Concord Police Hold Awards Ceremony

On Monday, April 23, 2012, the held its annual awards ceremony to recognize officers and civilian employees for demonstrating extraordinary efforts in the performance of their duties. 

Detective Wade Brown received Police Officer of the Year in recognition of his high degree of motivation and dedication, commitment to service to the public, positive attitude and contributions to the Department. 

He began his law enforcement career with the New York City Police Department where he worked as an Officer and Detective for right years.  He joined the Concord Police Department in 2008 and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division as a Detective. 

His knowledge and experience has been an invaluable resource to the Department.  He demonstrates a high level of professionalism and a continuous desire to take on challenging assignments that bring suspects to justice and gives victims a voice in court. 

Records Supervisor Karen Kennard received Civilian Employee of the Year.   She joined the department in 1986 as a Computer Operator and was promoted in 2001 to her current position as Records Supervisor.

As a key staff member of the Department, all divisions depend on her for information and documents needed on a daily basis.  She also provides services to court personnel, government agencies and citizens.  Even though the workload increases every year, she has managed to keep the Records Division on track in spite of staff reductions from 6.5 to two dayshift employees.  She has also guided the Division through multiple procedural and technology changes.

Letters of Commendation were awarded to the following:

• Detective Wade Brown – for locating a wanted subject while he was off duty.
• Officer Andrew Sargent – for locating a wanted subject while he was off duty.
• Officer Andrew Sargent – while he was off duty he enabled the arrest of a subject who was smoking marijuana while driving.
• Officer Matthew Casey, Dispatcher Karen Penna, Officer Andrew Sargent, Master Police Officer Dick Scott and Officer Brian Womersley – for their collaborative contributions in the investigation of several thefts from vehicles in south end neighborhoods which resulted in the arrest of two suspects.
• Officer Brian Cregg, Detective Michael Guarino, Detective Marc McGonagle and Officer Andrew Sargent – for their investigation of two purse snatching incidents in the downtown area of Concord which resulted in the arrest of two suspects.
• Detective Julie Curtin and Detective Marc McGonagle – for their investigation of a stabbing in Penacook which resulted in the arrest of four suspects.
• Detective Wade Brown, Officer Matthew Casey, Detective Sean Ford and Officer Joseph Russell - for their investigation of a burglary in progress at In A Pinch Café & Bakery which resulted in the arrest of four suspects.
• Sergeant James Berry, Master Police Officer Andrew Pellecchia and Master Police Officer Joseph Pitta – for their response to a call for a suicidal subject on a bridge overpass which successfully resulted in the individual coming down from the bridge and being transported for evaluation.
• Detective Wade Brown and Detective Sean Ford – for their investigation of a robbery at the West Street Market which resulted in the arrest of two suspects.
• Detective Chris DeAngelis – for his investigation of the sexual assault of a 15-year-old female in a cold case that dated back to 1997.  The suspect was found guilty and sentenced to prison.
• Detective Robert Buelte – for his investigation involving a man who committed multiple sexual assaults against several children in different states.  The results of his investigation will allow authorities to proceed with criminal charges in Alabama and NH.

Certificates of Merit were awarded to the following:

• Master Police Officer Amanda Reed – for displaying uncommon attention to the performance of her assigned duties in addition to her spirit of cooperation, strong work ethic, solid investigative skills and success in training new recruits.
• Master Police Officer Dick Scott – for his high level of motivation, professional performance and positive interaction with the community. 
• Detective Joseph Chaput – for his high level of performance and accomplishments attained while being assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division as the Evidence/Property Officer.

Commendation Bars for Distinguished Unit Action were awarded to the following:

• Detective Wade Brown and Detective Sean Ford – for their investigation of the theft of $25,000 worth of heirloom jewelry from an 84-year-old woman’s home.  The suspect was arrested and has been sentenced.
• Detective Sean Ford, Detective Michael Guarino, Detective Matthew Lankhorst and Detective Barrett Moulton – for their investigation of a burglary on Liberty Street where several guns were taken.  Two suspects were arrested and are awaiting trial.
• Officer Kaila Buffis, Officer Matthew Casey, Officer Andrew Kiewlicz, Officer Joseph Russell and Master Police Officer Jason Wimpey – for their investigation of a robbery at the Shell gas station by a man armed with a bat.  Officers found the suspect hiding in thick brush and he was arrested.
• Sergeant Ranee Boyd, Detective Wade Brown, Officer Kaila Buffis, Detective Julie Curtin, Detective Chris DeAngelis, Detective Marc McGonagle, Officer Eric Pichler, Officer Joseph Russell, Master Police Officer Dick Scott, Officer Ryan St. Cyr and Officer Brian Womersley – for their investigation of a burglary in progress at West Street Market.  The investigation revealed that some of the suspects had been involved in a number of burglaries in Concord and surrounding towns.  Several subjects were arrested as a result. 
• Sergeant James Berry, Officer Daniel Garcia, Officer Christian Lovejoy, Officer Katherine Marcos, Master Police Officer Steven Martel, Master Police Officer Daniel McDonald, Master Police Officer Matthew Nelson, Master Police Officer Amanda Reed and Sergeant Joseph Wright – for their response to a call for a domestic assault involving a mentally ill subject in East Concord.  The successful resolution enabled the subject to be taken into custody without incident.
• Officer Kaila Buffis, Officer Katherine Marcos, Officer Thomas Yerkes and Sergeant Joseph Wright – for their response to a call for a subject that was threatening suicide by police at the Fairfield Inn.  Officers were able to take custody of him without incident.
• Officer Matthew Casey, Officer Andrew Kiewlicz, Officer Nicole Murray, Dispatcher Katie O’Neil, Officer Eric Pichler, Sergeant Steven Smagula, Officer Ryan St. Cyr and Master Police Officer Jason Wimpey – for their collaborative contributions in the investigations of burglaries at Arnie’s Place and Applebee’s that occurred within 81 minutes of each other.  The suspect was arrested.
• Detective Adam Fanjoy, Detective Matthew Lankhorst and Detective Barrett Moulton – for their assistance in multi-agency investigations.

Commendation Bars for Meritorious Service were awarded to the following:

• Detective Adam Fanjoy – for his investigation of a complex case that resulted in multiple arrests.
• Lieutenant Gregory Taylor – for displaying uncommon attention to the performance of his assigned duties since joining the Department in 1992. As Commander of the Planning and Evaluation Unit, he was recognized for obtaining grant funds that have been critical to maintaining the operations of the Department.

Medals for Bravery were awarded to the following:

• Sergeant James Berry, Master Police Officer William Dexter, Officer Scott Fanjoy, Master Police Officer Steven Martel, Master Police Officer Andrew Pellecchia, Master Police Officer Joseph Pitta and Master Police Officer Jason Wimpey – for their response to a murder/suicide in Concord.