May 2013Police Week Edition

A Newsletter of theMetropolitan Police Department,City of St. Louis

METRO

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The white table cloth symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their Department’s every call.

The red rose is for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These officers gave their lives so that others could live.

The white rose is for those who witnessed and experienced tragedy and destruction firsthand, and are still with us today.

A slice of lemon is on the plate to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt on the plate, symbolic of the tears shed by friends and family.

The glass is inverted because they cannot toast with us.

The chair is empty; they are not here, but we will never forget them.

This year’s Memorial Breakfast was held on May 22 and was, once again, a moving tribute to the 164 SLMPD officers who lost their lives in the

line of duty. In its 27th year, the Memorial Breakfast attracted more families of fallen officers than ever before, and more than 1,000 people were in at-tendance. Chief Dotson gave opening remarks and Mayor Slay served as a keynote speaker. As a special presentation, Jim Schroba, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, presented the Department with a memorial flag in honor of Task Force Officer Steven Strehl, who lost his life in 1993. The Memorial Breakfast concluded with a photo slideshow and a roll call of the 164 fallen officers. These officers are our heroes.

“Each day when an officer leaves his or her home and their family to protect and serve the citizens of St. Louis, they risk their lives for the safety and well-being of fellow citizens, most of whom they will never meet. This exemplifies a true hero.”

-An excerpt from Chief Dotson’s remarks

Remembering Our Heroes

Memorial Breakfast Fallen Officer Table

History of Police Week

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy recognized the countless and selfless acts peace officers perform daily by signing a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Every year, that date

coincides with National Police Week held in Washington, D.C. with a series of events held in remembrance of officers killed in the line of duty. The event attracts around 40,000 law enforcement officers and survivor fami-lies. Much of the week centers on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington, D.C., which features the names of more than 19,000 law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

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26th Annual Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Jefferson City

SLMPD Memorial Breakfast

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Officer Awards

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri honored the SLMPD as a community partner

at their “Big Event” special dinner and awards pro-gram. The Department shared the spotlight with 58 graduating Little Brothers and Little Sisters and was inducted into the agency’s Hall of Fame. During the induction ceremony, BBBSEMO President/CEO Becky James-Hatter thanked the St. Louis Metro-politan Police Department for its commitment to the agency and commended programs such as Bigs in Blue and Cops 4 Kids, Patrolling for Presents.

Congratulations to P.O. Kelli Swinton of the Seventh District for being the recipient of the annual St. Lou-is Rotary Club

Police Officer Achievement Award! P.O. Swinton was recognized for her dedication and professional attitude. Great job Officer!

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to Sgt. Dimitrios Aslan, P.O. Alan Hutchcraft and P.O. John Posey of the First District for receiving the annual John T. McAtee

Award at the Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri Luncheon! The three were recognized for assisting a resident in crisis and were commended for handling the incident with patience and compassion!

P.P.O. Alfred Allmon

P.P.O. Dennis Banks

P.P.O. Candra Burnett

P.P.O. Joshua Chappeau

P.P.O. Michael Cheli

P.P.O. Ross Devereux

P.P.O. John Floyd

P.P.O. Christopher Franklin

P.P.O. Deanna Jenkins

P.P.O. Michael Joyner

P.P.O. Ryan Kotaska

P.P.O. Justin Lotts

P.P.O. Kevin Malone

P.P.O. Miranda McElrath

P.P.O. Nicholas Muehlheausler

P.P.O. Courtney Nash

P.P.O. Stephen Ogunjobi

P.P.O. Christina Powderly

P.P.O. Samuel Rachas

P.P.O. Colin Regan

P.P.O. Cornell Robinson

P.P.O. Joseph Sasenger

P.P.O. Michael Simpson

P.P.O. Kelly Smith

P.P.O. Nhongshack Vorachack

P.P.O. Matthew Watson

SLMPD Big Brothers & Big Sisters

We are proud to welcome our 26 new officers, Recruit Class 2012-01. Congratulations on your graduation!

Recruit Graduation

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On May 23, a team comprised of Department employees and friends participated in the Statewide Law Enforcement Torch

Run for Special Olympics Missouri. Starting at South Patrol, they ran approximately 3 miles for the central county leg of the run be-fore passing the torch on to the next team. Running along side of them was Alex, a Special Olympics athlete and a great friend of the Department’s. Alex has participated in the Torch Run with our of-ficers for the past 4 years and also enjoys competing in the Special Olympic Games in the categories of basketball, track and bowling. The Torch Run not only kicks off the 2013 Special Olympics State Summer Games, it also raises awareness and funds for more than 16,700 Special Olympics athletes across the state!

Torch Run

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June 5 (Wednesday)Mammography Van Screenings

8:20am-3:30pm St. Louis Police Academy Schedule an appointment: (314)747-7222 or (800) 600-3603 Contact the Fitness Center with additional questions

June 14 (Friday)River City Rumble

7:00pm St. Charles Family Arena To benefit BackStoppers & Responder Rescue Free tickets available at familyarena.com

June 14 (Friday)7th District Golf Tournament

Registration begins 7:30am Forest Park Golf Course $90 a person Contact: P.O. Pat Clancy 444-0047

June 15 (Saturday)

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Meet at Fitness Center 6am Race Starts 6:30am

June 21-23 (Friday-Sunday)

Rollin’ for BackStoppers Weekend

Friday - Gala, 8pm-1amThe Coliseum 2619 Washington Avenue Tickets: $20

Saturday-Skating, 9pm-1amSkate King 6100 Natural Bridge Rd. Tickets: $10

Sunday-Roll of RemembranceMotorcycle Ride, Registration 9am Begins at Skate King $25 rider, $15 passenger Call 314-996-4182 for more info

Calendar of Events

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes asks men to walk - literally - one mile in women’s high heeled-shoes to

STOP SEXUAL VIOLENCEOn June 8, SLMPD team members will take a stand

against sexual violence. Support Chief Dotson & SLMPD’s Team

Saturday, June 8, 9:00 am Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Avenue

Promoting Safety to our Citizens

Club Sales are a great way to pro-mote safety to our citizens and encourage them to stop crime BE-FORE it happens! The First District held a club sale on May 11 at the L o u g h b o r o u g h Schnucks and of-fered car clubs at a

discounted rate and free gun locks. Also, on May 21, Central Patrol held a car club and anti-theft de-vice sale and had citizens lined up at the door to make their purchases! Great job officers!