Down these mean streets an Officer must go,

who is not mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid.

THEY ARE THE HEROES.

They must be complete, and common, yet show an unusual quality.

They must be men and women of honor, by instinct, by inevitability,

without thought of it, and without saying it.

They must be the best citizen in this country,

and a shining example to all.

 The Medal of Valor is the highest recognition of achievement presented by the Department.  This Medal is awarded to employees who distinguish themselves with extraordinary acts of bravery or heroism above and beyond that normally expected in the line of duty.  Employees must have displayed extreme courage by placing their own safety in immediate peril in the pursuit of their duties.

Recipients:

2003:  Ron Voeller

2002:  Chris Lewis

2001:  James Erickson, Shane Oien, Larry Erickson

1997:  Rick Dobrow

1994:  Tracie Meidl, Marc Wheelwright

1993:  Jeff Harvey

The Medal of Merit is awarded to employees who distinguish themselves by meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  The Medal of Merit can be awarded for a single exceptional act or for a series of acts of a superior nature.

Recipients:

2007:  Tom Chapman

2006:  Dean Draper, Nate Spiering, Paul Taylor, Kim Thomas, Gene Baldwin, Jim Christensen, Jake Jensen, Kevin Keller, Stephanie Kennedy, Mark Griffiths, Shawn Kendall

2005:  Randy Lesser

2004:  Kim Thomas, Dennis Walter

2003:  Jerry Mertens,  Crime Prevention Specialist Sandy Richards, Mike Fetcho, Jan Pogachar

2002:  Gene Baldwin, Alan Edwards, John McGregor, John Stanley, Troy Tipke, Phil Bergin

2001: Kevin King, Elise Robertson, Larry Saunders, Larry Erickson

2000: Jim Earle, Al Quist, Dick Losh, Bill Schaber

1999:  Ron Erickson, Gary Warren, Harry Kennedy, Jack Pearson

1998:  Rex Olson, Tom Chapman, Kurt Vigesaa

1997:  Jim Muzatko

The Lifesaving Medal is awarded to employees who, by their immediate actions, have saved a human life under unusual and/or extraordinary circumstances.  The action must have been personally performed by the employee.  The life sustaining action must be confirmed by a competent authority.

Recipients:

2008:  Danny Lesser

2007:  Derek Bishop, Dustin Howe, Stephanie Kennedy, Tracie Meidl, Barry O'Connell, Trammell Taylor, Troy Teigen, Ron VanTassel, Ron Voeller

2006:  David Beckley, Zack Dahle, Gordon Ennis, Frank Erhart, Jamie Pavlischak, Mike Russo, Jon Strickland, Ben Yinger

2005:  Kevin Keller

2004:  Dave Overhoff

2003:  "JC" Collins, Erin Raleigh

2002:  Matt Cowles, Karl Thompson

2001:  Mike Carr, Tyler Cordis

1999:  Dan Cole, James Erickson, Kevin King, Shane Oien, Doug Scott, Dan Waters

1998:  Kirk Kimberly, Justin Lundgren

1997:  Ernie Wuthrich

The Silver Star is awarded to employees who have displayed courageous actions above and beyond that normally expected.  These acts of courage do not rise to the level of the voluntary risk of life requirements for the Medal of Valor, but are displays of exemplary acts of bravery.

Recipients:

2006:  Max Hewitt

2003:  Marc Wheelwright, LCHS Shooting - Troy Teigen, Brad Hallock, Jon Anderson, Paul Lebsock, Bill Marshall, Bill Schaber, Mike Fetcho, Mylissa Coleman, Larry House, Ralph Weir, Russ Coffman, Dan Waters, John Gately, Nate Spiering, Stephanie Kennedy, Kevin Keller, Alan Edwards, Colin Conway, Reserve Ofc. Tom Barber

2002: Ray Harding, Rich Meyer, Intermodal Shooting:  Dan Torok, Phil Lasswell, Mel Taylor, Shawn Kendall, Keith Cler, Alan Edwards, Kevin Vaughn, Gene Baldwin, Jason Uberuaga, Aaron Ames, Brian Eckersley, Dustin Howe, John Stanley, Dan Waters

The Purple Heart is awarded to employees who receive a wound or injury of a degree necessitating the immediate care of a physician.  To qualify for this award, the wound or injury must have been received in the line of duty and must be of a serious nature capable of causing death or extended disability.

Recipients:

2006:  Rick Dobrow

2001:  Tom Lee

1997:  Chris Lewis

The Chief's Citation is awarded to the members of a unit for participating in an incident or series of events or project which have a substantial positive impact on the community or the department.  The incident, event or series of events or project must be superior in nature and further the department's mission and overall effectiveness.

Recipients:

2007:  Special Investigative Unit (SIU)

2004:  SWAT, Patrol Team 2, Police Radio

2003:  Sexual Assault Unit, Traffic Unit

Recipients:

2007:  Kevin King

2006:  Kurt Vigesaa

2005:  Brad Moon

2004:  Mylissa Coleman

2003:  Doug Orr

2002:  Joe Walker

2001:  Lauri Lucas

2000:  Tim Conley

1999:  Jim Lundgren

1998:  Gary Moore

1997:  Bob Grandinetti