SAN ANGELO, Texas — Nine San Angelo Police Department officers received meritorious awards for 2023, the SAPD said Friday.
The department encourages employees to nominate fellow officers for the awards. The nominations are first submitted to the nominated officer’s chain of command for review and then submitted to the “meritorious review board” who determines if officers' actions meet the criteria for a meritorious award.
"Chief Frank Carter would like to acknowledge the heroism and extraordinary acts of bravery that were displayed by these officers for the 2023 year," an SAPD release said.
- Officers Mark Calvert, Danielle Crowder and Mike Morris were awarded lifesaving awards for their heroic actions in lifting a vehicle that a citizen was trapped underneath. These officers quick reaction of freeing the victim from being trapped under the vehicle ultimately saved his life.
- Officer Delacruz was awarded the lifesaving award for disregarding his personal safety and rendering aid to a citizen for a large swarm of bees attacking them. Medical personnel agreed that Officer Delacruz’s decisive action saved the victims life.
- Lt. Adam Scott, Lt. Craig Thomason, Sgt. Brian Gesch, Officer Chris Herrington and Officer Rodney Mitchell received the police commendation bar for the challenging project of constructing a SIMMS house for the department from the ground up. The SIMMS house is a non-ballistic shoot house which allows walls to be moved to create a variety of training environment which officers can utilize to improve their skills. The craftsmanship and dedication demonstrated by these individuals provided are a direct reflection of what SAPD strives for.
"We take great pride in our dedicated officers as they truly embody protecting and serving our community," the SAPD said in the release.
