Officers Recognized for Crime Solving Skills

(Proxmire ~ 1/1/2011)

Several Ferndale Police Officers received commendations and citations for service at the Dec. 28, 2010 City Council meeting in relation to shooting incident in November.  Sergeant Brown wrote up the Award Recommendation, which Chief Timothy Collins read at Council.

In the words of Sergeant Brown:

“On November 20, 2010 at approximately 2125 hours a Ferndale resident was returning home from the store.  As he approached his Pearson residence, two young men walking in the opposite direction confronted him.  One of the subjects pulled out a loaded .45 caliber handgun and pointed it at his head, firing a single shot that left stippling on the left side of his face.  The other suspect picked up the 12 pack of beer the victim dropped and both suspects fled on foot towards Woodward Ave.  The victim called FPD and gave a description of the suspects which was broadcast to all Ferndale cars.

An area check was conducted and Ofc. Cleveland located two suspects matching the description near Woodward and West Marshall.  Ofc. Cleveland confronted the young men; one of whom immediately surrendered and the other fled from him on foot.  Ofc. Spellman saw the subject running from the scene and began chasing him.  During the foot chase Ofc. Spellman saw the suspect drop a handgun in some bushes.  Ofc. Spellman chased the suspect several blocks, eventually locating him in the dumpster behind the Woodward Ave. Subway Restaurant, assisted by Ofc. Collett and Dep. Marzban.

Ofc. Frazier made contact with the victim at the scene of the crime and obtained essential information that aided in the arrest of the suspects.

Ofc. Collett and Ofc. Cleveland performed evidence processing over consecutive shifts that resulted in the collection of evidence that directly tied the suspects to the crime.

Dep. Marzban located the shell casing of the round fired by one of the suspects after a diligent and systematic search.  Dep. Marzban and Dep. Murray also secured our crime scene on Pearson so that FPD officers could properly process the scene of arrest and first contact with the suspects, and collect evidence that was left over a several block area.

Lt. Whiting, Disp. McDonald and Cadet Cordova provided accurate and timely dispatch information and coordinated police response that directly led to the arrest of the suspects.

Lt. Whiting and Ofc. Spellman were able to obtain a confession from one of the suspects as well as statement describing how his accomplice shot at the victim.

Ofc. Spellman and Ofc. Cleveland demonstrated an exceptional use of tactics and skill in apprehending these suspects.  Both officers put their safety in extreme jeopardy in the apprehension of tow dangerous, armed and determined criminals.  All officers involved acted in a professional and team oriented manner that directly led to the capture of these dangerous suspects who showed a willingness to kill.”

Each of the Police Department personnel mentioned received a commendation for their work, except for Ofc. Spellman and Ofc. Cleveland who received Departmental Citations, an even higher honor.  They were given certificates at the Council Meeting, applause by the residents looking on, and a thank you from the victim who was sitting in the audience.