Novi Police Department Names Kristie Gruenwald Officer Of The Year

NOVI, MI — The Novi police and fire departments celebrated the accomplishments of its officers, firefighters as well as other employees at its annual awards ceremony on March 2 at the Civic Center. Det. Kristie Gruenwald was named officer of the year while Dan Schultz was firefighter of the year.

Public Safety Records Clerk GerylAnn Garris was named civilian employee of the year and Evan Lacy volunteer of the year. “In addition to performing their work assignments at peak performance,” Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police David E. Molloy said in a statement, “all four individuals embrace the highest of public safety values and serve as outstanding role models for their colleagues, the City of Novi, and the community.”

Gruenwald, a 14-year veteran of the Novi Police Department, quickly established herself as an investigator after serving three years as a patrol officer. During her 11 years as an investigator, she has been active in crime prevention and community policing by hosting multiple community workshops including.

Molloy described Gruenwald as a highly competent investigator who routinely works complex cases. She is frequently referred to as being thorough, empathetic and dependable. Due to her dedication and work ethic, Gruenwald was selected twice as Employee of the Month during 2016. She serves the department as a hostage negotiator on the Crisis Management Team and is the coordinator for the department’s accountability efforts with businesses licensed to sell alcohol.

Schultz is a 20-year veteran who mentors newly hired firefighters and trains current staff on engine and pump operations, according to Molloy. He takes the time to ensure each firefighter in training receives ample drive time on the various apparatus and pump operations after carefully reviewing safety protocol for both. Schultz is skilled at tailoring his lesson plans to each individual and holds each member accountable for properly demonstrating a task.

Also skilled in ladder truck operation, Schultz has trained most staff members over the last 10 years on proper aerial operations and safety protocol. In addition to training, Schultz ‘s commitment to the department is evident in his response to calls for service during all hours of the night and day and during challenging weather events, making himself available nearly every weekend for station coverage.

In her 14 years of service to the City of Novi Police and Fire Department, Garris has established herself as an example of excellence for her peers. Garris easily transitioned into the role of Public Safety Records Clerk in 2009 when she assumed the additional duties of fire records in addition to her police records assignment. Garris also donates countless hours to police, fire and city events which enrich the lives of all community members. Molly said she displays positive energy to everyone she comes into contact with, both co-workers and Novi residents.

As for Lacy, Molly said he has been a volunteer for the Novi Police Department since joining the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in 2009. He has attended multiple training sessions and exercises in Search and Rescue, First Aid and CPR. In 2012, his spirit of volunteerism and love for the community prompted him to join our Handicap Enforcement Team, and in 2016 when the volunteer programs were merged into one “Volunteers in Public Service,” or VIPS, Lacy rose to the top as a trainer within the program.

Lacy logged over 187 hours of volunteer time in 2016 - more than any other member - with most of the hours dedicated to training other volunteers.

Others honors included:

Novi Police Department
Life Saving: Sergeant Brian Woloski Officer Michael Daisley (2), Officer Joshua Chapman, Officer John Corder, and Officer Alisa Brown. Advanced Degree: Lieutenant Keith Wuotinen.

Staff and Command: Sergeant Ayren Edgar; Individual Achievement: Officer Michael Marchetti; MADD Award: Officer Jason Bergtold Department Citation: Sergeant Adam Elsen, Officer John Corder, Officer Brandon Bidus, Officer Michael Walton, Officer Thomas Orlowski (Ret), Officer Matthew Chylaszek, Merit Citation: Assistant Chief Erick Zinser, Lieutenant John Nelson, Sergeant Patrick Fanning, Sergeant Michael Warren, Detective Kristie Gruenwald, Detective Steve Balog (2), Dispatcher Brianne Salyers, Officer Paul Leslie, Officer Anthony Avant, Officer Allan Hashim, Officer Julie Warren
Officer Michael Daisley, Officer Joshua Johnson, Officer Alisa Brown, Officer Akthar Hossain, and Officer Robert Manar.

Letter of Commendation: Sergeant Mark Boody, Officer Jason Bergtold, Officer Brandon Bidus; Unit Citation: Detective Sergeant Scott Baetens, Sergeant Brian Woloski (2), Sergeant Amanda Kulikowski, Detective Michael Wilson (3), Detective Randy Mince, Detective Kristie Gruenwald (2), Detective Jeff Brown (3), Detective Michael Bender, Detective Jeremy Stempien, Detective Steve Balog (2), Detective Sarah Moulik
Officer Michael Daisley (4), Officer John Corder, Officer Brandon Bidus , Officer Julie Warren (2), Officer Alisa Brown (2), Officer Akthar Hossain, Officer Steven Snell, Officer Tim Hartland, Officer Michael Walton, Dispatch Shift Leader Janet Kaplan, DispatchShift Leader Karen Patterson, Dispatcher Briann Salyers, Dispatcher Kelly Mesh, Dispatcher Helen Tsouroullis, Dispatcher Kellie Marzolf, and Detective Jeremy Beisel (Farmington Hills).

Civilian Citation: Jeff Schimp, Ken Meier - St. John Providence Park Security, Dana Welch - St. John Providence Park Security, and Tyrone Bryant. Civilian Commendation: Dr. Christine Panyard, Dr. Michael Meyer, Dr. Ken Wolf, Pastor Michael Zerkich, Pastor June Smith, Aaron Poyer (Special Agent in Charge, Customs and Border Patrol - Office of Professional Responsibility), and Officer Paul Stuligross (Ret.).

Perfect Attendance: Sergeant Brian Woloski, Records Specialist Sue Hein, Detective Jerry Stempien, Detective Eric Lindblade, Detective Michael Bender, Officer Jason Meier, Officer Michael Daisley, Officer Michael Marchetti, Officer Jason Bergtold, Officer Joshua Russell, Officer Michael Walton and Officer Matthew Chylaszek.

Novi Fire Department

Life Saving Award: Captain Mark Theisen (2), Captain Todd Seog, Fire Protection Officer Ryan Cannon, Fire Protection Officer Jeff Lachman, Fire Protection Officer Peter Breuhan Firefighter Dan Schultz, Firefighter Nicholas Luschas, Firefighter Christopher Williams, Firefighter Ronald Barrett, Firefighter Tim Porter, Firefighter Matthew Tunnard, Firefighter Mark Pherson, Auxiliary Firefighter David Pieknik, Auxiliary Firefighter Chris Bageris, Auxiliary Firefighter Scott Discher, Auxiliary Firefighter Jeffery Franklin Paramedic Leah Maynard (CEMS), Paramedic Thomas Arnold (CEMS), Paramedic Joshua Miller (CEMS), Paramedic Carter Gillis (CEMS), Paramedic Sean Leppek (CEMS, 2), Paramedic Richard Dunn (CEMS), Paramedic Stephen Bowman (CEMS), and Paramedic Holly Leverton (CEMS).

Letter of Commendation: Lieutenant Remo Oliverio; Merit Citation: Captain Mark Theisen; Unit Citation: Captain Todd Seog, Firefighter Chris Reibitz, Firefighter Dan Schultz, Director of EMS and Fire Operations Jeffery Johnson, Lieutenant Paul Mullett, Lieutenant Carlton Korzeniowski, Firefighter Dennis Barratt, Firefighter Nicholas Luschas, Firefighter Michael Peters, Firefighter Matthew Tunnard, Firefighter Vincent Schira, Firefighter Ian Patterson, Firefighter Jack Liao, Firefighter Anthony Ruccolo, Firefighter Christopher Williams, Auxiliary Firefighter Scott Discher, Detective Scott Pasini (Oakland County Sheriffs Office), Detective Chip Schultz (Oakland County Sheriffs Office), Lieutenant John Lapenta (Northville FD), Firefighter Matthew Samhat (Northville FD), Firefighter Jean-Christophe Sicard (Northville FD), Firefighter Austin Conway (Northville FD), Captain Omar Davidson and K-9 Pasta (Detroit FD), Special Agent Randall Cummings (Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations), Paramedic Richard Dunn (CEMS), Paramedic Stephen Bowman (CEMS), Paramedic Kyle Freeman (CEMS), Paramedic Shawn Bowler (CEMS), Paramedic Blake Ashley (CEMS), and Paramedic John Grady (CEMS).

Fire Staff and Command: Lieutenant Josh Bunse, Lieutenant Remo Oliverio; Perfect Attendance: Captain Ramon Alvarez, Captain John Martin, Captain Mark Theisen, Captain Todd Seog, Lieutenant Remo Oliverio, Lieutenant Joshua Bunse, Lieutenant Paul Mullett Lieutenant, John Gearns-Hazlett, Fire Protection Officer Michael Jacobs, Fire Protection Officer Andrew Copeland, Fire Protection Officer Jeffrey Lachman, Fire Protection Officer Matthew Marken, Fire Protection Officer Patrick Deneau and Fire Protection Officer Peter Breuhan.

Photos courtesy City of Novi