Officers and Dispatchers Recognized for Saving Lives
Eight members of the Rockville City Police Department were honored for their service to the community at the 28th annual Rockville Public Safety Awards on June 14 at Lakewood Country Club.
Each year, members of public safety agencies that serve the City of Rockville, including the Rockville City Police Department, Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, are recognized for their outstanding service.
Since 1990, 541 awards have been presented to members of these public safety agencies, to civilians and to four K-9 partners. This year, 20 members of Rockville’s public safety agencies and three civilians were honored.
Three RCPD member received the Distinguished Service Citation. The award recognizes diligence, perseverance, or timely judgment in the performance of duties that resulted in the accomplishment of a difficult task, the protection of life or property, the prevention of a major crime, or the apprehension of an armed and dangerous criminal. RCPD members receiving the citation were:
- Officer Kevin McBride, for helping to save the life of a man who had overdosed on heroin.
- Police communications operators Karl Nadler and Edwina Ritchie, who alerted officers to a suicide attempt by a man in the city police station’s holding cell.
Five RCPD members received the Meritorious Service Citation. The award recognizes public safety personnel or civilians who perform a duty or task that goes above the normal scope of their job or that could easily go undone or unnoticed. RCPD members receiving the citation were:
- Cpl. Javier Baquero, Officer Brandon Thomas, Officer Seth Creel and Officer Brian Van Fossen, for their efforts to restrain and transport for an emergency mental evaluation a man who was suicidal and holding a large knife.
- Police Communications Operator Monique Michael, whose database search helped officers locate a potentially suicidal man.
Learn more about the Rockville City Police Department.