In an effort to recognize outstanding work and achievement, the Mentor Police Department has adopted the Lake County Association of Chiefs of Police (LCACP) Awards Program. The awards consist of citation bars to be worn on the officer’s uniform, and an account of the award to be placed in the officer’s personnel file. Officers display these awards whenever they are attired in dress uniforms.
To insure that members receiving awards are deserving of them, a system of review has been instituted. All awards are reviewed. The recommendation for an award is initiated by any supervisor by submitting a written report to the Chief of Police, after his/her investigation of the incident.
The first five awards listed below are known as the “Green Bar” awards. They are given for acts of bravery and heroism and are generally awarded by the Lake County Chief’s of Police. The remaining awards are awarded on the local level by each participating agency.
Below each of the major awards are the names of current members of the department who have been given that award.
Medal of Honor
This is the highest award given by the LCACP. The Medal of Honor is awarded for an outstanding act of heroism in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard of life, and with full knowledge of the risk involved. The Medal of Honor is awarded for bravery well above and beyond what is expected by the department. This award will consist of a green bar with gold stars.
Distinguished Service Award
The second highest award is given by the Chiefs for an outstanding act of heroism in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard to life, that does not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Citation Bar is white flanked with green.
Scott Tkach – 2009
Michael Bruening – 2008
Paul Fiorilli – 2008
Paul Fiorilli – 2004
Daniel Shaw – 2003
Michael Kloski – 2002
Kenneth Gunsch – 1998
Michael Bruening – 1996
Michael Toth – 1990
Combat Cross
This award is given in honor of an individual act of heroism, at imminent personal hazard of life, while in combat with an armed adversary. The award is green with small gold stripes at the end.
Scott Tkach – 2009
Michael Bruening – 1996
Michael Toth – 1985
Injured On-Duty Award
This award is given for officers injured while in direct performance of their police duties. It is given only in those situations where officers sustain serious physical harm. It would normally be awarded when officers are injured while making arrests, patrolling, or performing other duties normally associated with police services given directly to the public. The Injured On-Duty Award Citation Bar is green with small four gold stripes.
Life Saving Award
For an act performed in the line of duty through disregard for personal safety, or prompt and alert action, which results in the saving of a life or lives, or a valiant effort to that end. The bar is green and white.
Raymond O’Brien – 2010
Michael Bruening – 2006
Ryan Heramb – 2006
Exceptional Service Award
For any act or series of acts, or program(s) that has a long term impact on furthering the goals, interest, and/or esteem of the department. It may be awarded to any employee, sworn or civilian, when the qualifying act is deemed to be exceptional in nature. The award bar is red in color.
Jeffrey Reese – 2010
Scott Bell – 2009
Curt Davis – 2009
Richard Gerber – 2009
Kenneth Gunsch – 2009
Andrew Lehner – 2009
Jonathan Miller – 2009
Daniel Molnar – 2009
Christopher Pattie – Received 2 awards in 2009
Dustin Richards – 2009
Suzanne Sistek – 2009
Richard Slovenkay – 2009
Jonathan Smelcer – 2009
Mark Stansbury – 2009
Phillip Croucher – 2008
Michael Majernik – 2008
David Paulchel – 2008
Colleen Petro – 2008
Marilyn Satterfield – 2008
Conrad Straube – 2008
Michael Toth – 2008
Robert Valley – 2008
Kenneth Willis – 2008
James Collier – 2007
Michael Bruening – Received 2 awards in 2006
Ryan Heramb – Received 2 awards in 2006
David Paulchel – 2006
Kenneth Zbiegien – 2006
Richard Slovenkay – 2005
James Collier – 2004
John Vecchione – 2004
Edward Zigman – 2004
Jeffrey Greco – 2002
Christopher Ivanovics – 2002
Michael Kloski – 2002
Scott Tkach – 2002
Robert Valley – 2002
Michael Majernik – 2000
Timothy Allen – 1998
Edward Zigman – 1998
Larry Fisher – 1996
Ronald Gunton – 1996
Patrick Reilly – 1996
Edward Zigman – 1996
Jeffrey Reese – 1994
Jack Donahue – 1991
Timothy Abbott – 1988
Larry Fisher – 1987
John Jaros – 1987
Daniel Llewellyn – 1987
Jeffrey Reese – 1987
John Jaros – 1984
Daniel Llewellyn – 1984
Tom Powers – 1984
Jeffrey Reese – 1983
Departmental Excellence Award
This award is given for an investigation, arrest, or series of arrests that by its nature, brings credit to the department and the law enforcement profession. The tri-color ribbon is red, white and black.
Edward Zigman – 2010
Officer/Civilian of the Year
Officer of the Year is awarded to an officer who has exhibited those qualities which best illustrate to other officers and to the public a high degree of professionalism. To receive the Officer of the Year award, an officer must have a better than average disciplinary record and be in the top 25% of the department productivity-wise. Only one Officer of the Year can be awarded and it will be awarded at the end of each year in the first month of the following year. Nominations for Officer of the Year may be made through the chain of command by any Police Department employee. All employees then vote for the honoree. The Officer of the Year Citation Bar will consist of red, white, and red stripes. If an officer were to receive the Officer of the Year award more than once he would wear a bar with clusters to designate multiple awards. All departmental winners since the inception of the award are listed.
Michael Toth – 2010
Scott Tkach – 2009
Patrick Radigan – 2008
Colleen Petro – 2007
Michael Bruening – 2006
Charles Cox – 2005
Tim Trask – 2004
Tim Nekic – 2003
John Diamond – 2002
Kenneth Zbiegien – 2001
Richard Gerber – 2000
Ronald Gunton – 1999
James Collier – 1998
Thomas Walsh – 1996
Michael Bruening – 1995
Kevin Knight – 1994
Gil Urcheck – 1993
Larry Fisher – 1992
Fred Fuldauer – 1991
Kathy Fellows – 1990
Daniel McPeek – 1989
Larry Fisher – 1988
Daniel McPeek – 1986
Ralph Zappola – 1985
James Watson – 1984
James Watson – 1983
Daniel Llewellyn – 1982
Civilian of the year is awarded to a civilian employee of the police department who serves in a non-sworn capacity, and has exhibited qualities which illustrate to other department members and the public, a high degree of professionalism. To receive this award, the employee must have a better than average disciplinary record, and have a satisfactory employee evaluation. Only one award per year will be awarded and it will coincide with the Officer of the Year award. Nominations for this award may be made by any police department employee, through their immediate supervisor and forward to the office of the Chief of Police. Employees vote for the winner. The civilian of the year award will consist of a framed certificate, a copy of which will be included in the employee’s personnel file.
William Gibb – 2010
Rosemary Jenkins – 2009
Mary Anderson – 2008
Ray Naro – 2007
Al Zenz – 2007
Suzy Sistek – 2006
Sue St. Hilaire – 2005
Joseph Samac – 2004
Fred Fuldauer – 2003
Educational Achievement
This award recognizes achievement of a degree in law enforcement or a related field. The Chief of Police will determine the applicability of a related field as qualifying for the award. The ribbon is awarded for an associate’s degree, a ribbon with one star for a bachelor’s degree, and ribbon with two stars for a master’s degree. The ribbon is red and white.
Safe Driving
Safe Driving Award is given for three (3) consecutive years without a chargeable accident. A chargeable accident will be interpreted as an accident where the officer contributed to the cause. The ribbon is red, white, and blue.
Good Conduct
Good Conduct Award will be given for three (3) consecutive years of good
conduct, during which time the officer may not receive any disciplinary action
including written reprimands. The award is a tri-sectioned white bar.
Jorge Medina Distinguished Service Award
This award is in addition to the above program and is bestowed on deserving public safety officers (police or fire) on an annual basis by the Lake County Blue Coats, Inc. The award is given for heroic acts or for programs which a member is involved in which considered to be of extreme benefit to the community. This award is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards given to Lake County Safety Forces on an annual basis, and is usually limited in the number given each year. Past honorees from the Mentor Police Department are:
Michael Bruening – 2008
Paul Fiorilli – 2008
Dan Shaw – 2004
Marilyn Satterfield – 1993
Fred Fuldauer – 1993
Leadele Reese – 1987
James Foster – 1985
Daniel Llewellyn – 1985
Ralph Zappola – 1983
Carl Janz – 1970
