Citizens Appreciate Police Awards Program
Police work is too often a thankless job. Officers risk their lives every day serving and protecting us. However, the news media tends to focus on the negatives in law enforcement. Stories about police officers going out of their way to help the public are rarely reported. And yet, every day our officers demonstrate compassion and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of the citizens they serve.
Citizens Appreciate Police (CAP) honors members of the Denver Police Department who provide service to the community above and beyond the regular call of duty.
The mission of the CAP Board is to seek out and publicly acknowledge these deserving officers. The CAP Award consists of a pin that is worn on the officer's uniform and a plaque. Presentations of the awards take place four times a year in the conference room of the Chief of Police.
Formed in 1978 by Mayor Bill McNichols and District Attorney Dale Tooley, CAP is a non-profit organization (independent of the Denver Police Foundation) that recognizes achievements of Denver police officers in serving the public. CAP seeks to promote awareness within the community of the dedication displayed regularly by members of the Denver Police Department.
Nominations for the CAP Award are selected primarily from letters to the Chief of Police from private citizens commending an officer for his or her actions while either on or off duty.
More than 200 members of the Denver Police Department have received the CAP Award. We believe that many more of our officers deserve recognition. Citizens are invited to write to the CAP Board to nominate an officer who you feel deserves consideration for the CAP Award.
History of Citizens Appreciate Police
On July 19, 1978, at the instigation of Mayor Bill McNichols and Denver District Attorney Dale Tooley 13 notable citizens of Denver joined them in organizing Citizens Appreciate Police.
The first President of the Board was W. Scott Moore, Vice President of Ideal Basic Industries. Syl Morgan-Smith of Rockwell International became CAP's first Vice President. Carrie McDonald, the Criminal Justice Chair of the Junior League and Dr. Gilbert Maestas were elected Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. The remaining Board Members were:
Jean Bain, Former State Legislator
Elvin Caldwell, City Councilmember
Laura DeHerrera, State Representative
Rex Jennings, President-Denver Chamber of Commerce
Dick Kaye, President of Lloyd's Furs
Wendell Liggins, Reverend
Ed Romero, KBNO radio
Arthur Dill, Denver Chief of Police
Bill Himmelmann, President, Denver Area Labor Federation
On August 4, 1978, the CAP logo was unveiled, along with the Board and its objectives during a press conference in the Mayor's office. The stated goal was "to give positive reinforcement and public recognition to deserving achievements of police officers in Denver, thereby developing better understanding between the community and its police officers."
CAP memberships were offered for $1.00 each. Those who joined received a membership card and a window decal. While all Board Members solicited memberships, none equaled the Mayor and District Attorney, who seemed to compete for signing up the most members between meetings.
Media reports included the CAP address, and nominations flowed in almost immediately. Ms. DeHerrera chaired the first selections committee. Mr. Himmelmann was assigned to design the award pin, the first ever non-department commendation approved for display on the Denver Police Officer's uniform.
The first award ceremony was held on September 6, 1978. Officers Buckley Stewart and James Gropp were the first to receive the CAP Award, a ribbon-sized brushed metal pin with red, white and blue engraved letters superimposing CAP over COP to read CAP-COP.
Since inception, more than 200 officers have been honored. The names of all the recipients are inscribed on plaques in the Chiefs conference room; many of these officers have gone on to positions of leadership within the department. In fact, current Chief of Police Gerald Whitman is a CAP Award recipient.
In recent years, the pin has been redesigned to duplicate the original logo. New Board Members have continued to bring changes and improvements to the organization, consistent with those in the community. Today, the Board remains similar in size and dedicated to its founder's purpose of developing better understanding between the
How to Nominate an Officer
Nominations for the CAP Award come primarily from letters to the Chief of Police from private citizens commending an officer for their actions while either on or off duty. To submit a nomination directly, letters may be sent to: Citizens Appreciate Police, 1331 Cherokee Street, Room 402, Denver, CO 80204.
2008 CAP Award Winners
Officers Gregory Gentry (97008) and Robert Hart (97019) will be recognized for their continued efforts with a troubled area in the 1500 block of Eudora Street. Residents sent numerous letters of appreciation relaying their thanks for the officers' attention, hard work and immediate response to their calls of concerns and looking out for the welfare of the children involved.
Officer William Monahan (82077) for his assistance he provided to an international traveler flying into DIA from Munich. The passenger was on his way to Las Vegas with items from Germany which airport staff determined he could not take with him because it was too much weight for a national flight. The passenger tried to mail the items to his address in Colorado, but the post office staff was not helpful with his request. Officer Monahan realized how frustrated the passenger was and offered to hold the items for him and he could come and pick them up when he returned from Las Vegas. The passenger was very grateful for the officer's assistance.
Corporal Kevin Malloy (99046) - A distressed and frustrated 75 year old woman had been notified that her son had been found DOA, was unable to successfully get signed forms to the funeral home. Corporal Malloy, unable to fax the forms from the police district station, took the forms to Kinkos knowing that the mom didn't need any more stress in her life at that point (her husband had died this past spring and she and her daughter stated they were not over that yet).
Officers Mary McIver (00117) and Rafael Gonzalez (04078) responded to a burglary in progress. Upon their arrival, the suspect already fled the scene. The suspect tried to gain entry by prying open the back door. Officers recognized that the handicapped victim was struggling to take care of things and pooled their money, purchasing a new lock for her damaged door and enlisted the help of the Fire Department, who without hesitation, helped with the installation of the new lock.
Officer Marisa Willcockson (98057) for her assistance she provided to a stranded female motorist and her two daughters. The trailer the motorist was towing had a flat tire and despite several calls to towing companies and AAA, was unsuccessful to locate someone who could replace the tire. Officer Willcockson arrived and took one of the daughters to the police district to use the restroom. When Officer Willcockson returned, she contacted Extreme Towing and persuaded the driver to remove the tire and stand by while she took the flat tire and the older daughter to an auto parts store to buy a new tire in the right size. Officer Willcockson had the tow driver put the new tire on and saw the family safely on their way.
CAP Board of Directors
Arthur McDermott, President / Treasurer
Alvina Crouse, Vice President
Karen Holder, Board Secretary
Irv Brown
Ben Carter
Bill Himmelmann
Anna Lee Hindes
Sherry Jackson
Chuck Lepley
Joe Negri
David Quinones
Dan Villescas