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
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 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
Presented 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
Presented 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
Presented 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
Presented 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
Presented 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
Presented 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
Worn 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
Worn 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
Instructor – 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
Worn 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
Awarded 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
Worn 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
Awarded 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