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Federal Way Police Department Chief Andy Hwang and command staff recognized employees who exceeded expectations in the past year during the department’s Employee of the Year Awards ceremony Tuesday. The ceremony is an opportunity to allow members of the department to share its recognition with all department members and their families. This year’s winners are:
Civilian employee of the year
Staci Alexander, administrative assistant Criminal Investigations Section
According to FWPD, Alexander’s positive attitude resonates throughout the section as her efforts consistently free up detectives to investigate felony crimes. She is a dedicated member of the CIS team, proving her value through dedicated performance.
Officer of the year
Robert Riggles, corporal
Riggles has distinguished himself this year by demonstrating exceptional police work on swing shift. He routinely participates in SWAT-related training, multi-agency active-shooter training exercises and fulfills his supervisory corporal duties with diligence and professionalism.
Detective of the year
Richard Kim, detective
Kim’s qualifications for this award are a result of his exceptional performance and dedication to the Criminal Investigations Section. Because of his skills, knowledge and investigative expertise as a core detective, he is routinely assigned the most serious of criminal cases. His distinctive accomplishments and unselfish dedication to the police department’s mission is a credit to law enforcement and the department. Supervisor of the year
Kurt Schwan, Lieutenant, Traffic Unit
Schwan is an exemplary leader of the traffic unit; he also represents FWPD in regional positions related to his assignment. He is heavily involved in the Nick and Derek project and Target Zero emphasis. Due to his regional presence, he was requested to serve as the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s law enforcement liaison.
This position allows him to impact regional enforcement efforts through his leadership.
Additionally, Schwan has been able to secure significant amounts of additional grant funding for traffic-related enforcement in Federal Way. He was also selected this year to take part in a Washington Traffic Safety Commission Pedestrian Safety Advisory Council.
Most Valuable Player Award — Exceeding expectations in all patrol areas
Clint March, police officer
March was involved in several investigations where his judgment and quick actions were essential in bringing the cases to successful conclusions. While he is still relatively new to policing, his diligence and enthusiasm for his profession serve the agency well. He has proven himself to be an asset to his squad, the police department and city.
Certificate of Merit
Jeffery Otto, corporal
Police Chief’s Citizen Citation
AJ Otto
Acquaintances of Cpl. Jeff Otto and his wife, AJ, were in the process of moving from Federal Way to Florida when their moving truck was stolen along with all of their belongings. They called 911 and reported the crime, but the truck was not found. A “Find-My-Phone” software app showed that one of their computers was near Georgetown in Seattle, and the Ottos, armed with this information, drove out to the commercial area where the computer had last “pinged.” Otto was not able to locate the truck.
A few days later, employees at a Tacoma store found some of the stolen documents. The Ottos went to recover the documents. Rather than simply picking up the documents and leaving, the Ottos dug deeper and discovered that a large number of stolen belongings had been thrown into a trash dumpster near the store.
They went above and beyond the call of duty by crawling into the dumpster to recover stolen items. They found wedding photos, year books, credit cards, children’s passports, personal documents and paperwork, home videos, checkbooks and baby photos.
Both Jeff and AJ represent what is good about the community and the police department. Jeff went above and beyond the call of duty, and AJ, as a member of the community, contributed significantly to police-community relations.
Certificate of Merit
Andrew Sederberg, police officer
During 2016, Sederberg has been a valuable member of B Squad, demonstrating a tremendous work ethic.
Despite the high volume of work he has accomplished, he routinely is first to answer up to back an out-of-sector car that needs assistance.
He had an exceptional year and clearly distinguished himself through outstanding performance in a variety of ways.
Life-Saving Award
Jeffrey Mundell, police officer
At about 11:55 hours on March 27, Mundell was dispatched to a Marine Hills Way address for a 2-year-old child who was found in a swimming pool unconscious and unresponsive. He quickly responded so he could render aid. When he arrived, he was met by family members yelling out a window for him to come upstairs, where the child was receiving CPR in a bedroom. Mundell assisted with CPR while assessing the victim’s condition. He provided calm leadership and direction that was critical during the first minutes of this emergency. His exceptional performance and service to this family is a credit to law enforcement and Federal Way. The 2-year-old victim made a full recovery.
Justin Antholt, police officer
A 1:07 a.m., Dec. 21, 2015, Antholt was dispatched to a CPR in progress. Family members witnessed the patient go into cardiac arrest and immediately began CPR. Upon arrival, he placed the automated external defibrillator on the patient and a shock was advised. After the automated external defibrillator shock was delivered, and prior to medical personnel arrival, the patient regained a pulse and began breathing.
The patient was later transported to St. Francis Hospital for further medical treatment.
The automated external defibrillator application occurred eight minutes after the 911 call, and Antholt delivered the shock approximately four and a half minutes prior to medical personnel arrival.
His quick actions, outstanding performance during a very stressful situation and willingness to carry and be trained to use an automated external defibrillator made all the difference for this person.
Michael Henrich, police officer
At approximately 2:03 a.m. Aug. 16, Henrich was dispatched to the call of a CPR in progress.
Upon arrival, he deployed his automated external defibrillator, and a shock was administered. After delivering the shock, the patient regained a pulse and began breathing on his own. The patient was later transported to the hospital with a stable blood pressure. Henrich’s quick actions, outstanding performance during a very stressful situation and his willingness to carry and be trained to use an automated external defibrillator made all the difference for this person.
Christopher Mickelsen, police officer
At 5:07 p.m., Nov. 23, 2015, Mickelsen responded to Wendy’s at 2216 S. 320th St. on a report of trespassers.
Upon arrival, he found a 24-year-old female unresponsive in a vehicle.
After determining that the woman had no pulse and was not breathing, Mickelsen started CPR. The woman began breathing and regained a pulse prior to fire personnel arriving.
Also at 9:01 p.m. Nov. 23, 2015, he responded to 33035 22nd Place S. on a report of CPR in progress. Mickelsen arrived prior to fire and medical personnel and determined the victim had choked on food and subsequently went into cardiac arrest.
He began CPR and continued efforts for seven minutes. Medics arrived and transported the 64-year-old victim to the hospital and later reported the victim was breathing on her own.
In both cases, just hours apart, Mickelsen’s quick thinking and CPR skills saved both victims lives.
