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Victoria Police Department
Awards and Special Recognitions
The Victoria Police Department is proud of our employees and from time to time they receive special recognitions or other awards for their outstanding performance and service to our community. Below are some of the more recent awards.
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| Awards Given During 2012 |
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On October 24, 2012 the VPD took pride in recognizing several recent promotions. Nine Officers promoted to Senior Police Officer, three recently promoted to Sergeant and one to Lieutenant.
Pictured from left to right are:
SPO Bradley Hlavac, Captain Jesse Turner, SPO Christopher Hill, SPO Mark Hayden, SPO Joshua Vaclavik, Sergeant Kelly Luther, SPO Justin Schubert, Chief Jeff Craig, SPO Tanya Brown, Sergeant Adam Rodriguez, Sergeant Clay Fetters, Lieutenant Mark Jameson, SPO (Detective) Cody Breunig and Captain Kevin Sanderson.
Also promoting but could not be present were SPO Robert Dial and SPO Joshua Robinson pictured below. |
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Sergeant Adam Rodriguez received the Officer of the Year Award from American Legion Post 166 for 2012. He was recognized for his many years of service as a Motor Vehicle Theft investigator for the VPD.
During a recent inspection of the program by the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA), the Victoria Police Department program was recognized as exemplary by the inspectors and the records keeping, reporting, and financial tracking were specifically mentioned as the most organized program seen to date.
In June 2012, the Victoria Police Department Auto Burglary/Theft Unit received the award for Task Force of the Year 2012 from the ABTPA. The unit had to compete with finalists Galveston County and Corpus Christi PD to win the award. He has been an instrumental driving force for this program since being assigned to the unit. Sergeant Rodriguez’ hard work and dedication reflect great credit upon himself, the Auto Theft Unit, the Victoria Police Department, and the City of Victoria. |
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| Officer Cody Breunig received the award for VPD Officer of the Year for 2011. His award read:
....for your outstanding performance in your daily duties as a patrol officer. Through your quick, courageous and professional actions, you have brought much honor to the Victoria Police Department and the profession of policing.
There are many examples during 2011 in which your actions made a differenc...e to the citizens that you serve. In April, you did an exceptional job of creating a dialogue with a suicidal subject, in such a way that made the person feel more comfortable in speaking with you and other officers. Your actions certainly assisted in saving this person’s life.
In June of last year, you arrived at a residence and found a young man not breathing. You checked for a pulse, worked to clear the airway and began chest compressions until EMS arrived and took him to a local hospital where he was placed in intensive care. You stayed in touch with the family, checking on the young man’s condition. That victim eventually made a full recovery and you are part of the reason he is alive today.
In July, you responded to another suicidal call in which a man was on the roof of a business threatening to hurt or kill himself. You were able to keep him talking until other officers were able to make their way onto the roof and safely bring him down.
Lt. Jason Cross recently described you as one of the most hardworking officers that he had ever seen. He mentioned that you pursue leads and develop suspects, never believing that it is someone else’s job to follow-up. Cross said that you are an extremely good conversationalist and interviewer and never shy in speaking with suspects. He calls you a “smart, energetic and enthusiastic officer.”
These are merely a few of the many examples that show that you exhibit both work ethic and pride in your service and make you most deserving as our Officer of the Year. Today the Victoria Police Department salutes you for a job well done. |
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| VPD Senior Police Clerk of Records, Christina Morales received the award for Civilian Employee of the Year. Her award read:
....for your outstanding performance in your daily duties as supervisor in our Records Section. Through your handling of many daunting tasks this past year, you have exemplified the quality employee that you are.
There are many examples during 2011 in which your actions made ...a difference to the VPD and to the citizens that you serve. The police department transitioned to a new records management system throughout the year and you were an integral part of that. As the year progressed, we began in-house training on the software. Many changes were in store for us and you identified and worked through many of these issues to design a smooth workflow.
As this training consumed more of the Records Supervisor’s duties, this pushed more responsibility on you. In areas that you once shared duties with the supervisor, you took on the full task. This is most defined by the many open records requests each day which have stringent time lines, and you had to meet those deadlines. You also took on the financial side of Records regarding how we charge for reports, documents, etc.
Then the most taxing issue came along and that was the personnel changes. A shortage of Records Clerks and the departure of the Records Supervisor in the summer left you with even more burdens. You were then the new leader and decision maker for the Records Section. You handled your additional tasks with poise and professionalism.
In your role last year, you explored many options for our department to implement the new software. You were required to oversee the review of countless records to ensure the conversion properly inserted the information into our software. All this was done while you still managed to handle the day-to-day duties required in Records.
These are merely a few of the many examples that show that you exhibit both work ethic and pride in your service and makes you most deserving as our Civilian Employee of the Year. Today the Victoria Police Department salutes you for a job well done. |
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| Officer Joshua Vaclavik received a Lifesaving Award from Chief Jeff Craig. He award read:
....for the outstanding manner in which you performed your duties in October of last year when you responded to the 200 block of George Street to a man down call, along with Officer Sean Sheehan.
Upon arrival, people in the area indicated that the man had stumbled in the roadway, fell onto a fence and then wa...s laying near the street.
Officer Sheehan checked the subject who appeared to be unconscious. Sheehan told you that the man had no pulse and was not breathing, but was still warm to the touch.
After checking the man’s airway, you and Sheehan began CPR. Sheehan provided the breaths and you administered chest compressions until EMS arrived. EMS relieved you and took over CPR from there. The medic unit transported the man to the hospital where he was revived. Your actions that day were obviously instrumental in prolonging this man’s life.
Today the Victoria Police Department takes great pride in awarding you this Lifesaving award and commends you for an excellent job, quick thinking under pressure and the dedication that you show to the citizens of Victoria.See More |
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| VPD K-9 Officers Jason Stover and Kelly Gibbs are shown receiving a Unit Commendation. Their award read:
....for your teamwork and dedication to the profession of policing.
At the end of October 2011, Victoria began to experience a rash of home burglaries on the south side of the city. On Monday, November 21, 2011, patrol officers located a suspect in these offenses. He ran from officers and a pe...rimeter was set up in the area. K-9 Officers Stover and Gibbs were working and also responded. Because of everyone’s participation, the subject was apprehended but the story does not stop there.
Officer Jason Stover developed a rapport with the suspect which let to him agreeing to talk about crimes that he had committed. During this interview both Stover and Officer Kelly Gibbs transported the subject throughout the city and he pointed out approximately twelve locations that he burglarized. Some of these offenses had not yet been reported to the police.
In addition, the subject shared with you the names of his accomplices and pointed out a location that was being used to fence the stolen property. He also confessed to multiple evading cases and to a burglary in the county.
Sergeant Mark Jameson wrote that the efforts of Stover and Gibbs far exceeded your area of responsibility. He indicated that you spent nearly seven hours and that your attention to detail was paramount. He also mentions that the results of Officer Stover’s interview resulted in property being returned to the rightful owner. This included televisions, video games and a shotgun.
Both of you exemplified the teamwork philosophy and your efforts paid off not only to solve cases but for the protection of your city. The Victoria Police Department salutes you for a job well done and commends you for your professionalism. |
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The three members of our VPD Records Section are shown with Chief Jeff Craig receiving a Unit Commendation. Shown above are Ramona Chavez, Sarah Foster and Christina Morales. Their award read:
....for your teamwork and dedication to the Victoria Police Department.
In 2011, the Records Section began the year with a full staff, working toward the transition to a new records management system for the police department. This required the review and cleanup of as many files as possible in preparation for the conversion to OSSI. Preparation for the transition was a time consuming process that had to be accomplished, while keeping up with daily duties.
As the year progressed, we saw the departure of one staff member and the hiring of another – all being done while the software review process intensified. The in-house training for the department consumed the majority of the two supervisor’s time, therefore Ramona Chavez and Sarah Foster took on more responsibilities.
During the summer, the Supervisor of Records resigned and another clerk transferred, leaving the section shorthanded again. Christina Morales then shouldered all the supervisor duties in Records, without an assistant.
In August, the department transitioned from New World to OSSI records management system. The Records staff assisted in the transition and continued to generate a quality work product. The clerks worked extremely hard in adapting to the new system and assisted others in navigating the new software.
Even with the many challenges faced during the past year, each of you continued to professionally and politely perform your daily duties of handling reports; phone calls; requests for records; and making crime and accident reports to the state. Your efforts reflect the VPD organizational values and today we applaud you as a unit for your dedicated service, loyalty and work ethic. |
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| Adela Lopez, the VPD Investigations Senior Police Clerk received a Certificate of Merit which read:
for your unsurpassed performance and commitment to the Victoria Police Department this past year.
Your assignment within the police department is not an easy one. Your work in the Investigations Division deals with a high volume of duties, deadlines and frequent changes. Your position as a sup...ervisor means that you not only have to deal with the constant ringing of the telephone and interruptions by your co-workers, but you also have to train and supervise the other clerks.
There have been six clerks come and go since 2010, making 2011 extremely tiring for you. The staffing issue has placed a great amount of responsibility on you to cover for employee shortages. During these times, the workflow has not stopped. Many times this past year, you stayed late or worked on weekends to make sure that the clerical duties are accomplished. You even adjusted your vacation to meet the needs of the department.
Even though an enormous responsibility is placed on your shoulders, you maintain a positive attitude and continue your high level of attention to detail to ensure that the work product is accurate.
Adela, you exemplify our organizational values and today, the Victoria Police Department recognizes you for your efforts and dedication to those you serve. |
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VPD Officer Joshua Vaclavik also received a Unit Commendation from the Victoria Fire Chief Taner Drake for his efforts mentioned in the prior Lifesaving Award. |
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| A Citizen's Certificate of Merit was given to the Civilian Police Academy Alumni Association. Shown above are VPD Crime Prevention Officer Chris Guerra along with CPAAA members BJ Kloesel, Charles Kulow, Debbie Gawlik, Pam Railsback, Diana Rhodes and Becky Perez. Chief Jeff Craig is on the right end.
Their award read:
for your devotion and support provided during 2011 to the entire Victoria Police Department.
During 2011, there were seventy-one active members in the CPAAA which means that these seventy-one people actually volunteered some of their time during the year. It is figured that you had a combined total of 1,855.5 reported volunteer hours throughout the year. In terms of police officer salary, your time is valued at over $36,000, but we believe you are priceless.
Members of the CPAAA participate in many crime prevention functions. During the Civilian Police Academies, many alumni attend each class assisting where needed. Many take part as actors for the interactive portions of the Civilian Police Academy in areas such as traffic stops and building searches. On Civilian Academy firearms day, you even provide the entire picnic.
Many of the alumni are always on hand for crime prevention booths or outreach events. You provide critical services to the Neighborhood Watch, HEAT, and VIN etching programs. Your members can often be seen canvassing neighborhoods and parking lots handing out flyers or burglary report cards while performing vehicle security checks. The CPAAA virtually runs the Child Print program with anywhere from fifty to three hundred children being fingerprinted at each event. Other events where you have provided vital reinforcements to our police department have been the Bootfest and parades.
Mentioned above are merely a few of the many programs that the CPAAA members participate. While some other events are not tied directly to policing, you still volunteer your time under the banner of the Civilian Police Academy Alumni Association. For these reasons and a multitude more, the Victoria Police Department salutes you today showing our gratitude for the service that you provide to policing and to your community. |
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Organizers of the Public Safety Awards Banquet were Police Chief Jeff Craig, VPD Sgt. Eline Moya, VFD Paramedic Specialist Celeste Hunter, VFD Support Services Specialist Jimmie Edwards, VFD Admin. Secretary Debbie Breeden and Fire Chief Taner Drake. |
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| Awards Given During 2011 |
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On August 15, 2011, VPD Patrol Officer Cody Breunig received the Law Enforcement Certificate of Commendation from members of the American Legion Post 166. The basis of his nomination and subsequent award was several specific instances of outstanding police work that Officer Breunig displayed this year - including the Lifesaving Award shown below that he received in July of this year.
We are proud of the actions of Officer Breunig, as well as those of all of our outstanding officers at the Victoria Police Department. Congratulations Officer Breunig for another job well done!
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On July 29, 2011 Officer Cody Breunig (at right) accepts a Lifesaving Award from Assistant Chief Roy Boyd. This award is based on the outstanding manner in which Officer Breunig carried out his duties on June 5, 2011 after responding to a call of a drowning at a local residence.
Upon arrival Officer Breunig found that the teenage victim was in the back yard and not breathing. The victim was next to the pool and unresponsive. As Breunig turned the young man onto his back to check for a pulse he thought he felt a weak pulse and heard a sucking sound. He worked to clear the victim’s airway and found that he was no longer breathing and had no pulse.
Officer Breunig then began chest compressions on the victim in an effort to keep him alive until medical help could arrive. When paramedics arrived Breunig provided much needed assistance by continuing chest compressions while they placed the intubation tube into the victim’s airway. Breunig did not relinquish his efforts to save the victim’s life until paramedics from Medic 5 arrived on scene and the victim was loaded for transport to the hospital. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was placed in intensive care.
Thanks to Officer Breunig's efforts at the scene the victim was able to make a full recovery from the drowning that may have cost him his life otherwise. The Victoria Police Department takes great pride in awarding Officer Cody Breunig this Lifesaving award and commends him for an excellent job, quick thinking under pressure and the dedication that he shows to the citizens of Victoria. |
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On July 29, 2011 VPD Telecommunications Operator Rachel Witte is awarded a Lifesaving Award for the outstanding manner in which she carried out her duties on June 5, 2011.
On that day she received a 911 call of a drowning at a Victoria residence. The caller was a young girl who said that a teenage boy had possibly struck his head while swimming and was unconscious under the water for approximately three minutes. The victim had been removed from the pool and they were attempting CPR.
As the events unfolded, TCO Witte remained calm and comforting. During her time on the phone with the caller, the person attempting to perform CPR on the victim had problems he could not overcome. Witte provided detailed instructions on how to overcome the issues, and asked follow up questions to ensure the instructions were being performed correctly.
Even though people at the scene were yelling in the background, Witte remained calm and reassured the caller. She passed all vital information obtained to the TCO sending the Fire Department. Overlooking no detail, she ensured that someone had unlocked the door and was ready to flag down the first responders.
The victim was transported to the hospital where he was placed in intensive care. Thanks to TCO Witte's efforts, the victim made a full recovery from a drowning that may have cost him his life otherwise.
The Victoria Police Department takes great pride in awarding her this Lifesaving award and commends TCO Rachel Witte for an excellent job, quick thinking under pressure, and the dedication that she shows to the citizens of Victoria.
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On July 14, 2011 the VPD Crime Prevention Unit and their local partners received several awards at the Texas Crime Prevention Association conference in El Paso. Shown above accepting these awards Senior Patrol Officer Chris Guerra, Sergeant Felix Appelt and Senior Patrol Officer Willie Whitfield.
The awards were for:
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Outstanding Crime Prevention Agency (Small Agency – population up to 99,999)
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Above and Beyond Award (Felix Appelt & Chris Guerra)
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Outstanding Media Award (Small Agency - The Victoria Television Group)
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Outstanding Citizen Crime Prevention Award (Small Agency – Mr. John Cecil). Mr. Cecil is a member of the Victoria Civilian Police Academy Alumni Association.
There are only eighteen Crime Prevention awards given out for all of Texas. The Victoria Police Department Crime Prevention Unit received an award in ALL of the categories they were qualified to compete for! This is an unheard of occurrence in the world of Crime Prevention. Their hard work, dedication, and professionalism has earned them, and the Victoria Police Department, a great amount of recognition and respect in the crime prevention community.
We would also like to thank Bright Idea Media’s Michael Cloud and the Victoria Television Group. Their assistance in making our vision a reality is greatly appreciated. |
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| Detective Jeff Parsons |
Crime Prevention Officer Chris Guerra |
On March 30, 2011, two of our officers were recognized by the Target Corporation as part of their “Target & Blue” program. VPD Detective Jeff Parsons and Crime Prevention Officer Chris Guerra both received awards in Harlingen, Tx for their “passion and commitment to maintaining safe communities.”
Detective Parsons was honored for his work in investigating shoplifting cases from Target, and his work with the Victoria Loss Prevention Group, which is a group of loss prevention folks from across our city that come together each month to share intelligence and help in identifying shoplifters.
Officer Guerra was recognized for his work on National Night Out, for which Target is a national sponsor.
Target & Blue is Target’s effort to extend a hand of partnership to law enforcement, public safety and criminal justice agencies through programs – as well as integrating law enforcement needs into their business. Target & Blue is about helping to build safer communities by going beyond making a financial contribution to help the community. For example, Target uses their forensic labs and investigation centers to support law enforcement investigations, even on cases completely unrelated to Target. |
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Senior Patrol Officer Shane Wallace (at right) looks on as Interim Police Chief Roy Boyd reads
a Certificate of Civic Achievement that Officer Wallace received on March 4, 2011. The basis of this
award was Officer Wallace's diligent efforts in bringing back the Blue Santa program to Victoria
in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, over 500 children received wrapped gifts as a result. |
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Senior Patrol Officer Eric Poulton received a Certificate of Civic Achievement for his exceptional work in orchestrating deliveries to hospitalized children in Victoria during the 2010 Easter and Christmas seasons. At Easter he and his volunteers distributed Easter baskets, while Christmas stockings were delivered in December. Officer Poulton received this award on March 4, 2011.
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Officer Joshua Vaclavik received a Chief's Letter of Commendation for his outstanding work and perseverance in the investigation of a Burglary of a Motor Vehicle in November, 2010. During that investigation, he conducted a thorough follow-up which led to him obtaining confessions and the victim's property being recovered. Officer Vaclavik received this award on March 4, 2011.
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Officer Mark Hayden received a Self-Initiated Burglary Apprehension Award on March 4, 2011.
He received this award for his self-initiated apprehension of a vehicle burglar in January, 2011
which led to the recovery of stolen property. |
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| Detective Zachary Caldwell received a Self-Initiated Burglary Apprehension Award on March 4, 2011. The basis of this award was his self-initation in apprehending a vehicle burglar in December 2010. His efforts not only led to an arrest, but the recovery of stolen property. The offender was booked for multiple burglaries of vehicles. |
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On March 4, 2011, Senior Patrol Officer Eric Poulton also received the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal from the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in recognition of Officer Poulton's "outstanding achievement and dedication to the maintenance of law and order."
Mr. Art Munford from that organization proudly presented the award. |
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| The Victoria Police Department and Bright Idea Media cleaned up at the Addy Awards for our public service announcements receiving a total of 6 Addy's on February 17, 2011.
The "Sleigh Ride" commercial won top honors with both, Best in Broadcast & Best in Show.
Check out the Sleigh Ride video and others at TheVictoriaPD on YouTube . |
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VPD History
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| If you have historical photos of the Victoria Police Department that you would like to share, please email: kprice@victoriatx.org |
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