This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Awards for Top Cops, Firefighters and Safety Stars

At the 23rd annual public safety dinner and awards ceremony, top safety officials get high praise.

Four police officers, three firefighters, and one public works employee earned awards at the 23rd annual public safety dinner and awards ceremony sponsored by , on Friday evening.

Chief James R. Craze announced that this year's Greenbelt Officer of the Year was Gordon Rose, saying that his prolific tactics have led to the apprehension of robbers, attempted rapists, fugitives, drug dealers, murderers, attempted murderers, carjackers, jaywalkers, and an assortment of other law breakers.

Rose has also been recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers for leading the Department in DWI/DUI arrests. He is so well-known in the criminal community that he has been given his own moniker by the folks that he deals with on the streets—"Sticks."

Find out what's happening in Greenbeltwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Gordon has been chosen our Officer of the Year for achievements far removed from his ability to pound the beat," Craze added, saying that Gordon acquired and implemented a license plate reader program, a LoJack stolen vehicle tracking system, and an electronic citation project.

Craze also presented two "Chief's Special Awards"—one to Officer John "Mike" Dewey for lending his computer expertise when Greenbelt became the first municipality to join a statewide license plate reader program. Lt. Jim Parker also won for selection, acquisition, and implementation of a state-of-the-art radio system that Craze said allows officers to communicate with 160 police departments in the National Capital Region.

Find out what's happening in Greenbeltwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Firefighters Have Our Backs

Brian Rudy, assistant chief of the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, announced the selection of Adam Anthony-Pyndell as a Greenbelt Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. He cited Anthony-Pyndell's saving a man's life, who suffered cardiac arrest in an office building elevator.

Rudy also honored Emily Wasil as Volunteer EMS (Emergency Medical Services) of the Year. Mayor Davis said that Wasil's earning a paramedic certification provides advanced life support to Greenbelt, noting that Wasil did this while also studying for a bachelor's degree in emergency health care.

When Michael Jawer came up to receive his Employee of the Year award, Davis noted the furor that arose after rumors surfaced of budget cuts that threatened to eliminate Jawer's task of keeping Roosevelt Center clean. She said the City heard from a lot of citizens, receiving a lot of e-mails and letters.

Joe Williams, chairman of the Legion Post 136 public safety committee and master of ceremonies for the event, told Patch that this was the second year that public safety employees were included in the ceremony.

He said the federal government decided two years ago that public works employees were public safety workers because they clear streets of snow and fallen trees that block the passage of emergency vehicles.

U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers presented the U.S. Park Police Officer of the Year award to David Lemond for his work with statistics and his service as a field training officer, as well as his overall performance as a police officer.

Berwyn Heights Fire Chief Chuck Fusco presented a Firefighter of the Year Award to Lt. Ben Ross for his aid in a tragic car accident on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

Fusco said an SUV with seven people rolled over several times and struck a large tree. Ross quickly noticed an empty infant seat, leading to a frantic search of heavy brush with thermal imagers and rescuers hands until they found the 3-month-old baby, according to Fusco. Unfortunately, the baby and two other people died, but four survived, Fusco shared.

When he called for anyone that was at the accident scene to stand, Greenbelt police officer Kelly Lawson, who is also a Greenbelt volunteer firefighter, and others stood up.

At the ceremony, Mayor Judith "J" Davis noted that the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department firefighters had to leave their food and drinks three times during dinner to respond to emergency calls.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Greenbelt