CHAMPS Award - August 2000 Recipients Second District Sixth District Second District Sergeant Regina Funk Detective Pete Bignotti Officer James Crouch Officer David Santiago Officer Angel Rivera Robert Chagnon Officer Jeff Cadle On June 1, 2000, between 11:30 and 11:50 pm, two armed robberies occurred in PSA 206, involving subjects who were armed with handguns. As the Georgetown Summer Detail was in operation, officers arrived promptly on the scene of the incident and immediately broadcast lookouts to the units in the field. Upon learning that the suspects were last seen fleeing westbound on the C & O Canal, a three-block perimeter was established, and saturation search was conducted. During canvassing of the canal, Officers James Crouch, David Santiago, and Angel Rivera observed two of the three suspects hiding under a vehicle and then instantaneously attempted to flee. One of the suspect was apprehended on the canal, while the second surrendered when the K-9 Unit of Sergeant Ginger and Officer Muzzatti released their dogs that tracked down the suspect. A handgun was later recovered from the vicinity where the suspects were hiding. At 0030 hours, Sergeant Regina Funk, Officer Robert Chagnon and Officer Jeff Cadle observed a third subject matching the lookout at Thomas Jefferson Street along the canal. They were in plain clothes at the time and they were able to inconspicuously approach the suspect and affect a stop with out incident. All three suspects were transported to Thomas Jefferson and K Street, where Detective Pete Bignotti coordinated a show-up. After securing positive Identification from the four complainants, the suspects were taken to the Second District and were charge with armed robbery. A search after the arrest also revealed that one of the suspects was in possession of a credit card obtained in the robbery. A subsequent debriefing also implicated these suspects with other armed robberies in the District of Columbia and the metropolitan area. Because of the outstanding efforts of these officers and officials, three dangerous robbers were removed from the streets of Washington, DC, as well as a handgun. All the officers and officials who performed this outstanding police work are worthy of commendation for their professionalism and excellent performance of duty and skillful police teamwork. Sixth District Officer LaTonya Latson Officer Wayne Parker Officer Gary Royal, Departmental Officer of the Month On June 15, 2000, at approximately 3:58 am, Officer Wayne Parker and LaTonya Latson were assigned to Cruiser No. 6082. While on routine patrol in the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, Officers Parker and Latson were stopped by a citizen. The citizen reported that a subject wearing an orange/reddish shirt and black pants was attempting to break into one of the stores in the Green Way Shopping Center area. Officers Parker and Latson then began to canvass the area of the shopping center. The officers observed a subject matching the description attempting to break into a store. The subject was attempting to pry open the front door of the store with a crowbar. When he saw the officers, the subject fled, and a brief foot chase ensued. A lookout was given to assisting units. Officer Royal monitored the lookout and responded to assist and immediately found the suspect and apprehended him at 35th and Clay Street, NE. The suspect was positively identified by Officers Parker and Latson as the subject they observed breaking into the store. The suspect was identified. A WALES check revealed that he had outstanding warrants in Virginia and Washington, DC. The suspect was placed under arrest and charged with Attempted Burglary II, Parole Violation, and Fugitive from Justice. In the past couple of weeks, there were several burglaries to businesses along the Minnesota Avenue corridor. All burglaries were entered through the front of the store. As result of this arrest, several burglaries will possibly be closed. The excellent display of teamwork, communication, and persistent pursuit is an exemplary police work and a credit to the members and the department. These officers are ought to be commended for outstandingly executing their police duty and display of excellent police work. Officer Wayne Parker Officer Jeffrey Melvin On Saturday, June 17, 2000, approximately 4:36 am, Officer Wayne Parker and Officer Jeffrey Melvin received an assignment to investigate the trouble at 2230 Prout Street, SE. Once on the scene, Officers Parker and Melvin were confronted with two hysterical parents and grandparents, who were attempting to revive their unconscious ten-month-old infant, who had no pulse or heartbeat. Despite the chaotic situation, both officers immediately began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the infant. Officer Melvin applied chest compression while Officer Parker assisted with two breaths of air into the infant's lung. Shortly thereafter, the infant regained consciousness and was transported to DC General Hospital where he was admitted. The Hospitals medical staff later determined that the infant was suffering from an ear infection, which led him to have a seizure. After evaluating the family's crisis, Officers Parker and Melvin made a quick decision to perform CPR and saved the life of the infant. Officers Wayne Parker and Jeffrey Melvin displayed a willingness to assist distraught parents and reacted quickly to the crisis that was emerging in front of them in a very admirable manner. They not only touched the life of the family forever, they also displayed the professionalism and outstanding performance of police duty.