Recognition

Officers of the Month

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July 
• August 
• September
• October
• November
• December

January 2012

 
Officer Randy Pignotti

On Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 2:55 a.m., K9 Officer Randy Pignotti was on routine patrol traveling eastbound on I-80, approaching the 72nd St. off-ramp. Pignotti observed smoke coming from a grove of trees which was located in a ravine off the roadway. As Pignotti approached the area, he could observe a white Ford Explorer that had crashed into the trees and he could see a fire underneath it.

Pignotti ran up and saw a man in the driver's seat. The man was not moving and appeared to be unconscious. The driver's door was damaged and could not be opened. Pignotti yelled and pounded on the door. The man driver responded but didn't move. By then the fire had moved to the engine compartment and was getting bigger. Pignotti moved to the passenger side and broke several windows in an attempt to get the man out of the vehicle. Pignotti was able to pull the man out the passenger side window and out of the vehicle. With the assistance of a cabdriver, Officer Pignotti was able to get the driver away from the now fully engulfed vehicle fire.

The driver was transported by Omaha Fire to UNMC where he was treated for a pelvic fracture.

 

Information Services Technician Deborah Saddoris

Deb Saddoris took on a time-consuming and detailed process of viewing, entering, and editing hundreds of juvenile records to ensure their accuracy. This was a huge undertaking that took Deb years to complete. This assignment was done in addition to Deb's regular duties.

Back to Top

February 2012

Officer Matthew McKinney

Officer Matthew McKinney has shown great dedication, professionalism and vigilance in the performance of his duties as a Police Service Dog Handler assigned to the OPD Canine Squad. In one month’s time, Officer McKinney made three separate seizures and felony arrests of criminals who are involved in smuggling illegal contraband through Omaha.

McKinney located various types of drugs including marijuana, cocaine and hashish, over $16,000, and firearms during these seizures.  

Officer McKinney has worked very hard conducting traffic enforcement and utilizing his training and experience in his patrol duties, particularly in the area of criminal interdiction. McKinney represents the Omaha Police Department and Canine Squad well with his professionalism and work ethic.

Back to Top

March 2012

Officer Jeremy Pruitt

On Thursday, January 12, 2012, at approximately 9:58 p.m. Officer Pruitt was patrolling in the area of Park Ave. and Woolworth Ave. when he observed a black male standing on the northeast corner of Park Ave. & Woolworth Ave. outside of the Midtown Gas & Grocery store. Officer Pruitt then observed another black male run out of the Midtown Gas & Grocery, and together, the two suspects began to run northbound on Park Ave. Officer Pruitt, believing this to be suspicious, activated his red/blue lights, drove up behind the two suspects, got out of his cruiser, ordered the two to stop running, and then gave out a foot pursuit to the dispatcher.

As Officer Pruitt was chasing the suspects on foot, he observed one of them discard what appeared to be a black object that was later determined to be a handgun. The other suspect was dropping large quantities of paper money as he was fleeing. The two suspects split up, so Officer Pruitt chased after one and he gave out the direction of travel of the other one on the radio. As back-up officers were responding to the area, Officer Pruitt was able to apprehend the suspect that was dropping the money and returned him to the store.

It was then discovered that the store had been robbed by the two suspects. Other officers responding to the area were able to locate the second suspect hiding under a truck a couple of blocks north of where Officer Pruitt last saw him. Officers then back-tracked the path the suspects fled and located a handgun and a black wig under a bush. The money the suspect was dropping was recovered by officers and returned to the store. The clerk determined that all the money taken in the robbery was recovered.

It was Officer Pruitt's acute observation and solid work that ensured these two robbery suspects were apprehended.

Back to Top

April 2012

Officer Paul Sarka

 

On Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 3:28 a.m. officers responded to a crowd disturbance in the area of 16th and Harney Street. As Officer Paul Sarka was arriving, he could hear several gunshots being fired. Several witnesses pointed out the suspect, who was running from the area. Officer Sarka gave chase, while transmitting suspect information over his portable radio.

 

As Officer Sarka caught up with the suspect, the suspect threw a firearm to the ground and continued to attempt to flee. Officer Sarka, and another responding officer took the suspect into custody shortly thereafter. After taking him into custody, officers found another gun in the suspect's coat. The suspect was booked into jail for first degree murder, attempted murder, and additional weapons charges. One of the two gunshot victims in this incident died as a result of the suspect's gunfire. Due to Officer Sarka's quick action, a dangerous felon was taken off the streets.

 

Back to Top 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.