10 10 14 JTF1
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
SERGEANT
Eric Petersen
POLICE OFFICERS
Jerry Murphy
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
Nick Gorgos
Robin Nelson
INVESTIGATIONS
Chad Willson
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
Jennifer Fordham
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
Trista Miller
Lisa Brandt
Becky Pentel
RESERVES
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
CHAPLAINS
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett
Sue Plucker
John Snider
David Wick
OCTOBER 10, 2014
The NaƟonal Law Enforcement Memorial
The NaƟonal Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated on October 15, 1991 to honor
federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have made the ulƟmate sacrifice to
protect our naƟon and keep its people safe. It is located in the 400 block of E Street NW,
Washington D.C..
The memorial features two curving, 304‐foot‐long blue‐gray marble walls. Carved on the walls
are the names of more than 20,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty in the U.S.
daƟng back to the first known death in 1791. Unlike many other memorials in Washington D.C.
the NaƟonal Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is always changing as new names of fallen
officers are added to the monument each spring in conjuncƟon with NaƟonal Police Week.
The Memorial was designed by architect Davis Buckley and sits on three acres of federal park
land. Each April more than 10,000 daffodils bloom at the site. Bordering the Memorial ‘s park
are the two tree‐lined “pathways of remembrance” where the names of the fallen officers are
engraved.
A number of commemoraƟve ceremonies are held at the Memorial each year and the site is
visited by nearly 250,000 people each year. For a virtual tour: www.heroesliveforever.com.
WELCOME OFFICER ROBIN NELSON!
Robin, a Roseau, MN naƟve and
Bemidji State University graduate,
joined the department on 9/23/2014.
Prior to joining MHPD, she did an
internship with Bemidji Police
Department and worked as security
at Treasure Island.
Her family came from the far corners
of MN and North Dakota to watch her
get sworn in. Law enforcement is an
important tradiƟon in her family, and
since Robin is their first female
officer, they are excepƟonally proud,
of course. Her boyfriend and many
friends were also there to support
her, along with many members of
MHPD. We are glad you have joined
the team, Robin!
Submitted By: Lisa Brandt
Officer Nelson, #2218, is officially sworn in as a member
of MHPD at the city council meeting on 10/07/2014.
2
3
C a r e l e s s D r i v i n g S a t u r d a y 2 3 : 4 2 h o u r s
Officer Nick Gorgos was conducting traffic enforcement near Interstate 35E and the Wagon Wheel overpass.
He observed a vehicle going 81 MPH in a designated 55 MPH zone. As the vehicle passed Officer Gorgos’
squad car it gave no indication of slowing down. Officer Gorgos pulled the vehicle over and found the driver
plus six other adults in the vehicle. The driver indicated he knew why he was stopped. Officer Gorgos issued
a citation the driver who stated he was going home to tell his mother about the incident.
DWI—Assist Sunday 00:55 hours
Officer Mike Shepard was just clearing a traffic stop assist when he observed a vehicle driving towards him
going the wrong way on a I-494 traffic ramp. Officer Shepard stopped the vehicle and made contact with the
driver who was very apologetic and explained she was unfamiliar with the area and did not realize she was
going the wrong way. Officer Shepard detected alcohol and asked her how much she had to drink. She
denied having anything to drink. Officer Shepard learned the driver’s driving privileges had been suspended.
MN State Trooper Hathaway assisted Officer Shepard in administering field sobriety tests and ultimately
arresting the driver for DWI.
G a s D r i v e - O f f S u n d a y 0 5 : 4 7 h o u r s
Officer Nick Gorgos responded to a gas station on report of a gasoline drive-off. The overnight employee stat-
ed that a white male parked at the gas pump and requested to pay inside after he pumping the gas. The at-
tendant stated he would have to move to a different pump so the employee would be able to see his license
plate. The male complied, pumped the fuel and then drove off without paying. The license plate registers to
a company in Wisconsin with no vehicle description. This case remains under investigation.
M i s s i n g P e r s o n S u n d a y 1 8 : 4 0 h o u r s
Officer Peyton Fleming along with assistance from Officers Bobby Lambert, Nicholas Gorgos, and Tanner
Spicer responded to a residence where the son said his father had left the residence after an argument and
sent a text message that indicated he may harm himself. The father was eventually located unharmed at a
local hotel The father was transported by paramedics to a hospital for a mental health hold.
T h e f t T u e s d a y 1 2 : 0 9 h o u r s
Officer Robin Nelson was dispatched for a theft of an iPhone. The victim stated that he was at a bar the
night before sitting at a table with friends who moved to a different table while he had left to use the
restroom. When he returned his new cell phone was gone. After establishing that none of his friends had
picked up his phone and no one had turned in a phone to the bar he reported the theft to police. There are
no suspects.
4
1. Tug on your child’s
car seat where the
seat belt goes. If it
moves more than 1”
at the base, tighten it
up.
2. Secure furniture and
TV’s. Mount flat
screens and keep
tube TV’s on a stable
base.
3. Check smoke
detectors & CO
alarms monthly.
Replace devices
every 10 years and
batteries every year.
4. Secure all medicine in
your home, purses
and daily reminder
boxes.
5. Check your home for
coin‐sized button
batteries.
6. Ask your child’s
coaches if they have
had concussion or
sports safety
training.
7. Take action against
distraction.
Distraction impacts
driving, walking,
bathing and just
about everything you
do.
Please send us your
positive feedback
on our staff to:
pdrecords@
mendota-heights.com
Your feedback is greatly
appreciated and helps boost
the morale of our staff.
10/03—10/09 2014 YTD
Calls for Service 141 6250
Citations 14 906
Warnings 16 737
Police Reports 19 732
Response Time Average 7.35 5.87
If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on
vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to
keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. The House Check Request
online form is available on our website; we have similar forms in the MHPD lobby
and we will take your info over the phone.
MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment,
call 651.452.1366 to contact Ofϐicer Jennifer Fordham.
MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota
County residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs
and over‐the‐counter medication.
Check out the MH Crime Map!
Click below to search your neighborhood:
https://www.raidsonline.com
1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118
7
A LiƩle Less
Known Child
Safety Tips