<div style="margin-top: 20px;"><img src="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/citylogo-police.png" alt="City of Columbia Missouri Police Department" width="175" height="101" style="margin-right: 5px;">
<img src="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/policelogo.png" alt="Police Department" width="98" height="121" style="float: right; margin-right: 0px; margin-left:20px;">
<div style="padding-top:40px;
text-align:center;">
<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
<br />
Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
</div>
<div style="clear:both; text-align:center; padding-top: 20px;">
<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">July 7, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Christian Tabak
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.289.9516
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
<br />
<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>
</div>
<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 with annual Employee of the Year Awards, July 7</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - The Columbia Police Foundation honored several members of the Columbia Police Department during the annual Employee of the Year awards ceremony held July 7. The Foundation recognized four employees who, in 2021, demonstrated exceptional performance consistent with standards set by the Foundation.<br /><br />"I am thankful for the Foundation’s sponsorship of these awards," said Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones. "The award winners bring passion and dedication to their jobs, and I am honored to work with them. It is great to have the opportunity to recognize those who stand out by going above and beyond. These are people who are dedicated to keeping Columbia safe, and I am humbled by the good work I see each day."<br /><br />The narratives accompanying the following award recipients are paraphrased from the nominations received by the Foundation:<br /><br /><strong>Civilian
of the Year - Stephanie Stenger</strong><br /><br />Stephanie Stenger has been part of the Department’s Administration Unit since 2014, working in multiple positions over the years and establishing a reputation for being the "go-to person" when you need something done.<br /><br />Throughout 2021, Stenger proved one of the few constants during a time of significant change in the Department. For several months she filled three positions within the Department’s Administration Unit without complaint and was also able to complete the necessary tasks for each position. For this reason and more, Stenger was identified as an "integral part" of what kept the Department’s administration running efficiently throughout 2021.<br /><br /><strong>Rookie of the Year - Gardner Pottorff</strong> <br /><br />While Officer Gradner Pottorff has only been with the Department since 2020, his dedication and professionalism have already made him standout as what
some describe as a "model officer."<br /><br />Recognized as being mature beyond his rookie status, Pottorff is known for having exceptional drive, being very proactive and being willing to take on extra duty during times of significant need. His colleagues regularly say they enjoy working with him.<br /><br /><strong>Supervisor of the Year - Matt Gremore</strong> <br /><br />Sgt. Matt Gremore has worked for the Department since 2006 and has continued to stand out as a supervisor since being promoted to sergeant in 2018. Described as "the first to arrive and last to leave," he is considered to be a true leader at the Department whose proactive style has boosted morale in his unit.<br /> <br />As a supervisor in the Criminal Investigations Division, Gremore is known for not being afraid to "get in the weeds" with those who report to him, and he does not ask anyone he supervises to do anything he isn’t willing to do himself. During his time w
ith the Property Crimes Unit, he developed a highly successful community engagement program designed to prevent thefts from vehicles. His assertive and productive investigative style has made him standout as a detective.<br /> <br /><strong>Molly Thomas Bowden Officer of the Year - Treveyon Gayton</strong> <br /><br />Since joining the Department in 2017, Officer Treveyon Gayton has continued to stand out for his dedicated service and the caring professionalism he demonstrates as he interacts with the community. Gayton’s colleagues describe him as a "Total Cop," an officer capable of making a felony arrest in an intense situation and transitioning to interacting with a school kid in a friendly manner. He is known for being a hard worker who never complains about the workload and who gives back to the community.<br /><br />Nominees in all award categories were judged on their demonstration of integrity, honesty and respect in all their actions. All sworn nomine
es were judged on how they demonstrated the Columbia policing philosophy in all their actions and how they gave back to the community. <br /><br />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 Columbia and other law enforcement agencies in Boone County. The Foundation Board of Directors includes Department employees and citizens, but only independent citizen members participated in the award selection process.</div>
<br />
<div class="content"></div>
<br />
<div class="attachments"></div>
</div>
<div id="footerline">
<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
</div>
<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
</div>
<style>
#pressrelease{ margin:20px; margin-top: 0px;}
.attachments{margin-top: -10px;}
@media print {
body {font-size: 90%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;}
#pressrelease{ margin: 0px; }
}
</style><p><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=8105">View this press release on CoMO.gov or access a sharable link.</a></p><p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of Columbia's Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>Archived press releases can be viewed online at:
https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/directory.php</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and follow the instructions provided at https://www.como.gov/Web_Mail/ </p><style>div{margin: 10px;}</style>