News Flash

The Roswell Police Department honored many of its members earlier this year during an awards ceremony recognizing a variety of achievements and actions. (These awards and recognition cover an extended period of time since the pandemic required a ceremony gathering be delayed until this year.) (In photos, Chief Phil Smith is at the podium and Deputy Chief Mike Taylor is presenting the awards.) 

RPD congratulates the following on their well-deserved awards, promotions and recognition, as well as thanking our retired members for their years of dedicated service to this department and community. 

The Award and Medal recipients:

Sergeant Ryan Craine, Medal of Valor

November 4, 2019

Sgt. Craine took it upon himself to respond to a call of an attempted armed robbery in progress. He located the suspect, who pointed a handgun toward Sgt. Craine. The sergeant responded to the threat by firing multiple gunshots at the suspect, ending the threat. The suspect was struck by Sgt. Craine’s gunfire, but did survive. During his voluntary course of action, Sgt. Craine displayed outstanding acts of heroism and bravery.

Officer Narciso Santillan (now Special Investigations Agent), Meritorious Award

Officer Cassandra Juarez (now Detective), Meritorious Award

January 1, 2020 

Officers Santillan and Juarez were off duty when they heard a call come out involving an aggravated assault with a firearm. The incident location was in close proximity to the officers, who responded and located the suspect, who was observed armed with a firearm. The suspect began running from the officers and they both gave chase. The suspect began firing at the officers, but they continued pursuing the suspect, who tried to hide in the yard of a residence, but was located a short time later. Both officers displayed exemplary courage while their own personal safety was at risk in their response to this call.

Officer Jaime Castillo (left of podium), Life Saving Award 

Officer Narciso Santillan (now Special Investigations Agent), Life Saving Award 

February 8, 2020

Officers Castillo and Santillan responded to a residence in reference to a stabbing victim, to whom they both provided life-saving measures by placing a tourniquet on her.  The quick thinking and actions of these two officers saved the life of the stabbing victim who had sustained injuries to a main artery.

Officer Clayton Ness (now Detective), Life Saving Award

August 31, 2020

During a welfare check, Officer Ness found an elderly man who had fallen in his home and was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Officer Ness performed CPR and, as a result of Officer Ness’ quick thinking and actions, the man was revived. 

Officer Ashley Wood, Life Saving Award

September 30, 2020

During a traffic stop, Officer Wood performed the Heimlich maneuver on a young child and successfully dislodged a piece of hot dog from the choking child’s throat. Officer Wood is recognized for her quick thinking and actions.

Officer Shaye Duran (now Detective), Life Saving Award

December 19, 2020

Officer Duran was on patrol when he was flagged down by a motorist, who alerted the officer to a man who was not breathing and had no pulse. Officer Duran immediately took action by giving the subject Narcan (an emergency treatment for an opioid overdose) and providing CPR. The subject was revived by Officer Duran due to his quick thinking and immediate actions. 

Officer Jacob Perry (ceremony photo not available), Life Saving Award        

Officer Erik Castillo, Life Saving Award

Sergeant Dylan Thomas, Life Saving Award

December 27, 2020

Officers Perry and Castillo and Sgt. Thomas responded to a residence in reference to an elderly man not breathing and having no pulse. This RPD trio took turns giving CPR and the man was revived.  A life was saved because of the quick decisions and actions of these three RPD members. 

Officer Abrem Atencio (left photo), Meritorious Award 

Officer Danny Flott (now Detective), Meritorious Award

April 15, 2021

Officers Atencio and Flott responded to assist the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office with a fleeing vehicle. The pursuit came to an end at the front of the JP Stone bank on North Main Street where the suspect exited the vehicle and ran. The RPD officers were continuing to pursue the suspect on foot when the suspect pointed a firearm at them. The officers fired their weapons at the suspect, striking the suspect, who later died, and ending the threat. These officers showed great bravery and exemplary courage in their actions. 

Agent Brian Jefferson, Meritorious Award

June 14, 2021

The RPD SWAT team was called to respond to a residence where there was an armed subject. Agent Jefferson was one of the many SWAT personnel on scene. The suspect exited the residence with a weapon pointed at officers. Acting heroically and with exemplary courage, Agent Jefferson engaged the suspect by firing his weapon at the suspect. The agent’s shots did not strike the suspect, but did force him back into the residence where he laid down his gun, leading to a peaceful end to the incident.

Officer Leroy Smith, Meritorious Award

July 16, 2021

Officer Smith and other officers responded to a residence regarding a subject with a gun. The officers confronted a male brandishing a firearm. The subject began raising the firearm and pointing it in the direction of the officers. Officer Smith, along with sheriff’s deputies, fired their weapons at the subject, fatally striking him and ending the threat. Officer Smith showed great heroism involving exemplary courage and risk of his own safety. 

Officer Adrian Jimenez, Life Saving Award

July 26, 2021

Officer Jimenez responded to a residence in reference to an infant not breathing. Officer Jimenez was the first responder on scene and, using quick thinking and quick actions, provided CPR to the infant, successfully getting the infant to breathe again. 

Officer Brad Bailey (now Sergeant), Life Saving Award

September 10, 2021

Officer Bailey was dispatched to a medical call, where he observed a 63-year-old male subject who apparently had had a heart attack. The male did not have any vital signs, so with quick thinking and immediate action, Officer Bailey began providing CPR, which resulted in vital signs returning and the man surviving. 

2020 Officers of the Quarters 

   First Quarter: Officer Shaye Duran (now Detective)             

   Second Quarter: Detective Gino Basile                         

   Third Quarter: Detective Natalie Mendoza (now Agent)          

   Fourth Quarter: Detective Gino Basile            

2020 Officer of the Year: Detective Gino Basile

2020 Civilian of the Year: TSU Tech Angela Sharpe

2021 Officers of the Quarters 

   First Quarter: Officer Brad Bailey (Now Sergeant)             

   Second Quarter: Officer Danny Flott (Now Detective)             

   Third Quarter: Agent Randy Rodriquez                       

   Fourth Quarter: Sergeant Brad Bailey                          

2021 Officer of the Year: Sergeant Brad Bailey

2021 Civilian of the Year: IT Specialist Jerry Janow

Retirements:

Sergeant Donald O’Connor retired August 27, 2020

Detective Robert Scribner retired August 30, 2020

Sergeant Jerry Hart retired December 17, 2020

Captain Kim Northcutt retired September 15, 2021

Officer Laura Macias retired December 1, 2021

Officer Miguel Lopez retired December 16, 2021

Promotions:

Sergeant Chris Bradley             Lieutenant            March 27, 2020

Officer Tan Nguyen                    Detective             March 27, 2020

Officer Adam Rhodes                 Sergeant             September 11, 2020

Officer Trevis Reese                   Sergeant             September 11, 2020

Officer Cassandra Juarez           Detective            July 2, 2021

Lieutenant Joe Smith                  Captain              July 16, 2021

Sergeant Mark Mahone              Lieutenant          July 16, 2021

Agent Alex Barleen                     Sergeant            July 30, 2021

Captain Mike Taylor                    Deputy Chief      August 4, 2021

Sergeant Richard Romero          Lieutenant          August 27, 2021

Officer Steven Rosser                 Sergeant            August 27, 2021

Officer Narciso Santillan             Sergeant            August 27, 2021

Lieutenant Raymond Sharpe      Captain              August 27, 2021

Officer Shaye Duran                    Detective          October 22, 2021

Officer Clayton Ness                    Detective          October 22, 2021

Officer Brad Bailey                      Sergeant            December 3, 2021

Officer Danny Flott                      Detective           December 17, 2021

Longevity Recognition

10 or more years of service

Fabianna Ortega               Records Clerk               10+ years

Vanessa Ortega                 Front Desk                   10+ years

Scott Wrenn                       SID Sergeant               10+ years

Dylan Thomas                   Support Services Sgt.   10+ years

Ryan Craine                      CID Sergeant              10+ years

Philip A. Smith                  Chief of Police              10+ years

Russell Whitebear            TSU Technician             11 years

Bradley Bailey                  Patrol Sergeant             11+ years

Norma Ortiz                      Chief’s Admin. Asst.      12+ years

Mike Fry                            TSU Sergeant               13 years

Joe A. Smith                      CID/SID Captain           14 years

Yasmin Soto                      SID Admin. Asst.           14+ years

Christina De La Cerda       Records Clerk               14+ years

15 or more years of service

Alberto Aldana        CID Lieutenant                        15+ years

Mark Mahone          SID Lieutenant                       15+ years

Adam Rhodes          Patrol Sergeant                     15+ years

Loretta Lara             Accreditation Manager          18+ years

Richard Romero     Support Services Lieutenant  18+ years

Ron Smith                Accreditation Lieutenant        18+ years

Mike Stanton           Deputy Chief                           18+ years

Jeff Prince                Patrol Sergeant                      19+ years

Grace Fresquez       Sergeant                                 19+ years

20 or more years of service

Mendy Hernandez         CID Admin. Asst.     20 years

Mike Taylor                     Deputy Chief           20+ years

Thank you to all our personnel for your hard work, dedication and your many years of service to the Roswell Police Department and the community we serve.