ANN ARBOR—Eleven awards to recognize exemplary actions in 1999 were presented Feb. 24 by the University of Michigan’s Department of Public Safety Board of Awards committee.

Nineteen University and community people were honored for public service, crime and loss prevention, and other safety-related assistance. Sixty-five DPS staff members received recognition at the annual awards ceremony for letters of commendation, safe driving and longevity awards, lifesaving, and professional excellence.

The awards were presented at a luncheon at the Kipke Conference Center.

The following awards were distributed:

COMMUNITY AWARDS:

Outstanding Public Service Award: Awarded for voluntary service that involved sacrifice to job or self while assisting the Department of Public Safety.

Sam Rochon — U-M Plant OperationsRochon was in the G. G. Brown Building on Aug. 2, 1999, when a U-M electrician was severely injured in a fire. Rochon responded to the area of the fire, and upon seeing that the victim was being assisted, began attempts to extinguish the fire and continued his attempts until assistance arrived. Rochon, who was later treated for smoke inhalation, helped prevent further damage or injury.

Howard N. Amrhein — U-M Plant OperationsAmrhein was in the G. G. Brown Building on Aug. 2, 1999, when a U-M electrician was severely injured in a fire. Amrhein heard the sound of an explosion and rushed to the scene where he observed his co-worker in need of assistance. Amrhein entered a smoke-filled corridor and assisted in evacuating the co-worker to a safer location. In his actions, Amrhein placed himself in extraordinary circumstances while attempting to save a life, without regard for his personal safety.

Robert Spence — U-M College of EngineeringSpence was in the G. G. Brown Building on Aug. 2, 1999, when a U-M electrician was severely injured in a fire. Spence heard a call for help and responded to the laboratory through a smoke-filled corridor to assist the injured person. He remained in the area assisting the victim without regard for his personal safety under extraordinary circumstances.

Nick Dimitroff — U-M Plant OperationsDimitroff was in the G. G. Brown Building on Aug. 2, 1999, when a U-M electrician was severely injured in a fire. Dimitroff heard the sound of an explosion and rushed to the scene where he observed his co-worker in need of assistance. Dimitroff entered a smoke-filled corridor and assisted in evacuating the co-worker to a safer location. He also assisted in monitoring the welfare of Sam Rochon, while Rochon attempted to extinguish the fire. In his actions, Dimitroff placed himself in extraordinary circumstances while attempting to save a life, without regard to his own personal safety.

Travis M. Lower — U-M studentOn Crime Prevention Award: For any individual or group who significantly contributed to the enhancement of crime prevention for the U-M community.

Jay Platt — West Side Book Shop owner

On Loss Prevention Award: For any individual or group who significantly contributed to the enhancement of loss prevention and the safety and security of the U-M community.John Keedy — U-M College of EngineeringSally Smith — U-M College of Engineering

Between 1997 and 1999, John Keedy and Sally Smith made a significant impact regarding fire safety issues in the College of Engineering. Their office assisted in setting up college-wide fire drills and tours of the area for the Ann Arbor Fire Department, and distributed information to their community that greatly enhanced the cooperation necessary during a crisis situation.Letter of Commendation: To those persons who assisted the Department of Public Safety and were helpful in a crime or safety issue whose actions would not otherwise be recognized.Christina Gonzales — U-M LibrariesJoyoti Saha — U-M student

Gonzales and Saha were both at the Hatcher Graduate Library on Aug. 10, 1999, when they observed the presence of an individual suspected of indecent exposure in the building. Gonzales and Saha contacted the Department of Public Safety, then monitored the suspect’s movements until the arrival of officers on the scene. Their actions assisted in bringing conclusion to an investigation of several months duration.A. Wayne Burkhardt — U-M Chemistry Dept.Aaron Small — U-M studentChristopher Kojiro — U-M Chemistry Dept.Jay Pike — U-M studentOn

Sheryl Renee Mohr — guest at Ronald McDonald HouseOn Jan. 15, 1999, at the Ronald McDonald House, Mohr responded to frantic calls for help. She found a man holding an infant who had stopped breathing. Mohr checked the infant’s vital signs, and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation until relieved by Department of Public Safety personnel. Mohr’s actions in this instance were exemplary and of great assistance.Robert W. Moenart — U-M Audits OfficePaula K. Mitchell — U-M Audits OfficeOn Jan. 12, 2000, Moenart and Mitchell assisted the Department of Public Safety in an incident where a life was saved. The victim was found to be unconscious and in need of assistance. DPS was notified and the officer responding to the scene needed assistance. Moenart assisted in moving the person, while Mitchell assisted in checking pulse. Their efforts assisted the officer in giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and helped bring the incident to a very successful conclusion.

Diane Winter — U-M Financial OperationsOn Jan. 12, 2000, Winter assisted the Department of Public Safety in an incident where a life was saved. Winter was with the victim and saw that he was in need of assistance. She called DPS and assisted the officer responding to the scene with Robert Moenart and Paula Mitchell. Her efforts assisted greatly in aiding the officer giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation and helped bring the incident to a very successful conclusion.DEPARTMENTAL PERSONNEL:Letter of Commendation: To recognize those departmental personnel for tasks that are above their normal duties that would not be recognized in other categories.

Sergeant Jesse LewitSergeant Melissa Overton Officer Chris Carelli Officer Eric Dergis

As a team, Lewit, Overton, Carelli, and Dergis participated in the first annual fundraiser for the Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald House located on this campus sponsored by the Canton Police Department. Participating officers started by bicycle in Canton, rode to the campus Ronald McDonald House, and back to Canton. The fund-raiser collected enough money to pay for 250 nights of lodging for needy families with children receiving treatment at Mott Children’s Hospital.Frederick E. Davids Safe Driving Award: Named in honor of a former Department of Public Safety director who set high goals for officer conduct.Five Years:Officer Charles BeattyOfficer Brent CarriveauOfficer Brian DanielsLieutenant Robert DavenportOfficer Matthew GarlandSergeant Crystal JamesSergeant Jesse LewitOfficer Michael NorthOfficer Joan E. RaymondOfficer Michael SuraOfficer Jennifer Symanns

Ten Years:Officer Carol AbernethyOfficer Dale J. RadakSergeant Janet ConnersInvestigator Ralph RaifordOfficer David A. DupuisOfficer William B. RaymondOfficer Thomas A. FerrierOfficer Stacy L. RichmondOfficer Howard A. FryeOfficer Jeff RoweOfficer Harry A. HarrisOfficer Louis D. Scott, Jr.Officer Alamaina Judson-MalalaOfficer Gail Shelton Officer Kathleen A. KrudwigOfficer James R. SullivanCaptain Robert LeveretteOfficer Matthew M. ThompsonLieutenant Declan LuginOfficer Eric D. TravisSergeant O. Kevin McNultyOfficer Gerard M. VandecandelaereOfficer John OliverOfficer Traci L. VandecandelaereLieutenant Joseph PiersanteSergeant Paul VaughanOfficer Larry R. ProctorOfficer Lloyd A. Wafer, Jr.

Longevity Award: Awarded for continuous five-year terms of U-M law enforcement service.

Five Years:Officer Billy J. BurtonOfficer Michelle ChatellOfficer Scott R. CookOfficer Matthew GarlandOfficer Robert K. LarryOfficer Teresa OesterleOfficer Erik T. PattersonOfficer Kevin B. RiceOfficer Sandra A. RogalaOfficer Jennifer SymannsOfficer Michael P. SuraOfficer Mark WestLieutenant Christopher D. Yokley

Ten Years:Officer Joseph E. AndersonOfficer David S. RussellOfficer Eric D. Travis

Fifteen Years:Officer Robert BaileyPamela A. GonzalesOfficer Joan E. Raymond

Twenty Years:Officer Thomas DettlingLieutenant Gary R. HillSergeant O. Kevin McNultyCaptain Terry R. SeamesOfc. Gerard M. Vandecandelaere

Twenty-five Years:Lieutenant Rachel L. FlintOfficer Lloyd A. Wafer, Jr.

Thirty Years:Lieutenant Robert L. Davenport

Lifesaving Citation: Awarded for a heroic effort to save a life by trained life support method, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, with the ideals of the Good Samaritan Act.

Officer Pasquale “Pat” Alessi

On Jan. 12, 2000, Alessi responded from the Wolverine Tower COP Office to the third floor of that building regarding an ambulance request. Upon his arrival at the scene, Alessi found the victim to have no pulse or respiration and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately. After five minutes, Ann Arbor Fire Department personnel arrived on the scene followed by Huron Valley Ambulance personnel. Through all efforts, the victim was able to breathe on his own, and heartbeat and blood pressure were restored. Alessi’s actions meet the high standards of this award and provide an example of heroic effort to save a life.Director’s Citation: Awarded by the Director of the Department of Public Safety to department members for outstanding service to the department.

Officer James R. Sullivan:

Between January 1994 and present, Sullivan has provided fire drills and presentations for all child care centers on the U-M campus. While this is an assigned duty, Sullivan has developed a program that not only shows the children what to do in a fire, but has incorporated safety, crime prevention and other pertinent information into his presentations. He has developed rapport with staff and children alike, along with his “McGruff” puppet partner, and he has had a significant positive influence in the child centers. The U-M Children’s Center for Working Families Newsletter featured Sullivan in an article, and numerous staff members have expressed their appreciation for his efforts.

Sergeant Jesse LewitSergeant Melissa OvertonOfficer Brent CarriveauOfficer Stacy Richmond

As a team, Lewit, Overton, Carriveau, and Richmond developed and instituted a program for the Department of Public Safety that is the first of its kind for a Washtenaw County law enforcement agency and one that has a high potential for life saving on the University campus. The program combined training and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). Training of department personnel has been completed and is a major step forward in our life saving effort. This team researched, purchased, trained, and implemented the program that provides a superior service to the community. This program is now being implemented on the U-M-Flint Campus with assistance of Lewit.Unit Citation for Professional Excellence: Awarded for outstanding services rendered in the line of duty by several in a team effort who, because of their diligence and perseverance, bring a difficult task to a successful end.

Lieutenant Robert Neumann Sergeant Jesse LewitOfficer Stacy RichmondOfficer Gina CimoPittsfield Township Officer James Wickman

On Professional Excellence Citation: Awarded to personnel who individually perform a duty or assignment in an exceedingly masterful and skillful manner.

Officer Kurt Kohtz

On Jan. 15, 1999, Kohtz responded to the Ronald McDonald House regarding an infant who was not breathing and had no pulse. Kohtz took over performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation until relieved by Ann Arbor Fire Department personnel. Further assistance was rendered to medical personnel in communicating with the family and gathering needed information for paramedics on the scene. The infant, who had recently undergone surgery for treatment of a major heart condition, was unfortunately pronounced dead a short time later. Kohtz’s demonstration of care, skill and assistance in this difficult situation was a credit to himself and the Department of Public Safety.

Officer Brent CarriveauOn Jan. 15, 1999, Carriveau responded to the Ronald McDonald House regarding an infant who was not breathing and had no pulse. Carriveau worked in concert with the Ann Arbor Fire Department and Huron Valley Ambulance, helping set up oxygen delivery and administering respirations with an infant bag valve mask. Further assistance was rendered to medical personnel in communicating with the family and gathering needed information for paramedics on the scene. The infant, who had recently undergone surgery for treatment of a major heart condition, was unfortunately pronounced dead a short time later. Carriveau’s demonstration of care, skill and assistance in this difficult situation was a credit to himself and the Department of Public Safety.

Department of Public Safety