SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo Police Department announced the recipients of several Class "A" awards.
According to an SAPD release, the awards are in recognition of the officers' extraordinary efforts in public safety and service in the community.
The Class "A" awards denote decorations that must be earned by officers through several outlined meritorious acts of service.
The awards can be only awarded through the recommendation of the Meritorious Conduct Board and the Chief of Police's approval.
The following officers received the department's Civic Achievement Award:
- Sgt. Kellie Lajoie
- Officer Irma Rodriguez
- Officer Alyssa Asebedo
- Officer Ricardo Dominguez.
The officers were awarded for their efforts to help a lady who was unable to get to the grocery store and purchase groceries during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The officers used their own money to purchase several weeks of groceries for the citizen.
The following officers received the department’s Life-Saving Award:
- Officer Jonathan Montana - In March 2020 Officer Montana applied a tourniquet to the arm of a citizen who had sustained a severe cut and was bleeding excessively. Medical personnel credited Officer Montana’s action for being necessary for the citizen’s recovery.
- Officer Tina Burks - In January 2020 Officer Burks responded to a suicidal subject call, the subject was found in severe medical distress. Officer Burks was able to intervene and reestablish the breathing of the citizen thus saving the citizen's life.
- Officer Chase Hill - In June 2020, officers were dispatched to a suicidal subject call. Once on scene Officer Hill had to physically engage the individual and gain possession of a firearm thus preventing injury to the citizen and fellow officers.
- Officer Charles Barker - In June 2020 Officer Barker responded to an unconscious person. Upon arrival Officer Barker found a citizen who was not breathing. Officer Barker immediately began CPR and maintained CPR until the citizen began breathing again.
- Officers Jennifer Ogan and Ethan Hodges - In July 2020 Officers were dispatched to an unconscious person. Upon arrival, the officers found a citizen who was unconscious and had stopped breathing. The officers began CPR and continued CPR until the citizen began breathing again.
- Officer Steve Dophied - In January, Officer Dophied responded to a welfare check of a citizen. Upon arrival Officer Dophied found a citizen had collapsed and did not have a pulse. Officer Dophied began chest compressions and continued until emergency medical services arrived. Emergency room doctors credited Officer Dophied’s actions to the recovery of the citizen.
“Congratulations to these outstanding officers of the San Angelo Police Department for receiving their respective awards. Thank You for your continued dedication and service to the citizens of San Angelo," Frank Carter, San Angelo Police Department Chief of Police, said.
