The Corpus Christi Police held a Quarterly Awards Ceremony at the Police Department’s Auditorium on October 24, 2013. Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson presented a Certificate of Merit to Senior Officer Matthew Morrow, a Citizen’s Certificate of Merit to Christopher Caleb McBroom and Randy Vasquez. He also presented Life Saving Awards to Lieutenant James N. Gray and Senior Officers Michael N. Garcia, Edward M. Kearney, Carl A. Knapick, Denise R. Pace, and Adam Thurman.
A Certificate of Merit was awarded to Senior Officer Matthew Morrow who on August 20, 2008 was getting ready to work radar on the shoulder of the freeway when he observed a pick-up truck matching the description of a stolen vehicle that had just been reported stolen. He pulled over the stolen vehicle and the driver who had known gang affiliations was arrested. The arrest sparked a federal investigation and subsequent indictment of prison officials who were aiding prison gangs in acquiring cell phones to run free world criminal activity including murders, assaults, home invasions, and narcotics activity. His actions on that day had an impact not only within this community, but throughout the State of Texas.
A Life Saving Award was presented to Senior Officer Adam Thurman and Citizen’s Certificate of Merit was awarded to Christopher Caleb McBroom and Randy Vasquez. On February 12, 2013 at approximately 7:56pm, Senior Officer Adam Thurman responded to a call for service for an unconscious male. John Dillard had collapsed in a parking lot. Co-Worker Christopher Caleb McBroom called for help, then he and bystander Randy Vasquez began CPR on Mr. Dillard. When Senior Officer Adam arrived he took over for Mr. McBroom and continued chest compressions while Randy continued rescue breathing until CCFD Emergency Personnel arrived. Mr. Dillard was present along with his family. He was thankful to Senior Officer Thurman, Mr. McBroom and Mr. Vasquez for reviving a “dead man” and giving him an opportunity to walk his daughters down the aisle when the time came.
Lt. James Gray’s Life Saving Award was earned due to his actions on August 9, 2013. Lt. Gray was stopped at the light at S. Padre Island Drive and Rodd Field Road when he smelled smoke that he recognized as having the odor of a structure fire. Lt. Gray judged the direction of the wind direction and started scanning the area up wind for signs of a fire. He was able to locate the house fire in a nearby neighborhood and found that flames had started coming from the roof. He approached the house and banged on the door. The man who answered the door was unaware that the house was on fire. The man struggled with the door and could not get it open. Lt. Gray kicked the door open and assisted the man in getting his wife and six children evacuated from the residence. In attendance at the ceremony were Danny Bowman, his wife Jenna and their four daughters, Myrina, Audrina, Adelina, and Marinea. Also at the ceremony were Paul Cervantes, his Laura and their two daughters, Sophia and Olivia. The Cervantes’ two daughters had been spending the night at the Bowman’s.
Senior Officer Michael Garcia received his Life Saving Award when on April 16, 2013; he was dispatched to a call for an unconscious female. Upon arrival, he contacted the complainant who directed him over to the 80-year-old unconscious woman who had no pulse and was not breathing. Senior Officer Garcia immediately initiated CPR. He continued these lifesaving measures for approximately five minutes until CCFD Emergency Personnel arrived. The female was revived and taken to the hospital. A CCFD Fire Captain later commented on Senior Officer Garcia’s CPR technique “were excellent” and that “the officer’s quick arrival and immediate intervention gave the Engine and Medic crews a viable patient upon arrival”.
Senior Officer Edward Kearney and Senior Officer Denise Pace received their Life Saving Awards due to their actions on July 13, 2013 when they responded to a possible jumper on the Harbor Bridge and observed a man hanging from the superstructure of the bridge. Among the negotiators was Senior Officer Denise Pace. While attempting to talk the man back up to a safer setting, he asked for water. Officers Kearney and Pace were outfitted with safety harnesses and climbed down to the cat walk level where the man was standing. The Officers continued to talk to him and after a couple of hours they convinced him to climb back up and seek psychiatric attention.
On June 7, 2013, Senior Officer Carl Knapick was completing an accident investigation when he observed a truck traveling at a slow rate along the access road and turn into a driveway. Another citizen who was exiting the same driveway got out of his vehicle and approached the truck and started to pull the driver out of the vehicle. Senior Officer Knapick approached the scene and observed that the driver was in distress. It appeared that the driver was choking and was starting to lose consciousness. Senior Officer Knapick performed the Heimlich maneuver and was able to dislodge the object blocking the airway.
Congratulations to all those who were honored today!
CCPD Blotter 
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