Kansas City Police Department: Courageous Officers, Dedicated Employees Receive Award

Kansas City MO

09 December, 2021

10:55 AM

Description

Press release from Kansas City Police Department: 12/08/2021 Dozens of KCPD officers and employees received awards on Dec. 7, 2021, recognizing their courageous and dedicated acts of service. Among the recipients was Officer Blaine Kennedy, who received the Distinguished Service Medal and Purple Heart Award. On June 3, 2020, a man that Officer Kennedy was trying to help stabbed the officer in the chest. Though critically injured, Officer Kennedy willed himself to stand up, chase down the suspect, and hold him at gunpoint until other officers arrived. Officer Noah Stigall also received the Distinguished Service Medal. On Dec. 18, 2020, Officer Stigall was off-duty and driving home from work when he came upon a house that was on fire. Officer Stigall rushed into the burning home and rescued a brother and sister. Various officers (see below) received awards for saving the lives of Kansas City residents. Additionally, a helicopter crew was honored for tracking down a homicide suspect, landing in an unexpected spot, and chasing down the suspect on foot. Employees who dedicated themselves to improving KCPD's services also received recognition. The awards ceremony took place at the Regional Police Academy. Here is a list of award recipients: Certificate of Appreciation Ron Harvey Mike Smith Life-Saving Award Detective Danielle Kincaid Sergeant Justin Pinkerton Officer Marc Canovi Officer Michael Schneider and Officer Kirby Urbanek Officer Jeremy Chick and Officer Dillon Viet Officer Cole Modeer Officer Mark Diviak and Officer Alayna Gonzalez Special Unit Citation Communications Unit Traffic Investigations Unit East Patrol Division 310 Sector Watch IIIA Meritorious Service Award Retired Supervisor Mike Russell Captain William Hewitt Civilian Kyle Wadlow and Retired Civilian Deborah Yelverton Officer Scott Brulja and Officer Bradley Rains Certificate of Commendation Sergeant Billy Dotson Officer Matthew Francois, Officer Brandon Sherman and Officer Alexander Votaw Officer Joseph Chabot and Officer Darin Lutz Distinguished Service Medal Officer Noah Stigall Distinguished Service Medal and Purple Heart Award Officer Blaine Kennedy This press release was produced by Kansas City Police Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.