SPD DETECTIVE NAMED OFFICER OF THE YEAR
K-9 Glock memorialized with slide show, flag presentation
“Being a law enforcement officer and part of the law enforcement team is more than just a job. It’s an identity and a lifestyle, and there is nothing else like it.”
That’s how Sterling Police Chief Tyson Kerr welcomed members of his department, their families and guests at the annual SPD Recognition Banquet Friday.
“While it is certainly a rewarding career in the ever changing and evolving environment, it is also extremely complex, dynamic, challenging and difficult, to say the least.”
The annual fete recognizes department personnel who have rendered outstanding service during the previous year, almost always above and beyond the call of duty. This year Det. Mike Zordani received the Officer of the Year Award for his ability to make connections with people he encounters on the job.
“One of the biggest values I have observed with Det. Zordani is that he takes the time to speak with people during calls,” Kerr said. “He doesn’t just try to get through the call as quickly as he can. He makes connections with our citizens so they are much more than transactional. By doing this, Det. Zordani is able to build rapport, making them feel more comfortable and ultimately leading to a more positive experience for them and all in our community.”
Prior to the awards, however, Kerr took time to memorialize one of the department’s most popular officers, K-9 Glock, a Dutch Shepherd who joined the department in 2014 and retired in 2022. After retirement Glock went to live with his last handler, Officer Makayla Chartier, and her family until he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in December of 2023. After a brief slide show of Glock’s career with SPD, Kerr presented a clearly emo
tional Chartier with a ceremonial trifold flag embedded with the badge from Glock’s harness.
Jasper Boyce, a member of the department’s Explorer post, was awarded the Youth Award. Kerr said Boyce mentors the younger Explorers, among his many duties in the post, and volunteers for many of the department’s community-oriented events.
Brandon Parks of Sterling was awarded the Community Service Award for assistance he rendered to Cpl. Danyelle Hass in arresting a suspect with multiple arrest warrants. Kerr said Parks saw Hass trying to stop the suspect, who was fleeing on a bicycle while Hass was trying to get her car turned around to pursue. Parks stopped his car and got out, stepping in front of the fugitive and holding the person on the ground until Hass could arrive and make the arrest.
“Mr. Parks acted courageously without direction from any officers,” Kerr said. “Through his actions a fleeing suspect with multiple warrants was safely taken into custody, greatly assisting the officer and the Sterling Police Department in its mission.”
Records Supervisor Danyel Cullip received the Civilian Employee of the Year Award. Cullip is a 25year veteran of the department, she is liaison with other departments, the courts, district attorney’s office and other agencies. Additionally, Cullip performs information technology duties for the city.
“She is the proverbial glue that holds this department together,” Kerr said. “It goes without saying that without her dedication, hard work and vigilance, things could become very difficult. What she brings to the department and the city is difficult to quantify.”
The Lifesaving Award went to Sgt. James Rank and Cpl. Danyelle Hass. The two had responded to the Sterling Middle School practice fields where a man had collapsed and CPR was being done. Hass continued CPR while Rank retrieved his automated external defibrillator from his car. The AED indicated a shock was needed and Rank administered it, reviving the victim. Sterling Fire and EMS personnel arrived at that time and took over. When the patient was loaded into the ambulance, Kerr said, he was conscious and alert.
“Without the actions of Sgt. Rank and (Cpl.) Hass the victim may not have survived,” Kerr said. “Your actions are commendable and you represent what law enforcement and our agency is about.”
There followed a slide show about the year in review at SPD, on the theme of “Pillars of Support.”
In closing, Kerr reminded his department of the importance of what they do on a daily basis.
“Everything we do in life, going about out business knowing we are safe, that sense of security is because of you, the police officer,” he said. “If there isn’t a feeling of safety in our communities, there is no quality of life.”