to the owner. Since the owner was unable to make the repairs, the property was put up for sale and the tenants were relocated.
Chief of Police Unit Citation
Inspections Division
In 2008 Inspections Division was tasked to perform an internal audit of Technology Services. In the following weeks, Inspections Division personnel conducted preliminary research and activities in order to develop the audit proposal for the Chief of Police. Shortly thereafter, they initiated the planning stage for seven specific audits of functions within Technology Services. Once the planning stage was completed in February, they commenced the information gathering stages and conducted follow-up research for each audit area.
Each audit team designed and created their initial audit instruments of surveys and interviews, and finalized methods by the close of April 2008. In May, they deployed their audit instruments and began the field work phase. From May through November, the teams collected and assessed the responses to their initial instruments, conducted numerous interviews, observations, and field tests. The teams developed and deployed follow-up audit methods and instruments and assessed the various responses to those items. From October through December 2008, they assessed follow-up information and began to reduce their findings to a written draft report format. From January through February 2009, the audit teams conducted follow-up work, assessments, and revisions to their draft reports. By February, the drafts were consolidated and the executive summary was finalized. These employees labored for weeks to become familiar with technological terminology, best practices, industry standards, and worked relentlessly in the months that followed to examine the operations of the department's Technology Services.
Chief of Police Unit Citation
Westside Division Gang Unit
In January 2009, the Westside Division Gang Unit, under the leadership of Sergeant John McClellan, began researching burglary cases because of a significant increase in crime. They discovered a white Taurus was listed as suspicious in several of the cases. The officers located and followed the vehicle to a convenience store where they witnessed the suspects attempting to sell a video camera to a clerk. Four suspects were arrested, and three flat screen TVs, two laptop computers, and several video game systems were recovered from the vehicle totaling $8,500.
On May 6, 2009, DGU officers located a stolen vehicle that was possibly involved in several burglaries. While conducting surveillance, officers noticed a man load items into the vehicle and drive into an apartment complex. The officers arrested the suspect along with two of his accomplices, and the stolen property inside the vehicle was recovered. In the follow-up investigation, officers were led to another apartment where they discovered two more suspects and additional stolen property. A total of five suspects were arrested and charged with Burglary, Aggravated Robbery, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.
As of May 2009, the Gang Unit arrested and charged a total of 30 suspects, cleared 16 burglary cases, seized one vehicle, and recovered $40,000 worth of property and three stolen weapons.
Chief of Police Unit Citation
CID Communications Intelligence Unit
On June 14, 2008, the Criminal Intelligence Division, Communications Intelligence Unit was established. Since its inception, the unit's efforts have led to the arrests of over 134 suspects and recovery of 18 victims, many of whom were located within hours of the CIU being contacted. The CIU has developed the necessary resources to provide a full service approach to in-house communications intelligence services, thereby lessening the dependence on federal partners.
Their mission is to provide prompt and direct support to the various missions the department undertakes in regards to communication data. The unit provides significant assistance with lawfully obtaining, interpreting, analyzing, mapping, archiving, surveilling, and presenting communications data. The proliferation of electronic communications, especially the use of cell phones and the internet, have led to new, varied, and extremely complex challenges previously not encountered by law enforcement. To keep up with technology it was imperative to modernize in-house resources.
The unit has received significant positive feedback from investigators and supervisors throughout the department. The CIU's expertise has led to teaching at the Districts Attorney's Special Crimes Section. CIU members are asked by prosecutors to take complex communications records, develop concise visual presentations, and then present this information during testimony of major prosecutions. They have taken the lead to develop comprehensive communications related resources and have thereby provided the department a very valuable resource that is extremely rare or non-existent currently in law enforcement.
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