Chief Richard Bowers, during the Greenbelt City Council meeting on August 12, applauded police department employees for their actions during the April incident at Schrom Hills Park when five teens were wounded by gunfire. These employees went above and beyond normal service in terms of providing life-saving first aid, securing the scene and performing the ensuing investigation. Bowers recognized them with three types of awards: (i) letters of commendation, (ii) Class One commendations and (iii) Silver Star awards.
Those receiving letters of commendation were: Evidence Specialist Maria Auchter, Public Information Officer Ricardo Dennis, Officer Andrew Ordaz,
Officer Jean-Paul Dang, Officer Oscar Rodas Flores, Corporal Konetta Brown, Corporal Yomayra Rodriguez, Sergeant Charles Wooten, Officer First Class Daniel Sandoval and Lt. Michael Parsley.
Recipients of Class One commendations for their outstanding performance and dedication to duty were: Officer Tyler Fahey, Officer Amy Sosa, Officer Richard Millien Rondon, Master Police Officer Rakibur Rahman, Master Police Officer Dylan Davis and Communications Supervisor Alicia Williams.
The Silver Star, the second highest award given by the department, is awarded to those who have exhibited service to the department and the citizens of Greenbelt in which valor, courage, intelligence and bravery are shown and demonstrated above what is normally demanded and expected of dedicated police officers. These awardees were: Officer Aidan Sims, Officer Christopher Shelby, Police Officer First Class Michael Watkins, Master Police Officer Michael Thomas, Corporal James Bowne, Sergeant Irelisse Fernandez, Captain Jermaine Gulledge and Major Timothy White.