News Details

Aurora Police to Name Employee of the Year

The Aurora Police Department will name its 2011 Employee of the Year during a 3 p.m. ceremony on Thursday, February 23, inside the first floor community room at the police headquarters, 1200 E. Indian Trail Rd.

The Employee of the Year is selected from those personnel who were named Employee of the Month in 2011, all of whom demonstrated specific acts that went “above and beyond the call of duty.”

Those who will be recognized include:

Investigator Robert Myint for establishing the needed resources to investigate the possession and trafficking of child pornography in Aurora. He also networked with child pornography investigators from other law enforcement agencies to gain knowledge and experience and eventually enlisted their assistance on cases being worked by Aurora Police.

Officers Mike Nilles, Kurt Thomas, Pedro Rodriguez, and Investigator John Munn for their efforts that led to charges against a man who broke into an occupied home on the City’s near east side. Officer Nilles will also be recognized for attempting to save the life of a premature infant who suffered from health problems.

Officer Christopher Cox for his actions while off-duty when he came upon a man lying outside of a vehicle in Oswego and after determining the man was not breathing, he immediately began CPR. The man was transported to the hospital where, despite additional life saving measures, he succumbed to a heart attack.

Officers Marco Gomez and Jason Cudebec along with Investigators Abel Villanueva and Daniel Wagner for chasing down and charging three men in connection with the armed robbery of an East side tobacco store. Investigator Villanueva, along with Investigators Nick Gartner and Chris Converse will also be recognized for their teamwork for their quick response to a shooting that resulted in attempted murder and other felony charges against four men.

Sergeant Kevin Convey; Officers Dave Brian, Jay Ellis, Ted Grommes, Nikole Petersen, Dean Tucker, Garrett Wrobel; and Investigators Jeremiah Shufelt and Joe Thompson for their work on a taskforce that put a noticeable dent in burglaries to homes and vehicles.

Officers Enrique Rodarte and Nathan Petschke for saving the life of a 27 year old woman by administering CPR when they responded to an assist ambulance call.

Officer Peter Wullbrandt and Telecommunications Operator Kathi Hart for their teamwork in saving the life of a man last summer. During the initial 911 call, Hart gave CPR instructions to the family of the distressed man before Officer Wullbrandt arrived on the scene and continued CPR for about two minutes until paramedics arrived.

Officers Aaron Spooner and Andrew Martin for their attempts at saving the life of a 74 year old man. After not receiving a response at the man’s door, the two officers forced their way in and immediately began CPR. While the man was being transported to the hospital, they worked with a neighbor to repair the damaged door.

Officers Justin Shepherd and Joshua Poynton along with Telecommunications Operator Staci Keyes for their teamwork in saving the life of a 23 year old man. Before the officers’ arrival, Operator Keyes gave CPR instructions over the phone to the man’s girlfriend. When the officers got to the scene, they proceeded to clear his airway and take over CPR until paramedics arrived.

Sergeant Doug Podschweit for his actions while off-duty that led to a burglar being caught inside of a home. The suspect was later tied to several Aurora burglaries.

Location: Community Room, Aurora Police Department Headquarters, 1200 E. Indian Trail, Aurora, Illinois