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From Page 5A Cityresident, police ��reco zed
A search of a wooded area near the ve- By Joshua Nichols "Not a lot of people have the equip-
hicle produced further evidence used in Sun Newspapers ment needed to go and round up an ani-
the case,Ruby said. mal of that size,"Thomas said."I just try
Community service officers are non- The Eagan Police Department recent- to get them off the road so they don't pose
sworn officers who assist the department ly recognized some of its officers along a risk to themselves or drivers on the
with a variety of tasks to free up time for with a community service officer and an road."
the officers.
Eagan resident for their contributions to Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen
Most of the seven officers recognized
the city. said the department has come to rely on
with commendations received their
The board that decides on the com- the assistance of Thomas when reports of
award for helping save lives in the coir
munity. mendations meets once every six months, large animals on the loose come into the
said Sgt.Jennifer Ruby. police station.
Officer Thomas Fadden received a "Basically any officer in the Police De- "Carol has been instrumental in as-
Certificate of Commendation for his role partment can nominate anybody who sisting the department by responding at
in talking a suicidal man off the Cedar works in the Police Department or a citi- all hours of the day and night on numer-
Avenue Bridge in January 2001. zen,"Ruby said."It's important to the de- ous calls of large animals loose on our
Office Fadden's calm demeanor and partment to recognize those who go be- highways and city streets," Therkelsen
soothing encouragement ultimately con- yond the call of duty to help the commu- said. "She has been invaluable as a re-
vinced the victim to not jump," nity." source for information on animals and
Therkelsen said. A total of seven police officers received their owners in the city and surrounding
Officer Robert Wegner also received avary
pining leve
"
Certificate of Commendation for helping levels of commendation while communities.
Eagan resident Carol Thomas received a Community Service Officer Susan
to save an Eagan family during a pin
ary 2001 house fire. Wegner was pa- certificate of commendation. Hitchens received a Certificate of Com-
trolling Nicols Road when he saw the fire, Thomas,who is with the Diamond T mendation for her role in the arrest and
ke up the sleeping family and e fire,vacu- Riding Stables in Eagan, received the charging of four men involved in the No-
woke
to safety. award due to her years of volunteering vember 1999 robbery of Kentucky Fried
ated her time and equestrian equipment to Chicken.
Office Brian Rezny earned his Certifi- Hitchens noticed a ski mask on the
tate of Commendation for his response to Eagan Police.
a medical call in December 2esp Ruby Thomas,who said it was an honor to street just after the robbery and also
said.medical
c used a defibrillator , u receive the commendation from the de- found the stolen vehicle the suspects had
p partment, occasionally gets calls from fled in,said Ruby.
save the life of the victim, Therkelsen the police to help round up a wayward
said. hnrcp or other large animal. HONORED:To Page 13A
"He was a department leader in 2000
in citations,reports written and primary
officer calls for service,"Therkelsen said.
"In all categories, his job performance
has consistently been excellent."
Other officers recognized with com-
mendations were:
•Jim Thielen received a Certificate of
Commendation for his 12-year role as a
member of the Eagan Tactical Team.
•Paul Tupy received a Certificate of
Commendation for his work ethic during
the year 2000.
*Pat Hogan was awarded with a Cer-
tificate of Merit for his service and com-
mitment to the apprehension of impaired
drivers.
"Detective Dan Mason received a Cer-
tificate of Merit for his nine years of dili-
gent service to the Eagan Tactical Team.