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Cheyenne PD honors officers for lifesaving actions, crime prevention efforts

Awards highlight lifesaving rescues, crime investigations, and exceptional service

Chief Mark Francisco presents Officer Nicholas Gordon with the Officer of the Year award during the Cheyenne Police Department Awards Ceremony on Jan. 29. (Courtesy of Cheyenne Police Department)

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — More than 60 Cheyenne police officers and staff members were honored for outstanding service during the department’s annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The event, held at the Public Safety Center, was attended by city officials, department members and family members.

Awards were presented in 14 categories, including Officer of the Year, Specialty Officer of the Year, Civilian of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

“Each officer, civilian, and volunteer plays a crucial role in the overall success of our operations and well-being of our community,” Chief Mark Francisco stated in a press release. “The stories that you are hearing today are just a snapshot of the outstanding work that occurs each and every day at the Cheyenne Police Department. It’s important to gather together on an annual basis and celebrate these achievements.”

The ceremony began with Chief Francisco introducing members of his staff who presented awards alongside him, including Lt. Joel Hickerson, Capt. Jared Keslar, Lt. Dan Long, Capt. David Janes, Lt. Adam DeBall, Officer Jesse Horn and Sgt. Kevin Malatesta.

Among those recognized were Officers Nathanial Lucero, Audrey McGraw, Daniel vanSwearingen and Kilian Sweet, who intervened in March to save a man standing on the ledge of a parking garage. Their patience, kindness and quick actions saved the man’s life.

The department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, was presented to Sgt. Zack Johnson and Officers Kilian Sweet and Reece Federer for their extraordinary heroism during a domestic violence incident. Despite facing gunfire, they entered a residence, engaged an armed suspect and saved the victim’s life.

Chief Francisco presented the Chief’s Award to Detective James Pendleton and Lt. Adam Duvall for their contributions to the Detective Bureau. Pendleton was recognized for his work on one of Cheyenne’s most infamous cold cases, the 2015 Coin Shop double homicide. His efforts led to an arrest, and the suspect remains in custody awaiting trial. Duvall, despite not previously serving as a detective, improved case assignment, tracking and closure, contributing to the resolution of the cold case.

The event also recognized longevity awards for career milestones. Officer Pat Johnston was recognized for 15 years of service with the K-9 unit, while Detective Brian Davis received a five-year longevity award for his service with the SWAT team.

Firearms proficiency awards were also presented, with Officer Cole Tompkins earning the Top Shot award with a 93.2% score. Chief Francisco and Officer Timothy Painter also received marksmanship awards.

Physical fitness awards were given to 26 officers who scored above 75% on PT tests. Commendation Awards were presented to Officers Colin Brengman, Blake Martin, Audrey McGraw, Brendan Tait, Jayson Tretter and Benjamin Vapenik for their professional performance.

The Unit Citation award was given to multiple teams, including officers who responded to a violent domestic dispute on May 18, 2024, successfully locating and apprehending the suspect and rescuing the victim. Another Unit Citation was awarded to traffic officers who investigated a record number of fatal and serious injury crashes in 2024, demonstrating exceptional dedication and attention to detail.

Several detectives were recognized for their work in dismantling a fentanyl distribution network in Cheyenne, leading to three federal indictments. Officers involved in safely resolving a dangerous situation at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services were also honored with a Unit Citation.

The Lifesaving Award was presented to Officers McGraw, Sweet, Lucero and vanSwearingen for their efforts in preventing the suicide at the parking garage.

Sergeant Eric Norris was recognized with a Meritorious Service Award for his leadership in the Crime Prevention Team, which played a key role in crime reduction efforts, gang intelligence and theft prevention initiatives.

Detectives Jeremy Walker, Damon Hall and Jeffrey Cover were honored for their investigative work in identifying a suspect in the Coin Shop double homicide.

Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Tom Heritage, a retired detective who contributed to solving the 2015 homicide and is currently assisting in reviewing the department’s last unsolved homicide case.

The 2024 Cheyenne Police Department awards are as follows:

  • Officer of the Year: Officer Nicholas Gordon
  • Specialty Officer of the Year: Detective Matthew Freeman
  • Civilian of the Year: Kaleb Thompson
  • Volunteer of the Year: Tom Heritage
  • Chief’s Award: Lt. Adam Duvall, Detective James Pendleton
  • Medal of Valor: Sgt. Zack Johnson, Officer Reece Federer, Officer Kilian Sweet
  • Meritorious Service Awards: Sgt. Eric Norris; Detectives Jeremy Walker, Damon Hall, Jeffrey Cover; Officers Mark Ehlman, Kilian Sweet
  • Lifesaving Award: Officers Nathanial Lucero, Audrey McGraw, Daniel vanSwearingen, Kilian Sweet
  • Unit Citations: Officers Salofi Gaoa, Nathanial Lucero, Nathan Marshall, Joseph Rodriquez, Brian Wiltjer, Robert Wingeleth; Sgt. Matthew Colson; SFC Ryan Trimble; Officer Mark Ehlman; Officer Lisa Koeppel; Officer Cole Tompkins; Officer James Womack; Detectives Matthew Freeman, Craig Sanne, Sean Smith, Ty Volin; Officers Timothy Painter, David Inman, Matthew Ryan, Robert Wingeleth; Officers Lucas Bray, Kacey Fuller, Talmage Peden, Jeremiah Keslar, Audrey McGraw, Kilian Sweet, Jayson Tretter, Nancy Cruff, Charles Cruff, Andrea Gold, Joseph Ordway
  • Commendation Awards: Officers Colin Brengman, Blake Martin, Audrey McGraw, Brendan Tait, Jayson Tretter, Benjamin Vapenik
  • Longevity Awards: Officer Pat Johnston (15 years/K-9 Unit), Detective Brian Davis (five years/SWAT)
  • Top Shot: Officer Cole Tompkins
  • Marksmanship Awards: Chief Mark Francisco, Officer Timothy Painter
  • Physical Fitness Awards: Sgt. Zac Bentley; Detectives Aaron Willmarth, Matthew Freeman, Matthew Ryan, Ty Volin; SROs Ian Lohnes, Micah Veniegas, Mike Fernandez; Officers Blake Martin, Brian Ahearn, Brian Davis, Daelan Morris, Daniel vanSwearingen, David Inman, Eric Smale, James McClaskey, Jesse Horne, Jim Eddy, Justin Young, Kaitlin Peterson, Kilian Sweet, Marcus Hairston-Payton, Nathanial Lucero, Nicholas Gordon, Reece Federer, Timothy Painter

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