SMPD Honors Officers, Civilians At Awards Ceremony

The San Marcos Police Department honored officers and civilians during its annual awards ceremony Wednesday, May 17.

Awardees were:

Officer of the Year: Cpl. Laray Taylor – Cpl. Taylor organizes the annual Blue Santa program, which served approximately 300 families and provided holiday gifts for 1,000 children in our community.

Taylor has also been instrumental in numerous community outreach programs, is the coordinator of the Citizen Police Academy program, and the founder of the department’s Coffee with a Cop program.

Civilian of the Year: Rudy Ramirez – Ramirez has served the department as both a 911 telecommunications operator and now as the 911 supervisor.

He is known among his peers as a strong and supportive leader who cares a great deal about his colleagues.

Life Saving Medal: Cdr. Lee Leonard – During a fishing trip on his time off, Leonard recognized that a woman from whom he was renting a hotel room was having medical difficulties.

He took her blood pressure, saw that it was extremely high, and told her that she should take two aspirin and call for EMS.

A few weeks later, he received a letter from her informing him that her doctor told her the aspirin saved her from an impending stroke.

Officer Brad Follis and Juan Flores, Tony Jaramillo and Britney Webb –  Officer Follis, Miller Middle School coach Jaramillo, trainer Britney Webb, and Seguin Middle School coach Flores provided CPR to a 13-year-old player who had collapsed on the field during a soccer game at Miller Middle School.

She survived and attended the awards ceremony with her mother.

Officers Ashley Allen, GeCorrie Royal, and Hollie Salinas – Officers Allen, Royal, and Salinas performed CPR on a man found unconscious at an apartment complex in San Marcos. Because of their quick action, the man survived.

Officer Evan Easterly – Officer Easterly responded to a single-vehicle crash on IH-35 involving a driver who appeared to be suffering seizures behind the wheel.

Easterly stopped the vehicle, which was still moving after the crash, and prevented it from drifting into traffic and causing more damage or injury.

Police Commendation Award: Officer Todd Harrison – Officer Harrison performed CPR on an unresponsive 1-year-old who ultimately passed away.

Harrison’s actions, and his dedication and professionalism as he continued his duties after such a tragic outcome, earned the respect of his peers and supervisors.

Chief’s Recognition Awards: Detective Adrian Marin and Deputy Herman Adair – Marin and Adair cooperated on a plan to stop a rash of motorcycle thefts by using a tracking device fitted to a decoy motorcycle.

Cpl. Phil Jackson; Officers D.J. Castillo, Ken Copeland, , Phil Nevarez, Richard Prado; and Phil Elam – These San Marcos Police Officers joined Elam began a successful in-school Cub Scout program at Mendez Elementary School.

Teri Curry – Curry is an active member of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, volunteering with SMPD Victims Services and the department’s Administration Division. She has donated more than 350 hours of her time to the Department.

Community Partnership Award: Phillip Bain – Bain, a motorcycle shop owner, offered the use of one of his motorcycles as bait in a sting operation to stop a rash of motorcycle burglaries in the area (referenced above).

Service Recognition Awards:

Sgt. Jehu Derrickson—40 Years

Sgt. Byron Mobley—35 Years

Cdr. Christopher Tureaud—30 Years

Chief Chase Stapp—25 Years

Sgt. Wade Parham—25 Years

Cdr. Lee Leonard—20 Years

Sgt. Kye Kennedy—15 Years

Officer Robert Elrod—15 Years

Officer Richard Prado—15 Years

Jessica Robison—15 Years

Cpl. Candace Elrod—10 Years

Officer Paul Stephens—10 Years

Officer Brian Ellingson—10 Years