Citizens Appreciate Police - CAP

04/14/2023

Congratulations!

CITIZENS APPRECIATE POLICE

Earlier this week, six of your Denver Police Department’s finest were recognized by the Citizen’s Appreciate Police organization (CAP). Formed in 1978, CAP is a nonprofit organization that recognizes officers who serve the public outside of their regular call of duty. Since its inception, CAP has honored more than 530 officers. Now, amongst those recipients are Officers Johnna Anthony, Adam Tanvas, David Briggs, Joseph Zahradnik, Kevan Tisby and Jon Udland!

• On August 22, 2022, District Six Officers Tanvas, Briggs, Anthony, and Zahradnik
responded to the shooting of a 14-year-old male. In addition to actions taken at the scene, the officers became aware that this 14-year-old victim had a Christmas wish for a Nintendo Switch. The officers purchased the Nintendo Switch and presented it to the victim, providing light during a dark time. These and other DPD District 6 officers have befriended the family and been a source of support for them.

• During the course of their work, District Six Officers Tisby and Udland met a man named James who was experiencing homelessness and who wanted to travel to California to be with his family. The officers contacted a DPD Outreach Case Coordinator on behalf of James and found assistance for a bus ticket to California. Despite James not having a phone, Officer Tisby managed to stay in contact with him. Officers Tisby and Udland then helped James take care of his travel paperwork and took him to get some snacks for the trip, as well as buying gift cards so James could purchase more food during the trip. Lastly, they took him to the bus station where James boarded the bus to return to his family in time for the holidays.

All of these officers went above and beyond the call of duty, and we couldn’t be more pleased to call them Denver Police Officers!

01/13/2023

Congratulations to Officer Melissa Martin!

On December 31, 2021, Officer Melissa Martin responded to a noise complaint that resulted in a welfare check. She made contact and spoke with a woman who looked very sickly and pale. The woman told Officer Martin that she recently left an abusive relationship with her boyfriend and that she also suffers from mental illness and is trying to cope with her substance abuse. She also told Officer Martin that she had no food and had not eaten in four to five days. When Officer Martin checked the refrigerator, it was completely empty, so Officer Martin purchased food for the week using her own funds, and delivered the groceries to the woman. Officer Martin’s generosity and kindness went above and beyond the call of duty for someone in need. She is an excellent example of professionalism and demonstrated her commitment to the community she serves.

Formed in 1978 by Mayor Bill McNichols and District Attorney Dale Tooley, CAP is a nonprofit organization that recognizes Denver police officers that serve the public above the regular call of duty. Since its inception, more than 400 officers have received the CAP award. Please join us in congratulating this very worthy addition to this group!

Photo credit: Denver Police Department

04/18/2022

FOUR OF DENVER'S FINEST TAKE HOME CAP AWARDS

Last Wednesday, the nonprofit organization, Citizens Appreciate Police (CAP) recognized six Denver Police officers who demonstrated extraordinary kindness and compassion in helping people in our community. Formed in 1978 by Mayor Bill McNichols and District Attorney Dale Tooley, CAP is a nonprofit organization that recognizes Denver Police officers who serve the public above the regular call of duty. Since its inception, more than 400 officers have received the CAP award.

The CAP Award honorees include:

• Officers Maria Zavala and Nicholas Randolph – Denver Police Airport Division

On September 21, 2020, Officer Zavala encountered a person who lost all his personal items while waiting at Denver International Airport for a flight. Officer Zavala learned that the man had caused a disturbance at a restaurant, was unaware of where his personal items were and had
missed his connecting flight. Officer Zavala worked with him and the gate agent to find another flight for the man, but unfortunately, the airline would not have a flight out of Denver for a few days. Officer Zavala contacted the man’s family, who were out of state, to explain the situation and that their loved one would be home in a few days. However, the man, who suffered from mental illness, continued to cause disturbances. That is when Officer Randolph also stepped up. He identified at a shelter that could provide him a place to stay, and not only transported him there, but also bought him some food. Together the officers kept the family apprised of his whereabouts and assisted them when they came to town to help their loved one.

• Detective Rueban Garduño – Denver Police S*x Crimes Unit

While working off-duty at Red Rocks Amphitheater in the summer of 2021, Detective Garduño was alerted that the vehicle used by some concession volunteers to get to the event would not start. Detective Garduño not only tried to assist with the car troubles, which was unsuccessful, but continued to check on the volunteers while conducting his other assigned duties for the night. It became evident that the vehicle was not going to start, so Detective Garduño offered to drive them home – which was a significant distance away. After receiving permission, he did just that, and in the words of those he helped, “The Denver Police Department is lucky to have him, and we were lucky enough to be blessed by him that evening.”

• Officer Sean Kelly – Denver Police District Three

This story starts back in 2018 when Officer Kelly was volunteering at the Children’s Hospital. There he met and connected with a young patient who was about to undergo major surgery. Officer Kelly made an impact with her that day and continued to keep in contact with the family throughout the years to the point that the girl wanted to invite him to her birthday party in 2021 with the theme of police and firefighters. During his personal time, Officer Kelly reached out to the law enforcement agencies where the now teenager lived and arranged for first responders to participate in a birthday parade. Additionally, he made sure to attend the festivities himself and completed the birthday surprise. Talk about making a difference!

02/17/2022

Today’s CAP Award honorees are:

Officers Andrew Lombardi and Taylor Eliassen – In January of 2021, Officers Lombardi and Eliassen contacted a family who were sleeping in their car. The mother and her four children had fallen on hard times but were waiting for the mom’s next payroll check so they could rent a room. The officers worked with the hotel for a discounted rate, which the officers paid, so the family had somewhere to sleep. The officer-duo then pooled their money to buy the family some food. The mom wrote a kind letter about the officers, which included a message that one of the kids said the officers were “cooler than Spider-Man”.

Officer Nichole Himes – In May of 2021, Officer Himes responded to a call about a man needing assistance. Officer Himes learned that an 82-year-old man was struggling with his bicycle lock. Officer Himes assisted with unlocking the bike and then helped transport the man and his bicycle home. After successfully locating the residence, Officer Himes learned that the man was suffering from dementia and it was worsening. In an effort to help both the man and his wife, Officer Himes ordered a special bracelet for the man to help in similar situations – should they arise in the future.

Officers Jason Sykora and Zackary Kennedy – On June 13, 2021, Officers Sykora and Kennedy went to a residence on West Rutgers Place on a call. There they found a wheelchair bound lady who was in need of assistance. The officers learned that she was struggling to take care of herself – especially daily duties. The officers contacted EMS to have her transported to the hospital for evaluation and used the time she was in the hospital to make a real difference. The officers loaded all the dirty clothes they could find, which filled a large police SUV, and paid to have the clothes laundered with their own money. The laundry was enough to fill four oversized industrial machines. The officers then returned the clean clothes to the resident.

Corporal Ernest Quintana – During Corporal Quintana’s shift on June 19, 2021, he was dispatched to a report of a person breaking out the window of a car. The suspect had fled, but a victim remained – the car owner, an 82-year-old lady on a fixed budget who had no means to pay for the damage. Corporal Quintana had the car transported to District Six for safe keeping while the Corporal used his own money to have the window fixed.

02/17/2022

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2022/02/16/denver-police-citizens-appreciate-police/

Six Denver police officers were honored for acts of kindness and for showing compassion to members of their community.

02/17/2022

https://kdvr.com/news/support-the-shield/denver-police-officers-recognized-for-acts-of-kindness/

Six Denver police officers were recognized by “Citizens Appreciate Police” for going above and beyond the call of duty to help community members.

02/17/2022

https://denvergazette.com/news/public-safety/denver-officers-receive-citizens-appreciate-police-award/article_04bb696c-8f60-11ec-b566-4bb04c0b5918.html

A local nonprofit on Wednesday honored six Denver police officers with the "Citizens Appreciate Police" Award for their acts of kindness and compassion in their community.

08/18/2021

Police Chief Paul Pazen spoke about what it means to hear these positive stories of officers kind deeds. Thank you Chief Pazen!

08/18/2021

In November of 2020, Officer Chanee Christian responded to the area of W. 43rd Ave. and Umatilla St. to check on a 93-year-old woman who was being scammed out of her money. Officer Christian learned that the woman was sending money to a person who claimed to be a sweepstakes employee and requested money so that they could issue the woman the car she “won”. This information sounded suspicious to the officer who went out of her way to contact the taxi company that drove the woman to the location at which she was mailing the money. Officer Christian then went to the location and worked with the manager to retrieve the latest money shipment, which was returned to the lady. Going a step further, Officer Christian used her own funds to purchase a week’s worth of groceries for the senior citizen.

Congratulations Officer Christian!!

08/18/2021

On January 3, 2021, Officer Jacob Sanders went to the Windsor Gardens apartments on a welfare call. There he met an 86-year-old woman who was experiencing difficulties due to the pandemic and was struggling to take care of herself and her husband who was suffering from dementia. Not only was there no food for the couple, but there was also no food for their dog. With compassion and own his money, Officer Sanders drove to the grocery store and purchased a list full of food for the people and the pup. He returned and unloaded the groceries, ensuring everyone had food for at least a week. Thank you Officer Sanders!
📸: Denver Police Department

08/18/2021

In October of 2020, Corporal Andrew Gathje responded to a call of a resident whose wallet was stolen. Corporal Gathje learned that not only was the man’s money stolen, but that he’d also lost his social security card, ID, and debit card. The 90-year-old man was no longer receiving his social security benefits because of the missing cards tied to his benefits. Corporal Gathje built up a relationship with the resident and connected him with the District Four Outreach Case Coordinator who was able to help the resident obtain new documentation so that he could begin receiving his money again.

A few months later, Officer Alicia Martinez returned to the man’s residence on a welfare check. There she noticed that his heat wasn’t working in the dead of winter. Officer Martinez worked to locate the landlord to see what the problem was. She even went as far as to contact a HVAC company who went and assessed the heater, which was found to have numerous leaks and was too old to repair. Thanks to Corporal Gathje and Officer Martinez’s commitment to those they serve, the resident is now in a much better living situation, at an assisted living facility.

Thank you for all you do!!
📸: Denver Police Department

08/18/2021

On March 11, 2021, Officer Renzo Linan responded to a welfare check for an at-risk adult. The 90-year-old resident was declining in health and unable to administer her own medications. Officer Linan learned that the lady was very low on food and reached out to her nurse who was unavailable. To ensure the lady had enough food until the nurse’s next visit, Officer Linan purchased groceries with his own money for the lady and ensured her heat was working properly – as there was a blizzard predicted in the coming days. Thank you Officer Limon!
📸: Denver Police Department