The Bella Vista Police Department got together to celebrate a pair of promotions and issue awards, including recognition for several officers' years of service, civilian and officer of the year and the chief's award.
"It's always good to recognize folks for what they're doing," Police Chief Ken Farmer said during the Thursday ceremony.
The awards ceremony is typically done, he said, during the department's Christmas party, but was given its own date a few years ago. This, he said, allows more people to show up and makes it easier for officers' families to arrive.
The event recognized officers Justin Green and Ken Sabby for reaching five years of service, as well as dispatcher Michell Ouillette, who has been with the department for a decade.
Capt. Rodney Deason and Lt. Ryan Harmon were recognized for reaching 15 years of service.
Two promotions were handed out as well. Officer Bryan Bunch was promoted to corporal. Officer Luke Henson has been named the department's new K9 handler.
The chief's award was presented this year as well, and that isn't a regular occurrence, Farmer said. The award, he said, is for officers who go beyond the call of duty.
The recipients, officers Blake Hughes and Dillon Pruitt, responded to a call for a suicidal man with a gun on May 6, 2016.
When they arrived, Farmer said, they found a man with a rifle. He pointed the gun at the officers, Farmer said. They managed to get in close enough to wrestle him down and disarm him.
Officer Pruitt said that, while he would expect any of the department's officers to do the same thing in that scenario, he appreciated the recognition.
"It was awesome," he said. "It was a great thing that they recognized the hard work we do."
Hughes said he was very proud to share the moment with Pruitt.
The department also issued its civilian of the year award to property clerk Chris Coenen-Lane.
Coenen-Lane, Farmer said, was on a trip when she saw a burning car on the side of U.S. Highway 71. She promptly stopped and called 911, then checked the car and found a woman inside. She pulled the occupant from the burning car.
"Chris risked her own safety and helped someone who was in trouble," Farmer said.
The officer of the year award went to officer V.J. Wilson, who set up the bike unit to handle the Back 40 trails. Wilson helped plan bike hours, as well as the department's first bike rodeo night out.
Farmer said he was happy with the department's year, and hopeful for 2017, even if he is on his way out. He is retiring later this year.
"I will miss you all," he told the department. "Every one of you brought me joy, some when you walked into my office and some when you walked out."
General News on 01/18/2017