Royal Oak Police Honored for Commitment, Bravery and More

Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue recognized members of the Police Department for their roles in protecting life and property, acts of bravery and more.

O'Donohue, along with Mayor Jim Ellison, presented multiple awards at the Royal Oak City Commission meeting Monday, with the chief giving brief remarks for each award.

Here is what O'Donohue said:

Officer Zachary Nottle

Officer Zachary Nottle has served the city of Royal Oak as a K-9 handler for the last seven years. In that time the K-9 unit has responded to approximately 1,350 calls for canine service. He is credited with 460 narcotic fines, 44 apprehensions of fleeing criminals, and contributed to the seizure of approximately $500,000 of forfeited currency. The K-9 team has not only been an asset to the citizens of Royal Oak but to communities throughout Southeast Michigan, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oakland County narcotics team, state police and U.S. postal inspector. Officer. Nottle has demonstrated a high level of service, dedication, and commitment to the Royal Oak Police Department and canine program.

Read: Royal Oak's K-9 Charlie Retires After 49 Years of Service (In Dog Years)

Officer Tim Brown

On Oct. 6, 2012, Officer Tim Brown while training a new officer, observed a vehicle parked a little funny on a residential street. Officer Brown instructed his recruits to log the license plate as they were positioning their vehicle to watch the vehicle. While they were turning their vehicle around, a young man ran to the suspicious vehicle and quickly fled the scene. Unbeknown to Officer Brown at the time, that suspect had attempted to kidnap a 14-year-old girl who was walking home. Due to Officer Brown's diligent patrol and keen observation, he provided critical information in the police locating the suspect. But for his efforts the suspect would have never been located.

Read: Man Accused in Royal Oak Kidnapping Attempt Headed to Trial

Sgt. Michael Moore

On July 25, 2012, Sgt. Michael Moore was dispatched to a noise complaint in an apartment complex on Springer. Keeping true to the adage that no call is routine, Sgt. Moore responded to the apartment complex and found it all quiet. He took the extra step of walking around the apartment complex to confirm that, and observed a broken window. As he approached, he observed a male victim covered in blood lying on the floor. The male suspect was holding a jagged piece of glass and straddling the victim. Upon seeing Sgt. Moore, the suspect threatened to kill the victim and lunged at him with a shard of glass. Sgt. Moore quickly tasered the suspect, effectively disabling him until backup officers could forced entry and take the suspect into custody. Due to Sgt. Moore's keen observation and swift action, a violent and dangerous criminal was arrested and a murderer was prevented.

Read: Berkley Man Charged with Trying to Kill Royal Oak Roommate

Officer John Tobin

On Feb. 20, while conducting a jail check, Officer John Tobin observed a female prisoner had hung herself from a jail cell. He quickly called for medical assistance and entered the cell. He cut the prisoner down, applied emergency breathing, and was able to revive the prisoner. He eventually turned it over to paramedics. Officer Tobin's actions are an exemplary of professional service under unusual circumstances. His performance undoubtedly saved the prisoners life.

Mary Eileen Kennedy - Civilian of the  Year

Mary Eileen Kennedy is a part-time records assistant and has played a key role in the day-to-day operations of the always hectic police records department. Last year she went above and beyond by assisting the department with the state lien audit. Her hard work and due diligence assisted the agency in fulfilling the stringent lien requirements and passing the audit. In conjunction with her lien audit work, Ms. Kennedy has demonstrated she is a hard worker and dedicated employee. She requires very little supervision, seeks additional work assignments, and consistently completes her task in a timely manner.

Officer Terry Oaks - Officer of the Year

On Nov. 22 while on patrol, Officer Terry Oaks observed a suspicious red pick-up truck in the area of Fourth and Main. Officer Oaks made a note of the vehicle description and the license plate. A short time later, dispatch broadcast a citizen had just been robbed in the area of Main and Allenhurst and the suspects fled the scene. The suspects matched the description of the suspects Officer Oaks had seen earlier that day. He quickly notified dispatch and a "be on the lookout" was broadcast and the suspects were arrested in Oak Park. It's very unlikely that the suspects would've ever been caught but for Officer Oaks' keen observation.

Another incident occurred on Sept. 10, 2012. Officer. Oaks responded to the report of a bank robbery in Huntington Woods. Officer Oaks located the suspect vehicle traveling on south on Woodward and became involved in a pursuit with the suspect vehicle. The suspect ultimately crashed his vehicle in Pleasant  Ridge and fled on foot. Officer Oaks immediately pursued on foot along with a Huntington Woods officer. During the foot pursuit, the suspect stopped abruptly, took a shooter's stance, and with an object in his hands, made a motion as if he had a weapon, pointing it at the Huntington Woods officer. Officer Oaks kept his composure in the face of extreme danger and fired two shots at the suspect, effectively disabling him and the suspect was taken into custody. For his high level of initiative and the ability to take action without undue haste or or delay, Officer Oaks is awarded the officer of the year award and a citation for bravery.

Read: Royal Oak Police Assist in Huntington Woods Bank Robbery Pursuit