Officer Awards

Awards and Recognition Committee

The Dubuque Police Department has an Awards and Recognition Committee was created in 2015 and exists to recognize past and present department personnel for their service to the community, for acts which were above and beyond the call of duty, for acts which by their nature were such that the employee placed his/her life in jeopardy, or for acts that brought public acclaim to an employee, the department, and the law enforcement profession.

Officers can nominate others for department awards. Nominations are reviewed by the Awards and Recognition Committee, and approved by the Chief of Police.

Officers may wear one or two award pins on their uniform, just above their nametag.

Class I Awards

Legion of Honor

Legion of HonorPresented to a member of the Dubuque Police Department, who in the line of duty, distinguishes himself/herself by performing an act of bravery or valor, which involved imminent personal hazards or risks to life, having full knowledge of the risks, with a subject armed with a dangerous weapon. The Legion of Honor is the highest award presented by the Dubuque Police Department.

Gallantry Star

Presented to a member of the Dubuque Police Department, who in the line of duty, distinguishes himself/herself by performing an act of bravery or valor, which involved imminent personal hazards or risks to life, having full knowledge of the risk while using sound judgement and tactics. The Gallantry Star is the second highest award presented by the Dubuque Police Department.

Wounded in Combat

Wounded in CombatPresented to a member of the Dubuque Police Department, who receives a wound, in the line of duty, which was inflicted intentionally by an adversary, with a weapon or with the intent to inflict serious of life threatening injury.

Class II Awards

Significant Injury on Duty

Significant InjuryPresented to a member of the Dubuque Police Department who, in the line of duty, receives an injury caused by criminal or negligent actions of another person which causes severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration, loss of consciousness, or other illness or injury determined significant by the Chief of Police, Chief’s designee, or the awards committee and overcomes the injury to return to full duty.

Distinguished Service Medal

Distinguished Service MedalPresented to a member of the Dubuque Police Department who distinguishes himself/herself by an act of extraordinary achievement, or unwavering dedication to duty and meritorious service which contributed to the overwhelming success of the department’s mission and future wellbeing.

Police Commendation

Police CommendationPresented to a member of the Dubuque Police Department in recognition of unique or superior leadership skills or meritorious service beyond what is expected while performing an extraordinary task that involves problem solving, initiative, thoroughness, and sound decision making while in the performance of his or her duty. This award honors those whose service to the community is noteworthy.

Certificate of Merit

Certificate of MeritPresented to a member of the Dubuque Police Department who demonstrates personal initiative or performs above normal requirements in the course of his or her duties.

Life Saving

Life SavingPresented to a member of the Dubuque Police Department for an act performed in the line of duty which through prompt and alert reaction, results in saving a life.

Field Training Officer

Worn by a member of the Dubuque Police Department that is active in the Field Training and Evaluation Program of the Dubuque Police Department.

Specialty 1 – Tactical Award

Worn by a member of the Dubuque Police Department who is assigned to any of the following specialty units of the Dubuque Police Department in good standing: Tactical Entry Team, Marksman/Observer Team, Negotiators, Canine Handler, and Mobile Field Force. To remain eligible to wear this citation bar, an officer must be actively utilized in any of the aforementioned capacities by the Dubuque Police Department.

Specialty 2 – Advanced Skills Award

Specialty 2Worn by a member of the Dubuque Police Department who is assigned to a specialty unit including: Underwater Search and Rescue, Departmental Armorer, Drug Recognition Expert, DARE, Accident Reconstructionist, Police Explorer Advisor, Auxiliary Advisor, or Drone Team.

Specialty 3 – Full Time Specialty Unit Award

Specialty 3Worn by a member of the Dubuque Police Department who is assigned to a departmental permanent, full-time, multi-officer specialty unit including: Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Community Oriented Policing Unit (COP), School Resource Officer (SRO), Dubuque Drug Task Force (DDTF), Traffic Unit, or the Neighborhood Response Team (NRT). Former members of the specified units who left in good standing are eligible for this award.

Instructor / Firearms Instructor

InstructorFirearms InstructorInstructor – Worn by a member of the Dubuque Police Department that is certified as a Police Instructor and is actively being utilized in this capacity by the DPD.

Firearms Instructor – Worn by a member of the Dubuque Police Department who is a certified firearms instructor and is actively being utilized in that capacity by the Dubuque Police Department.

Honor Guard

Honor GuardWorn by a member of the Dubuque Police Department who is assigned as a member of the departments Honor Guard Unit and is actively serving in that capacity.

Physical Fitness Award

Physical Fitness MinimumPhysical Fitness PreferredAwarded to those officers that successfully complete the physical fitness standards in which the sit and reach, push-ups, sit-ups and the mile and a half run are scored. Those officers who meet the minimum standards as set forth by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy will be awarded the left pin and those officers who meet the preferred standards as set forth by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy will be awarded the right pin.

Military Service

Military ServiceWorn by a member of the Dubuque Police Department who has honorably served in any branch of the United States Military, including reserve and National Guard status, completed their tour of duty and received an Honorable Discharge.

The Patriot

Worn by members of the Dubuque Police Department for their continued dedication in the defense and protection of the United States.

Service Medal

Service MedalAwarded to those officers as recognition to their dedication to the City of Dubuque, the Dubuque Police Department and the police profession. This citation will be awarded in 5 year service increments.

Recipients

The following officers have received awards:

Officer Award Date Assignment Incident
Luke Bock Certificate of Merit January 2015 Patrol Investigator Hate Crime investigation & conviction
Nicholas Schlosser Certificate of Merit January 2015 Criminal Investigations Federal firearms cases
Kurt Rosenthal Life Saving Award November 2015 Patrol Division AED & CPR use to save a life
Rick Fullmer Police Commendation December 2015 Patrol Division Dangerous crime scene investigation
Jason Pace Certificate of Merit December 2015 Community Policing Extensive criminal mischief investigation
Kurt Rosenthal Certificate of Merit January 2016 Patrol Investigator Vehicle theft and burglary investigation
Brandon Bauer Certificate of Merit February 2016 Patrol Investigator Gang and counterfeit currency investigation
Nicholas Jobgen Certificate of Merit February 2016 Neighborhood Response Team Gang and counterfeit currency investigation
Michael McTague Certificate of Merit February 2016 Patrol Investigator Gang and counterfeit currency investigation
Craig Salmonson Certificate of Merit February 2016 Neighborhood Response Team Gang and counterfeit currency investigation
Ryan Scherrman Certificate of Merit March 2016 Patrol Investigator Elderly scam investigation
Andrew Harden Gallantry Star March 2016 Patrol Division Entered burning building to evacuate tenants
Justin Dura Life Saving Award April 2016 Patrol Division AED & CPR use to save a life
Jay Murray Certificate of Merit April 2016 Patrol Division Off-duty assistance of another agency
Jeff Bellis Certificate of Merit July 2016 Patrol Division Assist with a suicidal person
Chad Crabill Life Saving Award July 2016 Patrol Division AED & CPR use to save a life
Thomas Pregler Life Saving Award July 2016 Patrol Division AED & CPR use to save a life
Russell Stecklein Distinguished Service July 2016 Patrol Division Career service recognition
Paul Avenarius Certificate of Merit February 2017 Community Policing Human trafficking and prostitution investigation
Luke Bock Certificate of Merit February 2017 Community Policing Human trafficking and prostitution investigation
Chad Crabill Certificate of Merit February 2017 Patrol Division Human trafficking and prostitution investigation
Sam White Certificate of Merit February 2017 Patrol Division Human trafficking and prostitution investigation
Riley Fairchild Life Saving Award February 2017 Patrol Division CPR use to save a life
Chad Caszatt Life Saving Award March 2017 Patrol Division Child rescue from a structure fire
Dane Cox Life Saving Award March 2017 Patrol Division Child rescue from a structure fire
Stan Ryan Life Saving Award March 2017 Patrol Division Child rescue from a structure fire
Brad Hesselbacher Gallantry Star May 2017 Patrol Division River rescue of a suicidal individual
Brian Jobgen Police Commendation June 2017 Patrol Division Business and bank robbery investigation
Gabriel Kalkbrenner Life Saving Award July 2017 Patrol Division Family rescue from a structure fire
Kurt Rosenthal Life Saving Award July 2017 Patrol Division Family rescue from a structure fire
Justin Dura Life Saving Award August 2017 Patrol Division CPR use to save a life
Rick Fullmer Gallantry Star February 2018 SRO/DARE High elevation rescue of a suicidal individual
Jason Pace Gallantry Star February 2018 Patrol Division High elevation rescue of a suicidal individual
Jonathan Brokens Significant Injury On Duty April 2019 Patrol Division Significant exposure incident
Jay Murray Police Commendation April 2019 Patrol Division Significant exposure response
Sade' Pointer Police Commendation April 2019 Patrol Division Significant exposure response
Evan Armour Life Saving Award May 2020 Patrol Division Successful tourniquet application resulting in a life saved
Nate Wall Life Saving Award May 2000 Patrol Division Successful tourniquet application resulting in a life saved
Gary Pape Jr. Certificate of Merit May 2020 Patrol Division Apprehension of fleeing murder suspect
John Digman Distinguished Service July 2020 Staff Bureau Career service recognition
Scott Baxter Certificate of Merit January 2021 Patrol Division Research project leadership
Joel Cross Certificate of Merit January 2021 Community Policing Research project leadership
Steve Radloff Certificate of Merit January 2021 Community Policing Project leadership
Marty Steil Certificate of Merit January 2021 Criminal Investigations Project leadership
Rebecca Stieber Distinguished Service January 2021 School Resource Officer Career service recognition
Dane Cox Certificate of Merit March 2021 Community Policing Started and maintained a program to obtain necessities for the disadvantaged during holidays
Scott Koch Certificate of Merit March 2021 Community Policing Lead and operated a shelter for those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic
Brendan Welsh Certificate of Merit March 2021 Patrol Division Project leadership
Steve Eastvedt Distinguished Service March 2021 Staff Bureau Career service recognition
Carter Meyer Certificate of Merit July 2021 Patrol Division Apprehension of armed fleeing suspect
Dane Bakken-Drinkall Life Saving Award August 2021 Patrol Division CPR use to save a life
Clark Egdorf Life Saving Award August 2021 Patrol Division CPR use to save a life
Joel Cross Life Saving Award August 2021 Community Policing AED use to save a life
Phillip Friedman Life Saving Award August 2021 Patrol Division AED use to save a life
Mark Dalsing Distinguished Service September 2021 Staff Bureau Career service recognition
Nathan Wall Certificate of Merit September 2021 Patrol Division Research project leadership
Evan Armour Significant Injury On Duty October 2021 Patrol Division Injured while apprehending a suspect
Nicholas Soppe Certificate of Merit October 2021 Patrol Division Robbery investigation
Jordan Waddick Significant Injury On Duty October 2021 Patrol Division Injured while apprehending a suspect
Kim Hoover Certificate of Merit January 2022 Patrol Division Exceptional handling of a brain health call and follow-up
Brian Wullweber Certificate of Merit January 2022 K9 Officer K9 training program development
Ann Dauderman Police Commendation February 2022 Criminal Investigations Human trafficking and prostitution investigation
Jason Pace Police Commendation March 2022 Criminal Investigations Leadership recognition
Brendan Welsh Police Commendation April 2022 Community Policing Leadership recognition
Matthew Gamperl Life Saving Award May 2022 Patrol Division CPR use to save a life
Brandon Gudenkauf Life Saving Award May 2022 School Resource Officer CPR use to save a life
David Lois Significant Injury On Duty May 2022 Patrol Investigation Injured while apprehending a fleeing suspect
Mark Lorenzen Life Saving Award May 2022 School Resource Officer CPR use to save a life
Joel Cross Certificate of Merit June 2022 Community Policing Police & Fire Youth Camp
Clark Egdorf Certificate of Merit June 2022 Patrol Division Murder investigation
Brandon Gudenkauf Certificate of Merit June 2022 School Resource Officer Police & Fire Youth Camp
Jason Hoerner Certificate of Merit June 2022 School Resource Officer Police & Fire Youth Camp
Mark Lorenzen Certificate of Merit June 2022 School Resource Officer Police & Fire Youth Camp
Brianna Marzette Certificate of Merit June 2022 School Resource Officer Police & Fire Youth Camp
Sade' Pointer Certificate of Merit June 2022 School Resource Officer Police & Fire Youth Camp
Nathan Wall Certificate of Merit June 2022 Community Policing Police & Fire Youth Camp
Tyler Breitbach Certificate of Merit July 2022 Patrol Division Conducted follow-up while off-duty for successful return of lost property
Cody Schwochert Life Saving Award August 2022 Patrol Division CPR use to save a life
Matt Levin Certificate of Merit October 2022 Patrol Division Dangerous subject apprehension
Casey Smith Certificate of Merit October 2022 Patrol Division Terroristic threats investigation
Nicole Brehm Certificate of Merit December 2022 Community Policing Research project leadership