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.
- Daniel Shaw – 2016
- 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
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.
- Kevin Hatch – 2018
- Christian Lawrence – 2017
- Timothy Abbott – 2016
- Ryan Heramb – 2015
- Donald Swindell – 2015
- Richard Gerber – 2014
- Raymond O’Brien – 2010, 2014
- Michael Bruening – 2006, 2014
- Richard Radtkin – 2012
- Ryan Heramb – 2006
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/orange in color.
- Michael Danzey – 2019
- Matthew Jacob – 2019
- Daniel Shaw – 2017
- Tori Hendricks – 2016
- Dennis Collins – 2015
- Dawn Osewalt – 2014
- Bryan Wayne – 2014
- Jeffrey Greco – 2013
- Jonathan Smelcer – 2013
- Donald Swindell -2013
- Jeffrey Vilk – 2012
- Scott Bell – 2009
- Curt Davis – 2009
- Richard Gerber – 2009
- Kenneth Gunsch – 2009
- Andrew Lehner – 2009
- Jonathan Miller – 2009
- Daniel Molnar – 2009
- Christopher Pattie – 2009 (2 awards)
- Dustin Richards – 2009
- Suzanne Sistek – 2009
- Jonathan Smelcer – 2009
- Mark Stansbury – 2009
- Phillip Croucher – 2008
- Michael Majernik – 2008
- Colleen Petro – 2008
- Marilyn Satterfield – 2008
- Conrad Straube – 2008
- Michael Toth – 2008
- Kenneth Willis – 2008
- Michael Bruening – 2006 (2 awards)
- Ryan Heramb – 2006 (2 awards)
- David Paulchel – 2006, 2008
- Kenneth Zbiegien – 2006
- Richard Slovenkay – 2005, 2009
- James Collier – 2004, 2007
- John Vecchione – 2004
- Jeffrey Greco – 2002
- Christopher Ivanovics – 2002
- Michael Kloski – 2002, 2018
- Scott Tkach – 2002
- Robert Valley – 2002, 2008
- Michael Majernik – 2000
- Timothy Allen – 1998
- Ronald Gunton – 1996
- Patrick Reilly – 1996
- Edward Zigman – 1996, 1998, 2004
- Jack Donahue – 1991
- Timothy Abbott – 1988, 2016
- Larry Fisher – 1987, 1996
- John Jaros – 1984, 1987
- Daniel Llewellyn – 1984, 1987
- Tom Powers – 1984
- Jeffrey Reese – 1983, 1987, 1994, 2010
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.
- Michael Malainy – 2018
- Steven Ondercin – 2018
- Brian Vernick – 2018
- Paul Balongie – 2017
- Michael Danzey – 2016
- Joseph Sutton – 2016
- William Mackey – 2016
- Michael Bruening – 2016
- Ryan Butler – 2016
- Matthew Alvord – 2016
- Michael Fuduric – 2016
- Richard Slovenkay –2015
- Jon Miller – 2015
- James Covell – 2013
- Erik Kupchik – 2013
- Ryan Heramb – 2013
- Donald Swindell – 2013
- Michael Bruening – 2012
- Daniel Radigan – 2012
- Colleen Petro – 2011
- Edward Zigman – 2010
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 each year and it is awarded 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.
- Kevin Hatch – 2019
- Steven Ondercin – 2018
- Brian Vernick – 2016
- Ken Willis – 2015
- Ryan Heramb – 2014
- Don Swindell – 2013
- Tom Powers – 2012
- Daniel Molnar – 2011
- Michael Toth – 2010
- Scott Tkach – 2009
- Patrick Radigan – 2008
- Colleen Petro – 2007
- Michael Bruening – 1995, 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, 2017
- Thomas Walsh – 1996
- Kevin Knight – 1994
- Gil Urcheck – 1993
- Larry Fisher – 1988, 1992
- Fred Fuldauer – 1991
- Kathy Fellows – 1990
- Daniel McPeek – 1986, 1989
- Ralph Zappola – 1985
- James Watson – 1983, 1984
- 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.
- Libby Stanton – 2018, 2019
- Karen Brooks – 2017
- Rob Rodriguez – 2016
- Linda Hulderman – 2015
- Al Zenz – 2007, 2013
- Linda Hulderman – 2011, 2012
- William Gibb – 2010
- Rosemary Jenkins – 2009, 2014
- Mary Anderson – 2008
- Ray Naro – 2007
- Suzy Sistek – 2006
- Sue St. Hilaire – 2005
- Joseph Samac – 2004
- Fred Fuldauer – 2003
- 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
On occasion service organizations will award officers with a special commendation. These officers then attend an awards ceremony for that organization.
Knights of Columbus – Blue Coat Award
Ptl. Colleen Petro – 2017
Lt. Daniel Molnar – 2015
Chief Kevin Knight – 2012
Terrorism Liaison Officer of the Year Award
Sgt. Richard Slovenkay – 2012
VFW Post 9295 Police Officer of the Year
Ptl. Richard Gerber – 2016