IFPD honors citizens, officers with awards
The Idaho Falls Police Department recognized outstanding citizens and officers for protecting the community.
Four groups of citizens were recognized for helping police officers and protecting their community. Chad and Jessica Bateman were given a Citizens Certificate of Merit for helping police capture thieves stealing packages from porches in December. They followed the thieves in their car as they were stealing and helped lead the police to their location.
“I think it’s an honor that we got nominated for it,” Jessica Bateman said. “I didn’t think anything would happen to it or about it. It was just doing something that I think anybody would do.”
The police department says community policing such as this is a huge help to them.
“When the community steps up and they call us and provide us information, like the Bateman’s did, it just makes our job that much easier,” said IFPD Lt. Jeremy Galbreaith.
Five officers were also recognized for their life saving actions. Officer Jason Hendrian, along with two other officers, saved a woman from a burning house earlier this year. They all received a life saving award.
“It’s humbling,” Officer Hendrain said. “Officers do this stuff all the time and I guess I’m just grateful that they recognized us. Of the 90 officers we have, I don’t think anyone would have hesitated to do what we did. It was just our time to be there for that incident.”
Even though it’s just part of the job, the department wanted to take time to recognize the officers for their important work.
“There’s a lot of good work out there that just goes unrecognized,” Lt. Galbreaith said. “It’s just part of the day to day routine for these officers. So, to take some time and recognize the really outstanding work, I think it’s important.”
The citizen award recipients are:
-Ken and Marla Hensley, Continued Support of the Idaho Falls Police
-Chad and Jessica Bateman, Citizens Certificate of Merit
-Dan Nakamura, Citizens Certificate of Merit
-Barry White, Citizens Certificate of Merit
The officer award recipients are:
-Officer Bart Whiting, Outstanding Police Service Medal
-Officer Mitch Bierma, Lifesaving Award
-Officer Jason Hendrian, Lifesaving Award
-Officer Cory Hart, Lifesaving Award
-Officer Tim Weaver, Lifesaving Award
