Metro Police Department Honors Employees of the Year for 2008
The Metropolitan Police Department today recognized eight officers and detectives as its 2008 Investigators & Officers of the Year. The department’s Professional Support Employee of the Year was also honored.
Sergeant Pat Postiglione and recently retired Detective Bill Pridemore from the Homicide/Cold Case Unit are the Investigative Services Bureau Investigators of the Year for their work in solving the 1975 murders of nine-year-old Marcia Trimble and Vanderbilt student Sarah Des Prez. Thanks to scientific advancements, Jerome Sidney Barrett was identified as a likely suspect in both cases in 2007. He was indicted for Des Prez’s murder in November 2007 and Trimble’s murder last summer. Sergeant Postiglione and Detective Pridemore have meticulously coordinated the investigative work on these cases in recent times and continue to work with prosecutors to bring closure for all concerned. Their dedicated work led to Barrett's first-degree murder conviction in the Des Prez case just this afternoon.
Officer Kenneth Bray of the East Precinct is the department’s Patrol Officer of the Year. Officer Bray’s painstaking search for a homicide suspect’s vehicle led to the arrest of four persons believed responsible for the August murders of Vanderbilt University professor Pierre Colas and his sister, Marie, during a robbery at Colas’ McFerrin Avenue home.
Officers Dennis Shepherd, Rob Morris, and Cindy Huffines are the department’s Police Officers of the Year. These three officers, while working out of the Hermitage Precinct, teamed together to arrest a man believed responsible for several robberies of check cashing businesses and two banks.
Detective Josh Walters of the Hermitage Precinct is the Field Operations Bureau Investigator of the Year for 2008. Officer Walters posed as a Pizza Hut employee in July and was attempting a suspicious, high-risk delivery when a gunman quickly approached his undercover pickup truck out of the darkness. Seeing the gun pointed in his direction, and believing that he and another undercover officer inside the truck were in imminent danger of being shot, Officer Walters fired on the would-be robber in self-defense, thus ending the threat.
Canine Officer Jerry Denton is the Field Operations Bureau Special Operations Officer of the Year. In the early morning hours of June 1st, Officer Denton and his partner, “Roscoe,” began tracking an armed home invasion suspect in a driving rain storm. Midway through the track, Officer Denton fell down a steep hill in the darkness and cut his leg, which would later require stitches. Despite the injury, Officer Denton and Roscoe continued their search for the suspect, who they ultimately found hiding in the undergrowth of a wooded area.
Police Operations Coordinator Glendel Greer is the department’s Professional Support Employee of the Year. In her position with the Cold Case/Homicide Unit, Ms. Greer maintains all records and assists detectives in organizing the immense amount of paperwork associated with the unit’s very complex investigations. Ms. Greer also volunteered countless hours to organizing the first and second annual Law Enforcement Talent Showcases, which benefited charities for domestic violence and children.
“The men and women we honor today exemplify the dedication and commitment of this entire police department,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “I am very proud of them and their tremendous accomplishments that truly have made Nashville a safer place.”
2008 Investigative Services Bureau Investigators of the Year---Pictured (l-r)
are Deputy Chief Steve Anderson, Sergeant Pat Postiglione, recently retired
Detective Bill Pridemore, and Chief Ronal Serpas
2008 Field Operations Bureau Patrol Officer of the Year---Pictured (l-r) are
Deputy Chief Steve Anderson, Officer Kenneth Bray, and Chief Ronal Serpas.
2008 Field Operations Bureau Police Officers of the Year--Pictured (l-r) are
Deputy Chief Steve Anderson, Officer Dennis Shepherd, Officer Rob Morris,
Officer Cindy Huffines, and Chief Ronal Serpas.
2008 Field Operations Bureau Special Operations Officer of the Year---Pictured
(l-r) are Commander Anthony Carter, Deputy Chief Steve Anderson, Captain
Randy Hickerson, Officer Jerry Denton (who was also presented with a plaque
for winning the U.S. Police Canine Association's award for the 2nd quarter of
2008), and Chief Ronal Serpas.
2008 Professional Support Employee of the Year---Pictured (l-r) are Deputy
Chief Louise Kelton, Police Department Civilian Association President David
Brewington, Glendel Greer, and Chief Ronal Serpas.
Officer Josh Walters, the 2008 Field Operations Bureau Investigator of the
Year, is not shown due to his undercover assignment.