Plattsmouth Police Department (PPD) Chief Steve Rathman recently honored three PPD officers for their professionalism and dedication to their work.
Officer Neal Thomas was awarded a PPD Letter of Commendation for his diligent investigation March 15 of a previously reported fuel theft from Hy-Vee gas station. His keen observation resulted in the arrest of two suspects in gasoline thefts from the Hy-Vee gas station off of Highway 75.
According to the letter, signed by Rathman, “Officer Thomas had reviewed surveillance video from at least one of the previous incidences of theft that occurred on Dec. 20, 2015.”
Later that day, the letter states, Thomas was at the gas station for another matter when he saw an individual wearing the same jacket as the suspect on the video he had viewed. “Officer Thomas contacted the subject and through the investigation located numerous gift cards that contained stolen credit card numbers on the magnetic strip,” the letter states. “The subject was detained for further investigation.”
While Thomas was still at the station continuing his investigation, he saw a vehicle drive by that matched the vehicle in the video used in a theft earlier that day. “Officers canvassed the area and eventually located the vehicle, which contained an additional gift card that contained stolen credit card information on the magnetic strip,” the letter states. “A second check of the surveillance video confirmed that this was the vehicle involved in the theft.”
Officers Eva Petersen and Todd Hammond both earned PPD Distinguished Service Awards.
Petersen was commended for her professionalism when confronted with the potential use of deadly force against officers July 29.
“Petersen responded to a call of a mentally distraught individual,” the award states. “During the threat and once the threat ended, Officer Petersen continued to perform her duties in a controlled and professional manner providing for safety and control of the scene.
The award recognized Petersen for her outstanding judgment and self-constraint during this “chaotic, life-threatening event.”
“Her actions were directly related in the positive outcome of this incident,” the award states.
Along with Petersen, Officer Hammond also responded to the incident on July 29.
“Upon arrival contact was made with a male subject in a vehicle claiming to have a gun,” the award states. “Officer Hammond acted in a highly professional manner when confronted with the potential use of deadly force against officers at the scene,” the award states.
Throughout the incident and following it, Hammond continued “to perform his duties in a controlled and professional manner providing for safety and control of the scene.”
He was lauded for exercising outstanding judgment and self-constraint during this chaotic, life-threatening event. His actions were also credited to the positive outcome of this incident.