The bravery of Edmonds police and its residents was on full display Monday night when the Edmonds Police Department held its annual department awards ceremony, honoring police officers, civilian employees and citizens for their contributions to a safer community in 2009.
The top award — the Chief David N. Stern Memorial Officer of the Year — was presented to Officer Timothy E. Dreyer, a 30-year department veteran who “has left an indelible mark on countless officers and supervisors throughout his career,” said Edmonds Police Sgt. Mike Blackburn in remarks accompanying the announcement. “His range and depth of experience is unparalleled, making his ability to properly respond to anything from routine calls to life and death emergencies essentially just another day’s work.”
During his career, Dreyer has served with the department’s K9 unit and the proactive patrol unit aimed at addressing gangs, prostitution and narcotics dealers. He also is the most senior and longest-serving member of the South Snohomish County SWAT team, formed in 1989, and has participated in almost every SWAT mission.
By choice, Dreyer has served as a field officer, patrolling the streets throughout his career, Blackburn noted. “He has selflessly dedicated himself to supporting and mentoring other members of the department while also providing exceptional service to the citizens of Edmonds.”
The Police Officer of the Year award is named for the late Edmonds Police Chief David Stern, who passed away in 2007. Presenting the award to Dreyer was Stern’s widow, Darlene, and Doug Purcell of the Edmonds Rotary Club, where Stern was active prior to his death.
Other award winners included:
Officer Linda Mack, Award of Excellence, for her work in the department’s traffic unit, where she focuses on apprehending DUI drivers. In 2009, Mack led the department with 21 DUI arrests.
Lynnette K. Mandeville, Non-Commissioned Employee of the Year, who has been the department’s property officer since 2005. Mandeville created a comprehensive property and evidence manual that has become the model for the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Donald L. Burlingame, Citizen Service Citation. Burlingame, the former night manager of the K & E Motel
on Highway 99, for 10 1/2 years “was always attentive to activities occurring along the 24000 block of SR 99 by vigilantly sitting watch from his office window with a police scanner audible in the background, ” Blackburn said. “His efforts are documented in 46 case reports of which 22 resulted in arrests at the scene, including charges for malicious mischief, prostitution, narcotics, various warrants, assaults, domestic violence, burglary, rape, DUI and the recovery of numerous runaways and stolen vehicles.”
Robert Preston, Citizen Service Citation. Preston was recognized for his efforts to save a fire victim in his condominium complex.
The following officers/firefighters received letters of commendation:
Edmonds officers Anthony Collins and Douglas Compton, who saved the life of a man who had overdosed on heroin.
Edmonds officer Justin Lee, Sgt. Karl Roth and firefighter/paramedic Brian Schleicher, who rescued a woman from a car that had driven over an embankment in the Highland Park area.
Edmonds officers Ryan Speer and Nathaniel Rossi, who saved the life of a man found floating face down in the water south of the Edmonds ferry terminal.
Officers William Nelson and Linda Mack for their efforts to save a diver in distress at Brackett’s Landing. Citizen Fritz Rivera also received a Citizen Service Citation for his assistance with the rescue.
Edmonds Corporal Damian Smith, Edmonds Officers Stacie Trykar and Nathaniel Rossi and Lynnwood Police Sgt. Jason Valentine, who rescued two people who had fallen through rotten decking and into the water at the condemned Meadowdale Marina.
Citizen Jenna Zaback, an Edmonds-Woodway High School student who was alone in her house when she heard burglars enter, called 911 and hid behind the door in her bedroom as the burglars collected all of the electronic equipment in her house. The suspects were loading the equipment in their vehicle when they heard the police sirens, at which time they fled from the residence. Officer Daniel Lavely observed the vehicle as it pulled out from Zaback’s driveway and was able to find and detain the suspects; Zaback agreed to go with officers to the scene and positively identified two of the suspects who had been in her home. “Due to bravery and calm displayed by Jenna, and the quick actions of Officer Lavely, three serial burglars who had been committing daytime burglaries throughout South Snohomish County were arrested, ” Blackburn said. One of the burglars was later convicted of first degree burglary, while the other two were convicted of second degree burglary. Zaback received a Citizen Service Citation while Lavely received a Letter of Commendation.
Edmonds Sgt. Don Anderson, the department’s Professional Standards Sergeant, who oversees a variety of duties, including public information; Civil Service entry level and lateral hiring lists; hiring of new members after conducting their background investigations; conducting internal affairs investigations; being responsible for maintaining the policy manual; and being the department’s designated accreditation manager.
Officer Linda Mack
Glad to see that you are still in law enforcement. It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since you and I worked undercover narcotics together.
Your friend
Will Abshire aka Agent Ducky
abshirewill@gmail.com