Metro officers honored for meritorious service

Wednesday, April 9, 2003 | 8:24 a.m.

Nineteen Metro Police officers were honored Tuesday by Sheriff Bill Young for their outstanding contributions to the police department.

Metro Officers Brian Briggs and Garth Baker received Purple Hearts for their bravery during a gun battle with rapper Snoop Dogg's brother-in-law on Aug. 12, 2002.

Police allege Germaine Fuller shot Briggs in the head, inflicting a graze wound, and in the chest. Baker suffered hearing loss after shots were fired at him while he was in his cruiser.

Fuller ran to a nearby apartment building, barricaded himself and shot himself in the head 11 hours later, police said.

Corrections Officer Kenneth O'Rourke was given a lifesaving award after saving an inmate who tried to hang himself in his cell at the Clark County Detention Center on Feb. 16, 2002. Officer Jeremy Melvin was also given a lifesaving award for saving a man from a burning trailer on Oct. 12, 2002.

Deputy Chief Cliff Davis and Sgt. Randy Sutton were given exemplary service awards for obtaining a federal grant to start the Hispanic American Resource Team.

Six officers were given community service awards. Capt. Frank Sutton was given the award for coaching football, basketball and soccer for the past 12 years; Sgt. Walter Norris was given the award for coaching basketball and baseball for the past five years; and Sgt. Charles Jones was given the award for coaching baseball, football, soccer and basketball for 20 years.

Sgt. Paul Page was given a community service award for creating the Police and Fire Emerald Society and setting up the state's Memorial Run for the Heroes. Officers Christopher Little and James Rogan were given the community service award for their volunteer work with the Arthritis Foundation.

Seven officers were given meritorious service awards. Lt. Ron Williams, Sgt. Mel Langgin and Officers Bob Holland and Alex Marquez received meritorious service awards for taking a loaded rifle away from a man who wanted to commit suicide on Sept. 6, 2002.

Officers Brian Iulo and Ryan Jaeger were given meritorious service awards for rescuing a 12-year-old girl who was pinned by a lift against an air conditioning duct inside a building under construction. Officer Roger Palmer received a meritorious service award for apprehending a home invasion robbery suspect on Sept. 11, 2002.