The department on Tuesday evening held its 9th Annual Awards Ceremony. The formal event was held at Rosewood Hall, and designed to recognize top officers, and citizens, of the year.
The Chief's Award, given by Chief Jim Roberson, went to Sgt. Juan Rodriquez who headed the investigation into the brutal murders of Araceli Juarez-Montero, 30, and her sons, Hugo Adial Juarez, 4, and Uziel David Jaurez, 5. The trio was found slain inside their Abbey at Boulder Ridge apartment on Dec. 14. Juarez-Montero was beaten, and her boys strangled.
Rodriquez assumed control of the scene. Roberson said that he, along with many officers, used excellent investigative techniques to quickly develop a suspect and eventually get a confession. Police charged 29-year-old Anna Patricia Dominguez with capital murder in the slayings.
The Award of Merit was given to Sgt. Doug Finch for his work in a deadly shooting at a Homewood hotel. On March 3, 2013, Finch responded in the pre-dawn hours to a shooting at Rodeway Inn at 260 Oxmoor Road. There they found 17-year-old Jvonte Hines of Forestdale dead on the scene.
Police officials noted Finch had the daunting task of directing a crime scene that spanned multiple hotel floors and included more than 15 witnesses. Within days, police issued a murder warrant for 18-year-old Derrick Leimon Sailes Jr., of Birmingham.
Officer Marti Abernathy was named Detective of the Year. Police officials noted that Abernathy consistently handles more cases than any other detective, especially the emotionally-charged cases that involve family relations and domestic abuse.
Abernathy was applauded for strong work ethic. "Her ability to diffuse and manage the worst of these reflects credit upon herself and the department," police officials said.
The Exemplary Service Award was given to Sgt. Mike Godwin for his work solving a case where more than $25,000 in cash and jewelry was stolen. The victims, police noted, sent a four-page letter to the department commending Godwin for his tenacity.
The department's Criminal Investigations Division received the Unit citation Award, primarily for the work in the triple murder and hotel shooting. "Faced with difficult odds, they have remained focused, dedicated and professional,'' police officials noted.
The Citizen Commendation Award went to Benjamin Marshall, a security guard who spotted a robbery and then, ignoring the danger, gave chase. The incident happened Nov. 30, 2012 at Dollar Tree on Lakeshore Parkway.
Authorities said 21-year-old Christopher James Henderson dressed as a security guard and robbed the manager of the store at gunpoint. Marshall, the real security guard, chased Henderson toward the woods behind the business and told patrol officers where he was last seen.
A tracking dog was brought in, and Henderson was captured. Marshall was commended for his quick thinking and bravery.
Other awards given Tuesday night: Community Service Award, Chris Tant; Chamber Officer of the Year, Officer Eric Marquard; Patrol Officer of the Year, Officer Donna Loebler; Communication Specialist of the Year, Dispatcher Ashley Phipps; Correctional Specialist of the Year, Officer Sandra Scott; Sergeant of the Year, Sgt. Lori Scott; Support Staff of the Year, Pam Adkins; Tactical Officer of the Year, Kaitlyn Krawczyk and Special Operations Officer of the year, Officer John Self.
Source: AL.com