North Pole Police Department

09/03/2026

26-366 Pursuit and Theft of City Property
On 08/28/26 NPPD received a report of a highly intoxicated driver traveling North on the Richardson Hwy near Moose Creek. NPPD responded and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. After initially stopping the vehicle fled northbound on the Hwy at a high rate of speed initiating a pursuit. A second NPPD Officer responded to the median just north of the Flood Control bridge to set tire deflation spikes with the aim of preventing the intoxicated driver from entering the City of North Pole and placing citizens at risk. After setting the spikes the fleeing vehicle abruptly stopped near the Moose Creek bluff. This resulted in the first pursuing officer being forced into a high risk (felony-stop) situation with an uncooperative subject while alone. Hearing this on the radio the 2nd Officer made the decision to leave the location where he had set spikes to provide emergency backup. Part of this decision involved deciding whether to take the time to retrieve gear that had been displaced during the rapid spike deployment. All NPPD Officers are trained to follow the priorities of life during dynamic situations, which is to never prioritize property above people. The Officer made the correct decision, which was to prioritize the safety of others. The equipment was in the median for less than 10min before it was evidently stolen by a passing motorist. It has not been returned. The first time this incident was posted asking for public assistance we were inundated with rude comments and messages. As Chief I want the public to know, I stand by the decision our officer made and I am thankful we have a PD where our Officers prioritize the safety of citizens and other officers above property. If you have any helpful info on this stolen property please contact the station at 488-6902.

08/13/2026

Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this year’s Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony possible. 🇺🇸

From those who participated in the ceremony, volunteered their time, and supported us in so many other ways, we are truly grateful.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who came out to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

It takes a community coming together to make an event like this happen, and we are incredibly thankful for each and every person who played a part.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

Thank you all for helping us keep their memory alive. ❤️🤍💙

08/07/2026

Please join us this Saturday, August 8th at 11:00 AM at the Trooper Gabe Rich and Trooper Scott Johnson Memorial Park to honor the memories of the 17 Fallen Heroes already memorialized and the addition of the 3 U.S. Air Force Airmen being memorialized this year.

07/28/2026

It's official! Sgt. Pergande and K9 Yeti have passed K9 Handler School and start duty in the City of North Pole this week! NPPD could not have completed this project without some incredible community sponsors and support! In just over 5 months $52,000 was raised for the NPPD K9 program. We would like to give a public shoutout to the following donors:

F&D Ventures Inc.
Alaska Peace Officers Association - Farthest North Chapter
Walker Enterprises
Alaska Insulation & Coating Specialists, LLC.
Cold Spot - for Healthy Pets
Independent Rental
Expressway Auto Inc.
Pagoda Restaurant
Santa Claus House - North Pole, Alaska
North Pole Rotary Club
Polar Expresso 2
Kinross Alaska
Edstrom Construction Co, LLC
Alaska Stone & Precast, Inc.
North Pole Gravel Products
North Pole Alehouse
Margarita Bennet
Patricia Bodiker
Susan Slifer
John W. Tobin
Gail M. Chagnon
Vianne Smith
Katelynn Greenwood
Kalie Allison
Scotty Berg
Tara Gregory
Mavis Kohn
Augustus McCray
Terri Berrie
Kyle Carrington

07/23/2026

We would like to extend an invitation to attend the Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony Saturday, August 8th, at the Trooper Gabe Rich and Trooper Scott Johnson Memorial Park. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 am.

The City of North Pole maintains the Trooper Gabe Rich and Trooper Scott Johnson Memorial Park. The park honors Borough residents that lost their lives while performing their official duties serving their country, state, or municipality. The initial dedication took place on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, at 2870 Doughchee Avenue in North Pole, the site of the park.

The City of North Pole initiated the effort to create the Memorial Park after the murder of Troopers Rich and Johnson. Trooper Rich was formerly a North Pole police officer. The effort grew to recognize Borough residents employed in the public sector that lost their life while serving their country, state, or municipality. The effort also expanded to be a partnership with the City of Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska Police Officer Association, Interior Fire Chiefs Association, United States Armed Services and community groups.

Each year we host a memorial ceremony for the purpose of remembering and honoring the Fallen Heroes memorialized on the wall so that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. We also add new members to the wall as we get applications. We currently have 17 Fallen Heroes memorialized, including 3 Alaska State Troopers, 2 Fairbanks Police Department Officers, 1 United States Air Force Airman, 7 United States Army Soldiers, 2 United States Marine Corps Marines, 1 Esther Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter and 1 University of Alaska Fairbanks Firefighter.

This year we are adding the names of three Eielson Air Force Base Airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty: Captain Harvey Tilton, Corporal Glen E. Mellon, and Task Sergeant Charles Heckman. Cpt. Tilton and Cpl. Mellon were killed in the 1952 C-47 crash that also claimed the life of Capt. Ernie Walker, for whom the Eielson Air Force Base theater is named. TSgt Heckman was killed in a 1964 aircraft accident.

06/17/2026

Sgt. Pergande has officially begun a Training Academy in Ohio with NPPD’s newest Officer. We are excited to introduce K9 Yeti! Yeti is a 18mo old shepherd/malinois mix that was born in Europe. He comes to us with much of his training already complete. Over the next five weeks he will work extensively with his handler to fine tune his tracking and drug detection abilities before going in-service at NPPD later this summer. K9 Yeti could not have been acquired without the many generous donations by community members, groups and businesses in North Pole and Fairbanks! Stay tuned for future updates and a shout out to our donors! Midwest Working Dogs

05/31/2026

***Update***

The bike has been recovered and returned to the owner.

Case #26-321

The North Pole Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying this individual involved in a theft of a bicycle. Any information please contact Corporal Koerner [email protected]

05/16/2026

NPPD was honored to participate alongside many athletes from the Tanana Valley Special Olympics today in the Annual LEO Torch Run. We are thankful for the opportunity and excited to support this worthy event!

05/13/2026

There’s still time to sign up before this Saturday to support Special Olympics Alaska, Tanana Valley Community! We’d love to see you all there!

Join Team NPPD to support Special Olympics Alaska, Tanana Valley Community by participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Saturday, May 16th at 10:00 AM at the Chena Lakes Recreation Area!

Sign up here!➡️ https://p2p.onecause.com/2026letrak/team/north-pole-police-department

The Law Enforcement Torch Run & Pledge Drive is an inspiring event that unites communities across Alaska to support Special Olympics athletes. By lacing up your sneakers and joining local law enforcement and community members, you can play a vital role in raising funds that directly benefit Special Olympics Alaska programs. These programs provide invaluable opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience camaraderie.

Hope to see you there!