Police Officer of the Year Helped Nab Kidnapping Suspects

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – A Farmington Hills police officer who helped authorities apprehend a suspect wanted for kidnapping and attempted murder was honored earlier this week as the 2015 Farmington/Farmington Hills Optimist Club Police Officer of the Year.

Matthew Theisen, who joined the Farmington Hills Police Department in 2012, was honored at a ceremony on May 11.

He had previously worked from 2005-2012 as a police officer with the Wayne State University Police Department. He has a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, is certified as breathalyzer operator and os a mobile command post operator for the police department.

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Besides a citation for chasing down the kidnapping and murder suspect on foot in 2015, Theisen received a second citation for his field investigation of gunshots.

Theisen also received a Commendation in 2015 for his response to an incident where a mother shot and killed her son after he broke into her apartment. Theisen secured the weapon, rendered first aid, and ensured the safety of everyone else at the residence. No charges were filed in that incident when authorities ruled the woman was defending herself.

Image: From left, Assistant Chief Matt Koehn, Optimist President Roxanne Fitzpatrick, Officer Matthew Theisen and Police Chief Chuck Nebus (photo courtesy of city Farmington Hills).