Full Notification

The Janesville Police Department announces the 2022 Police Department award winners.  The award recipients were recognized in an awards ceremony on Thursday March 16, 2023 at Rotary Gardens.
 
POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
OFFICER JEREMY A. WILEY
Officer Jeremy Wiley is a seven-year officer assigned to B-shift patrol.  Officer Wiley consistently provides senior leadership to the officers on B-Shift. Officer Wiley was responsible for approximately 40 days of instruction in topics including High Risk Vehicle Stops, Active Shooter Response, Tactics, Forcible Entry, and Firearms in 2022.  This does not account for the countless number of hours that he found within his normal work days to deliver instruction and coaching to officers on B-Shift.
 
CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
CARRIE L. KANE
Records Clerk Carrie Kane started working for the Janesville Police Department in 2021. She quickly adapted to her position. She is a quick learner and willing team player able to take on varying responsibilities, sometimes without having to be asked. As a dedicated team member, Records Clerk Kane has taken on additional assignments. She assists in arrest warrant entries and body-worn camera redactions. During critical incidents, she offers her experience and assistance providing investigative information to officers directly involved in the investigation, saving the officers valuable time.
 
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
DEPUTY CHIEF TODD R. KLEISNER
DEPUTY CHIEF CHAD A. PEARSON
 The leadership of Deputy Chief Kleisner and Deputy Chief Pearson has had a profound influence on the police department and community. They have worked every shift and assignment and have many letters of appreciation and department awards.  In September 2022, Chief Moore was asked to take over the duties of City Manager. The Deputy Chiefs have performed with distinction accepting extra duties such as guiding the department though multiple hiring processes, preparing for accreditation, and finishing the budget and union negotiations. Through it all they have maintained Janesville Police Department’s values and standard of service to the community.
 
EXEMPLARY SERVICE CITATION
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER CRAIG G. KLEMENTZ
In May of 2015 the Janesville Police Department began the development and implementation of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). Officer Craig Klementz was quick to volunteer for the team. His enthusiasm for this effort ensured its success for years to come. He was part of an effort to develop the Behavioral Health flag in the Department’s record system. He was part of the Evidenced Based Decision Making (EBDM) behavioral health steering committee. Officer Klementz’ commitment to the CIT effort, EBDM and the community has improved officer citizen contacts and helped reduce the stigmatization of mental health in the community
 
EXEMPLARY SERVICE CITATION
OFFICER JOSHUA A. JOHNSON
On December 16, 2022, at 1:14 p.m. Janesville Police officers and the Janesville Fire Department were dispatched to an address on Hawaii Drive in the City of Janesville for a residential fire. Officer Joshua Johnson assisted the Fire Department and interviewed witnesses. His actions were complimented by the Fire Department as he aided in not only trying to save the victims, but he helped protect the fire personnel who had entered the very intense fire.
 
EXEMPLARY SERVICE CITATION
DETECTIVE ERIN R. JOHNSON
Detective Erin Johnson has had a critical role in many criminal investigations that were completed to the highest standard including the armed robbery of a delivery van driver on October 13^th, 2022. Detective Erin Johnson who was a patrol officer at the time, working second shift patrol, volunteered to take the lead in processing the crime scene. Her actions directly aided in the main suspect’s arrest, which later led to several other arrests, a confession, and the recovery of the firearm. Detective Johnson’s skills in evidence processing, and her crime scene knowledge went above and beyond the normal expectation, of the duties of a patrol officer.
 
EXEMPLARY SERVICE CITATION
SERGEANT ROBERT C. PERKINS
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MERITORIOUS SERVICE CITATION
SERGEANT JIMMY G. HOLFORD III
 
On April 26th, 2022 officers were sent to Precision Drawn Metals on Plainfield Avenue for an incident that was called in as a man shot by another employee. The initial details lead to three possible scenarios; a homicide, active shooter, or both. Sergeant Perkins and Sergeant Holford in tandem utilized their training, experience, and leadership skills to confidently mitigate a life-threatening event in real-time without hesitation. Their leadership, presence, actions, and decisions kept what could have been a chaotic situation calm for all 1st responders responding to the incident and those traumatized by the events that unfolded in front of them. These two Sergeants’ attention to detail, leadership, and rapid decision-making lead to the identification of the suspect, his vehicle he left in, and his apprehension. It took less than forty-five minutes and a dangerous homicide suspect was taken off the streets and was no longer a threat to society.
 
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CITATION
OFFICER NICHOLAS A. SARGEANT
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CITIZEN AWARDS
MR. STANLEY GOLDSTEIN
MR. ANDREW JENSEN
Officer Nicholas responded to a stabbing incident on October 19th, 2022. Stanley Goldstein was inside his own home, when he heard a loud crash nearby, he ran outside and approached a vehicle which was now sitting in the middle of the roadway. Stanley quickly noticed the female inside the vehicle had been stabbed. He flagged down another neighbor, Andrew Jensen, who arrived to help. Andrew removed his personal belt and applied it as a temporary tourniquet to the victim’s arm, which had a significant stab wound. Officer Sargeant his issued tourniquet to the victim’s arm. While doing this, he continued talking to the victim to keep her awake, as she was losing consciousness, he made a quick, decisive decision and wrapped his arms around the victim, removed her from the vehicle, and ran with her to his squad car where he noticed she had additional critical injuries. Medical staff later confirmed the quick actions, and teamwork of Officer Sargeant, Stanley, and Andrew directly contributed to the victim’s survival. Today she is a survivor, a pillar of great strength, and an example of true courage.
 
CITIZEN AWARD
MR. CHAD NAVARRE
Officer Chad Navarre was an off-duty Town of Beloit police officer shopping at Walmart in Janesville on December 13, 2022. He observed a male putting several expensive vacuum cleaners into a cart.  Officer Navarre followed the male as he walked out of the store without paying for the items and took pictures of the suspect and license plates as he drove away. The suspect and vehicle information provided by Officer Navarre aided Janesville officers in being able to identify the suspect. Janesville officers located the suspect and arrested him on felony retail theft charges as well as multiple warrants for his arrest in Wisconsin and Illinois. Because of Officer Navarre’s dedication to police service and work ethic, even off duty, he was able to provide Janesville officers with invaluable information leading to the apprehension and felony arrest.
 
CITIZEN AWARD
MS. SHELBY FARBERG
The compassion and care provided by Ms. Shelby Farberg on April 11, 2022 will never be forgotten by the Janesville Police Department and the family of Retired Detective Dale Stutika. 
Detective Dale Stutika was a 31-year veteran of the Janesville Police Department, who retired in December of 2021. On April 11, 2022 (just 3 months after retirement) Detective Stutika experienced an unexpected life-threatening medical condition. Shelby was the Charge Nurse working in the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room that day. Paramedics and doctors did all they could to save Detective Stutika, but he sadly succumbed to his condition. Shelby rose to the occasion even though it was obvious Detective Stutika’s death impacted her as well. She wanted to make sure to honor Detective Stutika. Ms. Farberg cares about others and sets aside her own emotions all the time. She is a great nurse and a wonderful person.
 
BUSINESS AWARDS
RETIREMENT PLAN ADVISORS
In the fall of 2022, the Janesville Police Department hosted a two-day in-service, which included a two-hour financial fitness block.  Over the course of nine days, Dan Dodd and Angel Tullar from Retirement Plan Advisors volunteered their time to lead our staff in a financial fitness overview and subsequent discussion. Dan and Angel’s presentation was well received and provided valuable information to employees of all stages in their careers to successfully prepare for their evidential retirement.
 
BUSINESS AWARD
MULTI-SPORT CYCLING
Scott Wente and Velocity Multi-Sport continue to assist the Janesville Police Department bike unit with free labor and tune ups to our fleet of patrol bikes and e-bikes.  The bikes are used in day to day patrol and major events in the city of Janesville.  This provides our officers a different method of patrol during the warmer months.  It is citizens working together with the police department that make Janesville a better community.
 
BUSINESS AWARD
BUILDING A SAFER EVANSVILLE (SAFE)
Building a Safer Evansville (BASE) is committed to the safety of Evansville and the surrounding communities. Ms. Erin Howell was the director of the organization in 2022. She procured an allotment of Narcan to donate to the Janesville Police Department. Ms. Howell has spent much of her career breaking down the stigma attached to those suffering from substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health related issues.
 
BUSINESS AWARD
VIKTOS
Viktos, Mr. Justin Fox and the Fox Family have been consistent supporters of the Janesville Police Department’s K9 program. Since the start of the program in 2007, the Fox family has provided support and resources to allow the program to continue and succeed. More specifically, donating the funding to purchase three K9s; K9 Karo, K9 Fred, and now K9 Viktos. The Police Department is very fortunate to have such a great partnership with Viktos, Justin Fox and the Fox Family.
 
PROBLEM ORIENTED POLICING AWARD
OFFICER DREW J. MUSSEY
Officer Drew Mussey is a member of the Chronic Nuisance Team. Officer Mussey’s efforts as part of the Chronic Nuisance Team had the greatest impact on the 2022 results. In 2022, the active premises decreased by 68% and the completed premises increased by 43%. His hard work and dedication led to success in “resolving specific disorder or public safety problems faced by the police department and the community.” He educated other officers leading to pro-actively solving problems in our community. Officer Mussey has also recruited and trained Officers to join the team. He has been an incredible and highly valued addition to the team. Officer Mussey fulfills his Chronic Nuisance duties diligently.
 
PROBLEM ORIENTED POLICING AWARD
OFFICER BRIAN P. NABER
For the last several years, Officer Naber has recognized the issues surrounding the downtown area regarding the homeless population and anti-social behavior. Officer Naber recognized the continued issues in his assigned patrol and took actions to resolve the issues.  Officer Naber contacted all members of our homeless population.  He was able to build rapport and begin to gain voluntary compliance. He was able to make a direct impact on the anti-social behavior.  His approach was innovative, creative, and effective. The attention to this issue has made a noticeable change in the downtown area and reduced calls for service and increase the quality of life for the community.