On Friday night, the police converged onto the Community Center in Italy. Not in an official capacity but to be honored by Police Chief Diron Hill, friends and family. They gathered to honor our local police force and all the dedication they have for our community.

After Chief Hill welcomed the guests to the 2012 Italy Police Department Annual Awards Banquet, he addressed the officers, “We would like to honor the ones who serve the city and worked hard all year. You’ve made our city better by what you’ve done. This is a small token for your service.”

Sgt. Tierra Mooney was announced Italy’s Officer of the Year at the banquet. Chief Hill said, “This officer has bent over backwards for this department and has come in to work on her days off to work cases and is always there to lend a hand and help others when needed. This officer is an FTO (Field Training Officer) and has taught many officers, including officer safety. She has been instrumental this year with the progress of the department and provides leadership in all aspects. Sgt. Mooney will still answer the phone and assist any officers, even when not the on-call supervisor. Sgt. Mooney has been instrumental with planning and organizing many community programs throughout the police department like Shop with a Cop, the 1st Annual Guns and Hoses softball game with the fireworks show and National Night Out. This officer has raised thousand of dollars through many fundraising events to ensure the success of these programs for the future.”

The 2012 Medal of Valor was received by Officer Pedro Gonzalez. “On Saturday, October 27, 2012, Officer Gonzalez was working patrol as a volunteer reserve officer. Ellis County dispatch advised that there was a high speed pursuit traveling south on I-35E towards Italy. The suspect was wanted for aggravated assault on a police officer, where he had attempted to run over an officer just a week prior. Officer Gonzalez, who is trained in the use of the department’s stop sticks. He set up at the 386 mile marker and waited for the pursuit to approach the city. When the suspect entered Italy, Officer Gonzalez positioned himself to deploy the stop sticks and as the suspect approached his position, the suspect veered across 2 lanes of traffic, aiming for Officer Gonzalez. The officer was able to jump away at the last second and still deploy the spike strips effectively causing 3 of the tires on the suspect’s vehicle to deflate. The car came within inches of hitting Officer Gonzalez. For your exceptional bravery during an extremely dangerous situation, you are awarded the department’s Medal of Valor,” Chief Hill explained.

Officer Gonzalez also received Reserve Officer of the Year award. He has been a volunteer reserve with Italy’s department since 2009.

Officer Mike Richardson received the Rookie of the Year award. Chief Hill described Richardson, “This officer is very dedicated to his job. He shows professionalism at all times. He has taken care of IT problems for the department on numerous occasions saving the city money. He has developed a form that can be used with the ticket writer printer for towing and set up printing capability for the patrol units. Officer Richardson is very proactive and is not afraid to go the extra mile to get the job done. He is not afraid to help out when needed. He has made several felony arrests and DWI arrests and has helped out with nearly every department event throughout the year.”

The board from the Tour d’Italia wrote a thank you note for the valuable teamwork and contribution to the 2012 Tour d’Italia. “One of the best races so far with the help of Italy’s Police Department.”

Daniel Pitts and Shawn Martin were awarded certificates for Field Training Officers.

Shawn Martin is TCLEOSE Instructor and received his pin. (The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education Commission strives to meet its mission of ensuring a Texas where people are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement and corrections personnel through screening, developing, monitoring resources, and setting standards.)

Shelbee Landon received a Police Commendation for dedication and commitment to serving the citizens of Italy by providing an exceptional service through Code Enforcement and Animal Control, as well as her contributions to serving the city through many community events.

Mike Richardson received a Police Commendation for dedication and commitment to the Italy Police Department and serving as a volunteer reserve officer.

Community Service Certificate for commitment to community service and promoting community relations through participation in the first Italy Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy was given to:
Sue Lauhoff
Shawn Martin
Tierra Mooney
Daniel Pitts
Mike Richardson
Shelbee Landon
Eric Tolliver

Community Service Certificate for commitment to the community and promoting the Shop with a Cop program by participating in the 1st Annual Guns and Hoses Softball game:
Perry Kaemmerling
Eric Tolliver
Daniel Pitts
Shawn Martin
Mike Richardson
Shelbee Landon
Sue Lauhoff
Mayor Pro-Tem Rodney Guthrie
Tierra Mooney-Meritorious Conduct (Organizing the event)

Police Commendation for commitment to building community relations and promoting safety through participation with the July 4th events:
Mike Richardson
Pedro Gonzalez
Daniel Pitts
Shawn Martin
Shelbee Landon
Tierra Mooney
Eric Tolliver
Sue Lauhoff
Kelly Westbrook
Meg Lyons
Elmerine Bell
Anne Sutherland
Manuela Martin
Councilman Dennis Perkins Jr.

Community Service Certificate was given for exceptional service to community relations by participating in the 2012 national Night Out in Italy on October 2, 2012:
Pedro Gonzalez
Shawn Martin
Tierra Mooney
Daniel Pitts
Mike Richardson
Shelbee Landon
Eric Tolliver
Meg Lyons
Elmerine Bell
Kelly Westbrook
Sue Lauhoff-Meritorious Conduct (Planning and Organizing)

Community Service Certificate was awarded for commitment to community service by participating in the 2012 Shop with a Cop program:
Shawn Martin
Shelbee Landon
Mike Richardson
Eric Tolliver
Tierra Mooney-Meritorious Conduct (Planning and Organizing)

Citizen Charles Hyles received a Plaque of Appreciation for his dedication and support of the Italy Police Department throughout the years. Chief Hill said, “Thank you for helping make our department successful.”

Italy’s Fire Chief Don Chambers received a Plaque of Appreciation for the Fire Departments’s help with organizing and participating in the 2012 Italy Guns and Hoses Softball game benefitting the Italy Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program. “The Fire Department gave countless hours getting the fields ready and ensuring the game would happen,” Chief Hill explained.

Officer Bobby McFarland received a Plaque of Appreciation for supporting and assisting the Italy Police Department with several community events throughout 2012. Officer McFarland is an officer with the Bryan Police Department and commended for his commitment to community service in Italy.

Two members of the City Council were on hand to congratulate the Police Department. Greg Richards said to Chief Hill, “Thank you for the job you are doing and the wonderful officers you have hired.” Also, James Hobbs explained, “This town is totally different than four years ago when my wife and I moved here. Your department is so professional and all are doing a fine job.”

A standing ovation was given at the end.

We must become the change we want to see in the world.
Mohandas Gandhi