Sedona Police Chief Charles Husted said that it’s been his experience over 30-plus years in law enforcement that officers don’t like to have the spotlight shown on them in acknowledgement of their good work.
“This is because they serve from a selfless place in their heart, without ego and without any intention of being acknowledged,” he said. “While some of the team members standing before you today may feel a little awkward being recognized in such a way, it is important that we fully demonstrate our appreciation for their excellence and commitment to public safety.”
Husted’s comment came during the police department’s 2020 award ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 28, at City Hall. In all, 14 members of the department received awards. Husted mentioned that they are playing a bit of catch up being that some of events that led to specific awards occurred before 2020. But moving forward, the awards will take place annually.
The following are the awards presented, recipients and a brief synopsis of why the award was given.
■ Chief Award
Communication Specialist Sue Donahoe
This is awarded to a member of the department who consistently demonstrates the department motto of “Selfless service for all” and demonstrates a variety of traits including leadership, courtesy, dependability, cooperation and fairness.
“She is a true teammate, loyal to our organization, honest, oozing with integrity and an overall very awesome person,” Husted said in part. “As the inaugural recipient of this award, Sue is very well deserving. She has truly set the bar high for others to follow.”
■ Commendation
Officers Jon Reed and Steven Willadsen
On Nov. 17, 2018, Reed and Willadsen, as members of the Verde Regional Swat Team, responded to a call in Cottonwood for a barricaded suspect. During the standoff, the suspect, who later died of a self-inflicted gunshot, fired several shots at the officers, including Willadsen, Reed and his K-9 Max.
■ Lifesaving Award and Commendation
Detective Aldo Ortega and Officer Steven Willadsen
On May 17, 2019, Ortega and Willadsen responded to a call of an unresponsive 60-year-old man. Upon arrival the two removed the man from his vehicle and began CPR until the Sedona Fire District arrived.
■ Lifesaving Award and Commendation
Sgt. Christopher Stevens, K-9 Officer Jonathan Reed, Officers Justin White, Rodrigo Ramirez, Jesse Santos and Communication Specialist Johnna Johnson
On Nov. 19, 2020, a call came in regarding a 69-year-old man who needed medical assistance. Upon arrival, officers began CPR as well as the use of an external defibrillator before SFD arrived on the scene.
■ Lifesaving Commendation
Officer Kevin Hudspeth
On May 8, 2018, Hudspeth responded to an agency assist call in Oak Creek Canyon regarding a woman with behavioral issues. On scene, he was there with SFD personnel. Fire needed to verify what medications the female was on, so they had to leave the scene with the husband, with only Hudspeth and a firefighter with the woman. The woman attempted to dive over a railing to a three-story fall headfirst. Without hesitation, Hudspeth grabbed the woman before she went over the railing and with the assistance of the firefighter, was able to pull her to safety.
■ Lifesaving Award
Officer Wayne Butler
On April 26, 2020, Butler was on patrol near the roundabout of State Route 179 and Chapel Road when he heard tires screeching and witnessed a bicyclist vs. vehicle accident. Butler positioned his patrol car to block traffic and began CPR after not finding a pulse on the woman. SFD took over and the woman was transported by helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she later recovered.
■ Lifesaving Commendation
Officers Catherine Beers and Steven Willadsen
On Jan. 27, 2020, a call of a medical situation came in on Lower Red Rock Loop Road. When Beers arrived she found a man with cold, pale skin and very shallow breathing. She also noticed drug paraphernalia in the car, which indicated a possible drug overdose. She pulled him from the vehicle as Willadsen arrived. Beers told Willadsen it was a drug overdose and they needed to give the man Narcan. Willadsen did so and the man regained consciousness as SFD arrived.
■ Medal of Courage and Commendation
Sgt. Casey Pelletier, Officers William Hunt and Kevin Hudspeth
On Jan. 20, 2020, Pelletier, Hunt and Hudspeth responded to a call from a woman who said a man came after her with a large machete held over his head. On scene, Hunt and Pelletier gave the suspect, Jonathan Messare, commands to drop the weapon but he refused. He then raised the machete over his head with both hands and walked toward Hunt and Pelletier and refused to obey the commands. Fearing for their lives, Hunt and Pelletier fired at Messare, who died at the scene.
Hunt and Pelletier were presented the Medal of Courage while Hudspeth was awarded a commendation.
“Every officer hopes that they can go an entire career without having to discharge their weapon at another human being,” Husted said. “Tragically in this incident, Officer Hunt and Sgt. Pelletier were forced to use deadly force to protect themselves and others from serious physical harm or death.”
