HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 1, 2006 D-03b3 b
AGENDA ITEM r
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Police Silver Star Awards
MEETING DATE: March 1, 2006
PREPARED BY: Jerry J. Adams, Chief of Police
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Chief Jerry Adams will present two Silver Star awards to Officer
Sierra Brucia and Detective Mike Kermgard.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Silver Star is the department's second highest award. It is
awarded to individualswho demonstrate outstanding bravery above
and beyond what is expected in the normal course of duty.
Officer Sierra Brucia and Detective Mike Kermgard are receiving the Silver Star award for their actions
during an incident at the USA Gas Station on Cherokee Lane, November8, 2005. Special Investigation
Unit (SIU) Detectives attempted to arrest a wanted parolee who vowed to not betaken alive. The
parolee rammed one of the SIU vehicles. Officer Brucia and Detective Kermgard ran up to the suspect
vehicle, identified themselves as the police several times, and ordered him to surrender. The
suspect refused to cooperate and reached for a black handgun tucked in his waistband. Officer Brucia
saw the suspect reaching for the gun so, fearing for Detective Kermgard'ssafety, he leaned in through
the open passenger door, pushed the suspect's girlfriend out of harm's way, and shot the suspect once in
the abdomen. The gun fell to the floor but the suspect leaned over and picked it up again. Detective
Kermgard saw the suspect was bringing the gun up to point it at him so he fired one round at him. Officer
Brucia saw the suspect was attempting to point the gun at Detective Kermgard so he shot him one more
time. The suspect dropped the gun and was taken into custody.
The suspect survived and is awaiting trial. The handgun turned out to be a replica of a black Beretta 9mm
semi-automatic pistol.
The officers showed a tremendous amount of discipline by only firing three rounds in a highly volatile
situation. All three rounds struck the suspect. In a split second, they took into consideration the incident
was occurring in the lot of an open business at noontime at the same time they were only a few feet from
a busy Cherokee Lane. They could have easily stood by near the entrance of the gas station but, in
response to the suspect ramming the SIU vehicle, they felt it was imperativeto move up to his vehicle to
protectthe other SIU detectives and the public and to keep the situation from escalating.
The Awards Committee is made up of five officers and four civilians. Individuals are nominated by their
peers, supervisors, civilian employees, and the public. Sworn officers, civilian employees and volunteers
are eligible for the awards. The awards committee conducts investigation into each nomination. These
Investigations may include interviews with the nominees, their co-workers, their supervisors, the public,
and anyone else who might provide information regarding the nomination. The awards committee votes
APPROVED:
Blair ' , City Manager
Police Silver Star Awards
March 1, 2006
Page Two
by secret ballot and the results are forwarded to an executive committee (two individuals who are not
associated with the committee) for final review.
Please note all other police awards are due to be presented at a departmental luncheon held earlier
March 1, 2006, at LPD.
FISCAL IMPACT: NIA
FUNDING AVAILABLE: NIA
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Jerry -d. Adam
Chief of Police
cc: City Attorney