Sedona Police Department honors outstanding personnel for 20204 min read

Communications Specialist Johnna Johnson, left, Detective Aldo Or tega, Officer Jesse Santos, Chief Charles Husted, Officer Steven Willadsen, K-9 Officer Jon Reed and Max, Officer William Hunt, Sgt. Casey Pelletier, Officer Catherine Beers, Lt. Stephanie Foley, Officer Kevin Hudspeth, Officer Justin White and Lt. Lucas Wilcoxson pose for a photo after the chief and lieutenants gave awards and commendations to staff on Monday, Dec. 28. The Sedona police awards will now be an annual event, highlighting the work and actions of the department’s staff.

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

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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.”

Ron Eland

Ron Eland has been the assistant managing editor of the Sedona Red Rock News for the past seven years. He started his professional journalism career at the age of 16 and over the past 35 years has worked for newspapers in Nevada, Hawaii, California and Arizona. In his free time he enjoys the outdoors, sports, photography and time with his family and friends.

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Ron Eland has been the assistant managing editor of the Sedona Red Rock News for the past seven years. He started his professional journalism career at the age of 16 and over the past 35 years has worked for newspapers in Nevada, Hawaii, California and Arizona. In his free time he enjoys the outdoors, sports, photography and time with his family and friends.