Tyler Police Awards Banquet

TYLER — “They do such an outstanding job every day.” Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle used those opening words Friday night to describe his entire department. Still, it was an occasion to honor the cream of the crop as the department held its annual awards banquet at UT Tyler’s Ornelas Activity Center. Luis Aparicio was named Officer of the Year. Here’s a rundown of the other honors:

Master Award Winners:
Volunteer of the Year — Viola Aguirre
Civilian Employee of the Year — Sheila Creekmore
Civilian Supervisor of the Year — Amanda Cook
Rookie of the Year — Jamie Tarrant
Unit of the Year — Major Crimes Unit
Plainclothes Officer of the Year — Ken Gardner
Sworn Supervisor of the Year — Lt. Jimmy Toler

Tyler Patrolman’s Association Awards:
President’s Award — Dr. Stephen Rydzack
Excellence Award — Jon “Rex” Pitts

Citizens Certificate of Merit:
July 29, 2010 — Apprehension of theft suspect — Russell Lynn Godair
May 12, 2010 — Assistance to an elderly female being brutally beaten — Antone Lyons and Sara Pettigrew
July – December 2010 — Southside Bank, Alex Martin

Certificate of Excellence:
Sgt. Richard Drew
Det. Royce Jordan
Jennifer Roberts
Verna Parker
Kay Mullenax
Justin Bryant
Malloree Martin

Life Saving Award:
Sgt. Matt Leigeber
Sgt. Billy Yates
Det. Dennis Mathews
Det. Craig Shine
Det. Gregg Roberts
Det. Damon Swan
Sgt. Gary Rice

Police Commendation:
Off. Richard “Jude” Carpenter

In closing, Mayor Barbara Bass remarked that her longstanding admiration for the police department has grown since she became mayor — that “we have a tremendous police department.”