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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">October 1, 2021</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Jeff Pitts
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.817.5049
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
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<br />Toni Messina
<br />Communications and Outreach Supervisor
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7660
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police Foundation honors Columbia Police Department staff members with annual Employee of the Year Awards</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Police Foundation honored several members of the Columbia Police Department staff with Employee of the Year awards in ceremonies held Wednesday, Sept. 29. The Foundation recognized five employees who, in 2020, demonstrated exceptional performance consistent with standards set by the Foundation (the narrative below is paraphrased from nominations).</span></p>
<p><strong>Civilians of the Year - </strong><strong>Robert "Bob" DeClue and Cathy Rulo</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DeClue and Rulo are custodians for the Columbia Police Department. DeClue has served the Columbia Police Department for over four years and Rulo is quickly approaching her two-year anniversary with the Department.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year, the Foundation recognized </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">two civilian employees because, as a team, they had a critical impact in limiting exposure to the coronavirus by keeping all workspaces inside the Police Department clean and sanitized. They both are known for pausing their own tasks to help their colleagues in the workplace, whether it is moving furniture or filling supplies that have run out. Their positive attitudes contribute to the morale of the entire staff. </span></p>
<p><strong>Rookie of the Year - Officer Jeremiah Owens</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ofc. Owens has served with Columbia Police for just over two years and is assigned to Patrol. Owens is never afraid of a complex call and tirelessly strives to make contact with the public in a non-enforcement way while patrolling his beat. He understands what Columbia policing means. Owens lifts up other officers who are having a rough time and is willing to jump in and help community members and colleagues. He is respectful of the citizens we serve.</span></p>
<p><strong>Supervisor of the Year - Sergeant (Step-Up Lieutenant) Rick Horrell</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sgt. Horrell has been with the Department for more than 21 years, including five years </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">as an unpaid reserve officer and 16 and a half years as a paid police officer. He is currently assigned as a step-up Lieutenant for the Second Shift Red Squad Patrol, supervising both officers and sergeants. Horrell cares greatly about the safety of the community and has earned a reputation for always remaining calm during difficult situations. Horrell is always fair and reasonable in his integrity and honesty toward the public and the officers he supervises. He shows compassion, sympathy and empathy for citizens and people in general. </span></p>
<p><strong>Molly Thomas Bowden Officer of the Year - Detective Mark Fitzgerald</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Det. Fitzgerald has been with the Department for more than nine years. A veteran narcotics detective, Fitzgerald is respected internally, in the community and by other law enforcement agencies. Both civilian and sworn staff seek his advice, and he is always willing to help. Fitzgerald shows extreme compassion for community members who are suffering from drug addiction, interacts directly with families of overdose victims and works to reduce the supply of illegal drugs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nominees in all award categories were judged on their demonstration of integrity, honesty and respect in all their actions. All sworn nominees were judged on how they demonstrated the Columbia policing philosophy in all their actions and how they gave back to the community. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Police Foundation was established in 2002 by former Chief of Police Randy Boehm, the Columbia Police Officers Association and a small group of local leaders to fund urgently needed programs and equipment for the Department. The Foundation Board of Directors includes Department employees and citizens, but only independent citizen members participated in the award selection process. </span></p></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2738">Robert “Bob” DeClue and Cathy Rulo</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2739">Detective Mark Fitzgerald</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2740">Sergeant Rick Horrell</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=2741">Officer Jeremiah Owens</a></div>
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<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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