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Hazelwood Police Officers Presented With Awards for Outstanding Efforts
Three law enforcement officers of the Hazelwood Police Department have been recognized for their outstanding efforts to protect and serve the community with the presentation of three top regional police awards.
Officer Jason Perkins was honored recently with the 2011 Officer of the Year Award, presented by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association at a recent ceremony held in Jefferson City. Also, the St. Louis Regional Traffic Safety Council honored Officer Tony Kristo with the 2011 Traffic Safety Officer of the Year Award at their holiday awards luncheon.
Every year, the Missouri Police Chiefs Association presents the Officer of the Year Award to a very deserving Missouri law enforcement officer. This honor is bestowed on a police officer who performs an act of heroism in the face of personal injury and risk of life, while showing not only courage but sound professional judgment as well.
Officer Perkins was nominated for an incident that occurred on June 23, 2011, when he placed his own life in jeopardy while on–duty in order to apprehend a dangerous suspect. While patrolling the 8400 block of Latty Avenue in Hazelwood around 11 p.m. that night, he heard what appeared to be multiple gun shots nearby and went to investigate. Officer Perkins saw a suspicious individual wearing a black jacket and black jeans walking along the street just inside the city limits. He exited his squad car and identified himself as a police officer. The suspect turned to face him, pulled out a hand gun and began firing rounds at Perkins. He ducked behind his vehicle and returned fire using his department issued service weapon.
A chase pursued on foot between Officer Perkins and the suspect. He found the suspect climbing a fence at 8318 Sagewood. Since the suspect was not holding a weapon, Officer Perkins holstered his weapon and drew his Taser. He then ordered the suspect off the fence. The suspect dropped to the ground and started running towards him. Officer Perkins fired his Taser which struck and stunned the suspect enabling the officer to gain control of the suspect.
During the interrogation, it was determined that the suspect had just been involved in a shooting in the City of Berkeley.
Officer Tony Kristo was presented with the 2011 Traffic Safety Officer of the Year Award at a recent holiday awards luncheon held by the St. Louis Regional Traffic Safety Council, He is a nine-year HPD veteran who has been assigned to the Traffic Unit since its inception in August 2005. Officer Kristo serves many functions as a police motorcycle operator, crash reconstructionist, and one of the department’s two Breath Alcohol Type II Permit Holders. He also performs a multitude of other duties for the department, including the Red Light Camera program where he reviewed 2,578 traffic violations.
Officer Mike Monticelli of the HPD was also nominated for the Traffic Safety Officer of the Year Award and recognized at the St. Louis Regional Traffic Safety Council’s event. He is a 16-year HPD veteran assigned to the Traffic Unit.
One of his most noteworthy accomplishments is being a supervisor for Hazelwood’s Police Explorers Post #9217 and training the group to win First Place in the “Traffic Stop” competition at the 2010 National Enforcement Exploring Conference held in Atlanta, Ga. He also performs at an exemplary level in traffic enforcement as well as other duties assigned to him such as reviewing 1,749 red light camera violations.
Sgt. Norman Mars of the Hazelwood Police Department was recognized as well for serving as Secretary of the Greater St. Louis Regional Traffic Safety Council. He resigned voluntarily in order to devote more time to his duties as a newly promoted sergeant in the department.
