Crime & Safety
Kansas City Police Department: Courageous Officers, Dedicated Employees Receive Award
Dozens of KCPD officers and employees received awards on Dec. 7, 2021, recognizing their courageous and dedicated acts of service.
12/08/2021
Dozens of KCPD officers and employees received awards on Dec. 7, 2021, recognizing their courageous and dedicated acts of service.
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Among the recipients was Officer Blaine Kennedy, who received the Distinguished Service Medal and Purple Heart Award. On June 3, 2020, a man that Officer Kennedy was trying to help stabbed the officer in the chest. Though critically injured, Officer Kennedy willed himself to stand up, chase down the suspect, and hold him at gunpoint until other officers arrived.
Officer Noah Stigall also received the Distinguished Service Medal. On Dec. 18, 2020, Officer Stigall was off-duty and driving home from work when he came upon a house that was on fire. Officer Stigall rushed into the burning home and rescued a brother and sister.
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Various officers (see below) received awards for saving the lives of Kansas City residents. Additionally, a helicopter crew was honored for tracking down a homicide suspect, landing in an unexpected spot, and chasing down the suspect on foot.
Employees who dedicated themselves to improving KCPD’s services also received recognition.
The awards ceremony took place at the Regional Police Academy.
Here is a list of award recipients:
Certificate of Appreciation
Ron Harvey
Mike Smith
Life-Saving Award
Detective Danielle Kincaid
Sergeant Justin Pinkerton
Officer Marc Canovi
Officer Michael Schneider and Officer Kirby Urbanek
Officer Jeremy Chick and Officer Dillon Viet
Officer Cole Modeer
Officer Mark Diviak and Officer Alayna Gonzalez
Special Unit Citation
Communications Unit
Traffic Investigations Unit
East Patrol Division 310 Sector Watch IIIA
Meritorious Service Award
Retired Supervisor Mike Russell
Captain William Hewitt
Civilian Kyle Wadlow and Retired Civilian Deborah Yelverton
Officer Scott Brulja and Officer Bradley Rains
Certificate of Commendation
Sergeant Billy Dotson
Officer Matthew Francois, Officer Brandon Sherman and Officer Alexander Votaw
Officer Joseph Chabot and Officer Darin Lutz
Distinguished Service Medal
Officer Noah Stigall
Distinguished Service Medal and Purple Heart Award
Officer Blaine Kennedy
This press release was produced by Kansas City Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
