The Kettering Police Department takes grreat pride in the service of its officers. Below are examples of honors awarded to these officers for outstanding service

On April 26, 2009, at 1:42 a.m., two citizens witnessed a crash at Research and Shakertown.  They saw that one of the vehicles in the crash was on fire.  The driver was still inside the vehicle.  Disregarding personal safety, the citizens pulled the driver out of the vehicle and carried him to a grassy area a safe distance away.  The vehicle eventually became fully engulfed in flames.

Once the driver was pulled from the vehicle, the two citizens attempted to help the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash.  One citizen performed rescue breathing and the other attempted chest compressions on the driver while still trapped inside the vehicle.  The situation was dangerous as the vehicle was heavily damaged and leaking fluids.  The citizens called 911 and continued CPR until relieved by a medic. 

Sgt. Michael Gabrielson and Ptl. Lee Sanders advised that these citizens deserved recognition because of their selfless acts of bravery at a terrible crash scene.  Because of their actions, they were awarded the Citizen’s Award of Valor, the highest award a citizen can receive.

On April 21, 2009, Officer Lambert responded to a possible hostage situation.  He quickly learned that the residence given by Dispatch was incorrect. Once at the correct address, he heard a male inside the house say, “I’ll do it right now!”  He then heard what he thought was the slide of a gun being pulled back.  Knowing the call was a domestic violence involving a husband holding his wife at gunpoint, he kicked in the door and announced his presence.  The suspect eventually came down the stairs and was taken into custody.  No one was injured.  Officer Lambert checked the bedroom and located a pump shotgun in a cloth case under the mattress.  A .380 handgun was also found next to the shotgun.  The bedroom was believed to be where the crime occurred.

If not for his actions, this situation might have ended in tragedy.  He was commended for his effort in successfully resolving this crisis situation and taking the suspect into custody.

Ptl. Michael Pittman

Ptl. Edward Simoni
Commendation

On June 14, 2009, Officers Pittman and Simoni were dispatched to a possible suicidal subject.  You entered the residence to rescue the victim.  The victim began breathing.  Medics arrived and took the individual outside. 

The actions taken by these officers saved a life.  The officers were awarded commendations.

On April 13, 2009 at 0106 hours, crews were dispatched reference a B&E alarm.  A padlock had been cut as well as phone lines. 

Despite the cold weather, Officer Marcum took it upon himself to bike in the field behind Beaverton Elementary when he saw three subjects enter the field from Bobbie Place near the tree line.  Marcum immediately detained them.  One subject was carrying a tire iron as well as a pair of wire cutters, a flashlight and a screw driver.  Anaother subject had a black set of gloves in his possession, and a third individual had a silver chisel.  All three subjects were wearing coveralls and had gloves on as well.  They were arrested for Possession of Criminal Tools.

Ptl. Marcum later found a white van in the rear parking lot of 2878 Bobbie Place.  There was a set of tools outside the van, but there was no forced entry into it.  Marcum took a photo of a shoe pattern on top of the electric meter at 2701 Wilmington Pike.  It was similar to the pattern on the shoes that one of the subjects was wearing at the time of his arrest. 

Due to his outstanding police work, Ptl. Marcum was awarded a Commendation. 

On April 16, 2009, two citizens were in the Burger King restaurant eating.  They saw a young girl in the restaurant and became concerned for her welfare.  As the young girl left the restaurant the citizens convinced her to return. 

A short time later the young girl’s mother was contacted and picked up the girl at Burger King.  The citizens later learned the girl had walked away from an elementary school and the Kettering Police were looking for her. 

These two citizens were commended for their assistance.

Ptl. Ryan Meno

Ptl. Ryan Vandegrift

Ptl. Adam Savino
Distinguished Service Award

On April 2, 2009, these officers arrived at the scene of an attempted suicide.  The individual was distressed and refused to obey officers' commands.  Disregarding their own safety, the officers entered a gas-filled structure to rescue the individual.

The individual was safely removed and received medical treatment. 

For their actions, these officers were awarded the commendations by Chief James O’Dell.

Lt. Mark Burian

Ptl. Gregory Stout

Ptl. Brian Hawley
Commendation

On April 2, 2009, officers were monitoring Moraine PD and heard they were looking for a subject threatening to jump off of a bridge.  These officers took it upon themselves to check the bridges in Kettering.  As they approached the Ridgeway/W. Dorothy Bridge, they saw a person straddling the railing.  The officers immediately contacted dispatched, restricted “A” channel and approached the subject.

Officers engaged the subject in dialogue while waiting for other officers to arrive on scene.  Lt. Burian and Ptl. Hawley approached the subject from opposite sides as Ptl. Stout continued to speak with the subject.  Lt. Burian and Ptl. Hawley then pulled the subject from the railing and secured him.  He was transported to KMH for a medical evaluation.

If not for the actions of these officers, this situation could have ended in tragedy.  They were commended for the individual and team effort displayed in successfully resolving this situation and taking the subject into custody.