Lakewood Agent Named 'Patrol Officer Of The Year'

GOLDEN, CO – A Lakewood patrol officer was honored by the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office Dec. 11 in a special ceremony, the DA's office said Friday.

Patrol Agent Jaime Cardenas, of the Lakewood Police Department, was honored as "Patrol Officer of the Year" at First Judicial District Attorney Pete Weir's annual staff meeting. This is the fourth year of the awards, which are bestowed on a detective and patrol officer.

The yearly award honors "two exemplary law enforcement officers, thanking them for their service to the community and their dedication to the cause of justice," a press release from the DA's office said.

The honorees are nominated by prosecutors and a selection committee makes the final decision, the DA's office said.

"We are incredibly proud of Agent Cardenas for being named Officer of the Year by the District Attorney’s Office," said Lakewood Police Chief Dan McCasky in a statement. "Her commitment to the City of Lakewood and the its residents embodies the Lakewood Police Department’s mission 'to serve and protect with integrity, intelligence and initiative.' She is one of the many incredible women and men in this department who go above and beyond every day to keep our community safe."

Cardenas was given the award by Weir and Lakewood Deputy Chief Anita Koester.

Also honored as "Investigator of the Year" was Arvada Detective Bobby Brooks.

“We are fortunate to have many exceptional law enforcement officers within the First Judicial District,” said Weir, in a statement. “Recognizing officers for their outstanding efforts in 2018 is one small way we acknowledge them for their service.”

The First Judicial District is made up of Jefferson and Gilpin counties and has 13 law enforcement agencies, including 11 police departments, and two sheriffs’ offices. More than 1,000 sworn officers make up the agencies. The DA's office said that officers work with prosecutors from arrest through the criminal justice system.

"Working relationships are critical for successful case outcomes," the DA's office said.

When this award was created four years ago, Weir chose to honor a patrol officer as well as a detective, “While detectives are often involved in complex felony cases, the patrol officers are on the front line. They work in our communities and, at times, when least expecting it, must walk into the face of danger,” Weir said.

Image: Detective Bobby Brooks receives the Investigator of the Year award from Jefferson County DA Pete Weir and Arvada Police Chief Link Strate. Via First Judicial District Attorney's Office.