A tip of the hat to three deserving APD officers

A helping hand to a mom in need. Shiny new bicycles for two boys who thought their summer was ruined. Free meals for 20 hungry souls.

Those are the generous acts of three Albuquerque police officers.

Such actions can get lost amidst APD headlines about lawsuits, Department of Justice updates and public criticism.

But it’s important to remember the many outstanding officers in the Albuquerque Police Department — men and women who do far more for our community than their job description requires.

The Daniels Fund helped remind us recently of such officers by awarding three with True Blue Awards.

Officer Ladio Canales, a 12-year APD veteran, bought a panhandling mother and her two young children a meal at a local restaurant. After learning of their dire circumstances, he bought and delivered groceries and other necessities to the family and guided the woman toward needed social services.

Officer Paul Haugh, on the force for a decade, encountered two young boys whose bicycles had been stolen from a southeast Albuquerque Walmart. Haugh took the boys into the store, had them pick out new bikes and purchased them for the two, saving their summer.

Detective Thomas Nadas, on the force for four years, was providing security at a South Valley homeless shelter when the electricity went out, leaving 20 hungry people missing out on a meal. Nadas went to a nearby McDonald’s restaurant and bought food for the entire group.

The True Blue Awards, now in their 17th year, included honorary plaques and $100 gift cards to area restaurants.

We would like to add our thanks, officers, for your kind and selfless acts.