The Metropolitan Police Department today recognized its 2007 Officers and Investigators of the Year.
Sergeant Pat Postiglione and Detective Lee Freemen from the Homicide/Cold Case Unit are the Investigative Services Bureau Investigators of the Year for their work on the case of truck driver and accused serial killer Bruce Mendenhall. Mendenhall was arrested in Nashville July 12 and is chargedwith killing Sara Hulbert at a truck stop near downtown. He has implicated himself in at least six homicides, five of them in other jurisdictions.
Hermitage Precinct Officer Phillip Meador is the department’s Patrol Officer of the Year.
When a man terrorized two families in Old Hickory last February, including a woman and her two year old child, Officer Meador was quick to respond. The suspect had tried to force his way into one home, got punched by the resident, and then ran to a nearby garage where he tried to carjack a woman, who was accompanied by her two-year-old child. Officer Meador’s decisive action and outstanding response led to the apprehension of this dangerous man without serious injury to anyone involved.
Hermitage Precinct Officers Cindy Huffines and Cedric Connolly are the department’s Police Officers of the Year.
Within hours of a July 24th homicide in Tony Sudekum public housing, Officer Huffines received a telephone call in the middle of the night from a citizen who witnessed the shooting and provided the suspect’s nickname. Officers Huffines and Connolly then meticulously searched MDHA and police computer data bases until they matched the nickname with the suspect’s true identity. The eyewitness confirmed these officers had found the right man.
East Precinct Detectives Paul Harris and Rex Davenport are the department’s Field Services Bureau Investigators of the Year.
These two detectives put in more than 170 man hours investigating the murder of Jose Flores, who was killed at his Joseph Avenue home during an attempted robbery. The teamwork of Detectives Harris and Davenport in interviewing witnesses and potential suspects ultimately led to the arrest of four dangerous teenagers who were linked not only to the murder, but several other crimes.
“The outstanding acts of our 2007 Officers and Investigators of the Year are representative of the tremendous police work that takes place in this department every day of the year,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “I am exceptionally proud of today’s award winners.”
Pictured (l-r) are Detectives Lee Freeman, Sergeant Pat Postiglione, and Chief Ronal Serpas.
Pictured (l-r) are Officer Phillip Meador and Chief Ronal Serpas.
Pictured (l-r) are Officer Cedric Connolly, Officer Cindy Huffines, and Chief Ronal Serpas.
Pictured (l-r) are Detective Rex Davenport, Detective Paul Harris, and Chief Ronal Serpas.
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