On March 1 the Tyler Police Department honored those who are called to serve and go above to help their community during the 2022 Award Banquet.

Below is a list of winners and how they went above and beyond the call of duty:

ROOKIE OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Nominees for Rookie of the Year must have less than two years of service as an officer with the department.  The officer selected this year is a dedicated worker and is highly motivated to do the job.  He joined our department and headed straight to the Police Academy.  The program is intentionally hard so we have the best-prepared officers on the Tyler streets.  After the academy, this officer successfully completed the Police Training Officer Program and then was assigned solo patrol. 

We are proud to have this officer working for the Tyler Police Department. The 2021 Rookie Officer of the Year is James Meredith.

He has performed well as a rookie officer handling many different types of calls.  He is always willing to go above and beyond what is required during calls and to assist citizens and back up his coworkers.  He has been complimented on his professionalism and helpfulness by community members.

UNIT OF THE YEAR

As violent crime increased throughout the nation, the Tyler Police Department took immediate steps to respond. Police Administration took several responsibilities of the PD and developed what is now known as the Priority Response Team.  This includes the addition of two new positions obtained through the COPS hiring grant program.

The Tyler Police Department Unit of the Year is the Priority Response Team.

By utilizing past and current crime statistics to identify “High crime” areas, officers focused on those areas and prioritized community relationships.  Priority Response team Officers or P.R.T. kept working hard, showing their unselfish desire to solve community issues and protect residents.  Before too long, residents of these areas began volunteering information such as wanted suspects or identifying “problem” residences and subjects. 

This reorganization led to a significantly noticeable drop in violent crime.  They have also taken on additional roles such as bicycle patrols in city parks, boat patrols on Lake Tyler as well as responding to community-specific problems.

Along with the ability to use Community-oriented policing to handle the issues of violent crimes in the City of Tyler, the Priority Response Unit has seized numerous unlawfully possessed or stolen firearms, substantial amounts of illegal drugs as well as recovered significant amounts of stolen property.

SWORN SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

This supervisor possesses the qualities you want in a leader.  He takes care of his people, listens to them, and treats everyone with respect.  He has high expectations for officers and creates an environment for officers to meet those expectations.  He knows the job, keeps his composure in high-stress situations and has a sense of humor.  He has been a great supervisor to work for and makes coming to work enjoyable.  This supervisor routinely gives advice on keeping a positive mindset, which can be hard at times in this profession.  He encourages officers to build strong interpersonal relationships and gives advice on how to do it.  He has created a very strong “team” mentality since coming to the night shift. 

The Tyler Police Department is proud to announce Lt. Will Sinclair as the Sworn Supervisor of 2021.

He is committed to making a difference in the department and his community.  Officers report that he truly cares about the people who work for him and builds real relationships.  He is easily one of the most down-to-earth and approachable supervisors at the Police Department.  When needed he responds to calls or makes traffic stops to support his shift and serve the community of Tyler.

PLAINCLOTHES OFFICER OF THE YEAR

This year’s recipient for the plainclothes officer of the year has a specific focus in investigations and he gives his all for every case.  New technology has helped police investigations tremendously over the past several years.  But with new technology comes a much larger responsibility for what is needed and for what is requested in investigations.

Approximately two years ago, this investigator, became the Tyler Police Department’s first Computer and phone Forensic Investigator.  He has received hundreds of hours of training in this new position.

The Tyler Police Department proudly names Investigator Dennis Mathews as the 2021 Plainclothes Officer of the Year.

For the year 2021, Detective Dennis Mathews has assisted almost every investigator in the department with their cases.  He conducts computer and phone forensic downloads for a significant portion of PD cases.  Detective Mathews case has been much more than expected when his position was originally created.  But he still takes the time to explain the information that he has retrieved and what exactly they are looking at.   Detective Mathews never complains, comes to work early, stays late and will stop what he is doing to assist other investigators with no questions asked.  He has assisted the Texas Rangers with their cases as well as other agencies. With assistance from Detective Mathews, many investigations for the Tyler Police Department and other agencies have been able to be solved and present more information for the District Attorney’s Office.  Detective Mathews has also been very instrumental this past year in helping the Tyler Police Department obtain updated equipment, which was needed as technology changes to stay ahead of crime trends.

OFFICER OF THE YEAR

The Officer of the Year is highly respected among Officers, Investigators and Supervisors at the Tyler Police Department.  This Officer assists other employees whenever possible and is often looked to for advice about cases from other officers.  He has an excellent work ethic and cares for others, coworkers and callers.

It is with great pleasure the Tyler Police Department proudly names Officer Blake Kelley as the 2021 Officer of the Year.

This officer cross-trained with Property Crimes this year and learned all he could.  During this time frame, he was assigned 106 open cases, completed 29 arrest warrants and presented 18 cases to the District Attorney’s Office.

Upon returning to Patrol, he continued with his strong work ethic, using what he had learned to investigate cases he responded to.  He answered over 400 calls for service as the primary officer and 260 backup calls.  He does a large amount of self-initiated work.  This Officer’s passion is DWI enforcement.  During the last six months of the year 2021, he had over 250 traffic stops with 63 arrests, 18 of those being for Driving While Intoxicated.  This officer has accomplished this by finding the balance of handling calls for service and conducting self-initiated activity while working on his passion for DWIs.  His hard work has protected individuals in Tyler and reflects positively on the Tyler Police Department.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

The Tyler Police Department has many dedicated volunteers working at the PD.  Their tasks range from assisting in Data Management and customer service to helping transport vehicles or being on call as a chaplain to assist victims or officers.

Tyler Police Department is proud to present the Volunteer of the Year award to Data Management’s Anita Strong.

Our Volunteer of the year has been a strong and steady worker for us.  In the past couple of years, volunteers have been restricted from many assignments due to safety and health concerns during the pandemic.  When volunteers were allowed to return, this volunteer picked her projects right back up where she had stopped.  Many times, she will put in an 8-hour day as she scans and attaches files to digital records.  Her work ethic is superb, and she is loved by everyone in Data Management.  She is always friendly and willing to help with any projects that come up.

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

The 2021 Civilian Employee of the Year has proven himself to be a valuable member of the Tyler Police Department again and again throughout his employment. His tasks include greeting citizens who come to the police department and helping those calling on the phone.  This employee is always working hard. 

We are pleased to award the Civilian Employee of the Year to Data Management’s Carthil Leaton.

This past year has been a little complicated for this employee.  With employees in his unit at both the Downtown and Faulkner stations, sometimes this employee had to switch reporting locations at a moment’s notice.  When needed to cover for an employee who was out, he never complained.  He continues to be ready to work where he is needed.  He willingly assists with staffing issues and volunteers for projects which helps his unit and the entire police department.

CIVILIAN SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

This civilian Supervisor is respected by subordinates and supervisors and can motivate the employees they work with.  Especially in this unit, they must have exceptional communication skills and be able to disseminate information to those needing it.

The Tyler Police Department’s Civilian Supervisor of the Year is Erin Mayfield.

This supervisor has been described as “the exemplification of calm out of chaos.”  She always goes above and beyond to help officers or any employee who comes to her.  Ever vigilant, this employees’ experience and instincts are impeccable when researching callers, suspects, victims, or previous calls.  She also frequently injects some much-needed levity in a situation while also somehow remaining professional. 

She genuinely cares about the welfare of officers and dispatchers working the shift.  The officers respect her knowledge and abilities, and dispatchers appreciate her work ethic.  She has a calming effect on everyone around during high-stress incidents, which is a huge bonus in our line of work.

This employee has been named as Supervisor of the year two separate times since the beginning of her employment with the PD.

CITIZEN'S CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

The Tyler Police Department has taken part in community events and developed programs to help our community.  This citizen has been a vital part in organizing and publicizing events such as Blue Santa, Silver Santa and other programs.  When the PD reaches out to her, she is always willing to help wherever needed. 

We honor Cathy Gill for her dedication to our community.  For assisting the department, she is awarded the Citizen’s Certificate of Merit.

Cathy Gill is an employee of Wal Mart and she always volunteers her store to help.  And gives her personal time to take part in the Annual Blue Santa where officers go shopping with kids in the community.  She has been a vital part of that group and jumped in when our department developed a Silver Santa program to reach out to the elderly in our area. She is involved in many organizations and also is involved in feeding the homeless people under the bridge.

CERTIFICATE OF CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT

These employees have been involved with the Tyler Police Department’s Public Safety Cadets Post 310 in 2021.  This program was formerly known as the Tyler PD Explorers and has been around for many years.  The program had challenges over the years with different Tyler PD personnel stepping up to continue its success.  This program is for students aged 14 through 21 years, where Officers show them police work and tasks. 

The Cadets have volunteered their time at events in the community.  Last year they worked at the East Texas State Fair at the crosswalk where TPD officers enjoyed their help and positive attitude.  Cadets have also helped in Spanish-speaking areas serving as interpreters for the CRO unit.

2020 and 2021 has been a challenge with COVID-19 to keep the program alive but dedicated long terms officers worked hard to stay in contact with those in the programs.  Chris Sharp, Scott Behrend and James McCraw publicize the Cadet program by reaching out to 8th-grade students before they choose a career path.  Officers have also visited Criminal Justice Programs in area high schools to educate kids on what it takes to be a police officer, dispatcher, jail staff and other Law Enforcement positions.  There are several current TPD hires who have been through the program and are moving forward to careers in law enforcement.

The Public Safety Cadet program brings recognition to TPD with its diversity, recruiting, and community involvement.  These officers put in a lot of behind-the-scenes work by coming up with new ideas to make the program even better.  The leaders spend lots of time planning events and training for the cadets.  The additions of Bianca Smedley, Lyndsey Rogers and Kristina James has been extremely beneficial to the program, and we are proud for their efforts.

These officers have gone above and beyond by guiding and teaching the Public Safety Cadets.  Officers Chris Sharp, Scott Behrend, James McCraw, Bianca Smedley, Lyndsey Rogers and Kristina James are awarded Certificates of Merit. 

LIFE SAVING AWARD

On Saturday, July 24th, Officer Jimmy Johns responded to a welfare concern involving a young female who was potentially suicidal.

The victim’s mother had called in and advised the individual had sent a message that could be described as a suicide note.  Due to a history of suicide attempts, the mother was gravely concerned. 

Officer Jimmy Johns spotted the individual at the bridge at Gentry and Fannin.  He started talking to her to create a dialogue and divert her attention from her plan.  He carefully moved toward her throughout their conversation.  When she indicated that she was going to jump, Officer Johns sprinted forward to grab her.  He pulled her over the ledge to his side of the bridge, preventing her from seriously injuring herself or jumping to her death.

The Tyler Police Department is honored to present the Life Saving Award to Officer Jimmy Johns.

LIFE SAVING AWARD

The Tyler Police Department received a call in August in reference to an unresponsive person.  Information was still coming in when officers were dispatched to support Tyler Fire Department.  Officer Josh Darty was the first responder who arrived and was guided to the male by another resident of the home.  Officer Darty began performing CPR on the unresponsive male.  The Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services arrived not long after and assisted in providing first aid.  Through their work, the man regained a pulse before he was rushed to the hospital for further care.

The Tyler Police Department happily presents the Life Saving Award to Officer Josh Darty.

LIFE SAVING AWARD

On September 26th, Officers were dispatched to a disturbance.  Dispatch advised that a male subject was bleeding heavily and going in and out of consciousness. Upon arrival, officers located a subject laying in the middle of the parking lot bleeding heavily.  Officers decided a tourniquet was needed to be applied in order to stop the bleeding. Officer Tosh Roberts applied his Tyler PD issued tourniquet to the man’s arm. Officers applied pressure to the wound trying to stop the flow of blood, but it was a deep injury.  Upon arrival of EMS, they advised a second tourniquet was needed at which time Officer Ron Freeman provided them with his tourniquet to assist the situation.  EMS took over medical care and raced the man to the hospital.

TPD gladly presents Officers Tosh Roberts and Ron Freeman with a Life Saving Award.

LIFE SAVING AWARD

Officers responded to a shooting scene where a victim had been struck by a bullet.  Responding officers found a male shot in the leg and bleeding profusely.  Officer Luis Aparicio applied a tourniquet to slow the loss of blood before EMS could arrive to attend to him.

The subsequent investigation found that the weapon was stored in the home unsecured, and a child had gotten a hold of it and pulled the trigger while playing. The situation could have been much worse had Officer Aparicio not had an available tourniquet and been able to treat the injured juvenile until he was taken to a hospital to be assessed.

The Tyler Police Department recognizes Officer Luis Aparicio with a Life Saving Award in response to his actions.

LIFE SAVING AWARD

In the early morning hours of May 22, 2021, officers responded to an aggravated assault that just occurred.  Upon arriving, officers stopped a vehicle and located a victim who had multiple gunshots to the abdominal area.  Officers Brandon Lott and Braden Barnes administered first aid until Tyler Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services arrived and took over. 

The emergency room physician advised that because the officers took quick and immediate lifesaving actions, the victim was able to be transported to a local hospital where he was rushed into emergency surgery. Due to the actions of Officers Lott and Barnes action, the victim did not succumb to his wounds at the scene.

TPD honors the actions of Sergeant Brandon Lott and Officer Brandon Barnes by presenting each with a Life Saving Award.

LIFE SAVING AWARD

Officers were sent on a welfare concern that turned into a barricaded subject as the man backed into a room and threatened officers who tried to talk to him. Responding officers cleared the house and kept the other residents away from the situation.  Officer Jason Lewis tried to communicate with the man to prevent him from continuing to harm himself.

Negotiator Tyler Pride arrived and began a conversation with the man.  He was not cooperative with their efforts and continued cutting himself.  At one point, he dropped the weapon.  Immediately, Officer Pride took control of the situation.  He and Officer Lewis grabbed the man, moving him away from the weapon and took him into custody.  These actions prevented further injury and got him medical care.

The Tyler Police Departments thanks Officers Jason Lewis and Tyler Pride for their efforts and award them with a Life Saving Certificate.

POLICE COMMENDATION

This Investigator is a long-time employee who has served with the Tyler Police Department since August of 1994.  He has worked as a patrol officer, an Accident Investigator and currently serves in the Investigation Division as a Crimes Against Person detective.

In December 2004, hikers discovered skeletal remains inside an old barn.  There was no evidence of foul play but there was also no personal property or identifying information to reveal his name.

An artist rendition of John Doe was released to the media but no information was useful.  Detective Jim Holt began looking into this case in 2019.  He became aware of the DNA Doe Project, a non-profit, donation-funded organization whose mission is the identification of human remains using ancestral DNA research.  Det. Hold made sure viable DNA samples from John Doe were provided to a private lab for specific testing needed for this research.

In July of 2021, Det. Holt was contacted by the DNA Doe Project about a potential candidate for our unidentified person.  Det. Holt contacted a family member of that missing person who lived out of state.  They agreed to provide a DNA sample.  In November 2021, Det. Holt received a report confirming the identity of our John Doe based on the DNA samples from the family.

This brought some sense of closure for the missing man’s family.  Although this case could have easily stayed unsolved for many years, Det. Holt took the initiative to research and explore new investigative efforts.  His determined search for the truth is to be commended and shows excellence in police service and outstanding performance of duties.

TPD is honored to present the Police Commendation to Detective Jim Holt.

DAIQUIRI HOMICIDE

Late in the evening of June 25, 2021, a shooting erupted at a restaurant on Troup Highway.  This was a highly volatile situation with reports of multiple shooters and several victims.  Multiple officers responded to this active scene.  These officers all selflessly ran into a chaotic situation, at the extreme risk of personal safety, to save lives and protect our local community. 

There were hundreds of people in the area when first responders arrived and there was still an unknown description of the shooters.  Officers could see several people injured.  These first officers started triaging victims and began to provide first aid to the hurt.

Sgt. Tim Hutson, Officers’ Jon Phillips, Kaci Lopez and Spencer McGregor are presented with a Life Saving Award for their actions.

One of the first on the scene was Officer Lyndsey Rogers who is a former paramedic.  She led the officers in attending to a gravely injured female.  When the EMS crew arrived, it was still chaos and overwhelming.  Officer Rogers took charge of the crew to support them in the needed care for the shooting victim.

Officer Rogers’ situational awareness, training, experience and her ability to stay calm and focused in a stressful situation, alerted her to a need.  She did not hesitate to go beyond her duty and aid EMS in providing care of the shooting victim.  She rode with EMS to the hospital as they continued life-saving measures.

TPD is proud to have this employee working for the department. Officer Lyndsey Rogers is presented with a Life Saving Award and a Police Commendation for her actions in this situation.

As the shooting scene stabilized, the Crime Scene Investigation Unit arrived.  Sgt. Jeff Rackliff, Officer Rebekah Hutson, Officer Jamie Tarrant and Officer Jon Stone worked all night processing the scene.  They had to be attentive to the smallest detail to document the evidence located after the shooting.  Intermediate CSI Spencer McGregor was on shift and was one of the first officers who arrived, and he stayed to assist the CSIs.  Accident investigators Brandon Crawley and Brad Langford were called out to document this large-scale scene.  This group spent the next 30 hours photographing and mapping the scene as well as collecting hundreds of pieces of evidence.  Their outstanding contributions to this extremely difficult police investigation led to the overall success of police detectives and therefore should be commended. 

The Tyler Police Department commends the work of Sgt. Jeff Rackliff, Officer Rebekah Hutson, Officer Jamie Tarrant and Officer Jon Stone as well as accident investigators Brandon Crawley and Brad Langford. All received a Police Commendation.

Investigators were contacted early on and headed to the scene.  Lead Detective Ken Gardner, Sgt. Adam Tarrant and Det. Kris Davis arrived at the location and worked all night on the overwhelming task of interviewing many witnesses as well as reviewing hours of video footage to identify suspects and witnesses.  These investigators were solely working on this incident for weeks.  Based on their incredible efforts, Det. Ken Gardner, Sgt. Adam Tarrant and Det. Kris Davis received a Police Commendation.

Various follow up tasks were required during the investigation. Judson Moore, Garret Martin, April Molina, Jim Holt, Craig Shine, Robert Main, Edgar Zapata, Ryan Caldwell, Alton Dickerson, Mike Kieny, Dennis Mathews, Rodney Simington, Wayne Thomas, Blake Kelley, Sgts. James Freeman, Destry Walsworth and Darin Grissom were a vital part of the investigative team. Many worked overtime that weekend to continue the investigation including tasks such as followup interviews with witnesses and proceeding with getting warrants. All received a Certificate of Merit.

We are proud of our officers’ training and skill and this incident revealed that we have a great group of people at the Tyler Police Department.