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The Tyler Police Department honored its 2017 award winners at a banquet Tuesday night. 

The department honored seven people with  certificates of merit for their work involving a human trafficking case and saving a young woman who was being held against her will at a Tyler hotel.

The victim led officers to other women who were rescued from the human trafficking ring. The work of these officers and the dispatcher who handled the call led to the arrest of three suspects.

For their work in this case, dispatcher Stephanie Smith, Officers Larry Christian, Wes Cook and Andrew Hill, Sgt. Zack Noble, and members of the Vice Unit of Sgt. Darrin Grissom and Detective Greg Harry received certificates of merit. 

Another officer received a certificate of merit for her work detecting some of the people responsible for placing credit card skimming devices on gas pumps in Tyler. Officer Bianca Smedley noticed a pickup parked at a gas pump with a fuel door facing away from the pumps. 

Her familiarity with Latino accents allowed her to recognize the men had Cuban accents. Having had information that the suspects planting skimmers may be Cuban, she wanted to investigate further.

Officers searched the vehicle and found multiple items relating to skimmer devices. Two men were arrested for their involvement in the crime.  

For her work, Smedley was awarded a certificate of merit. 

Honored officers included:

Officer of the Year – Officer Garrett Martin

Rookie of the Year- Officer Abby Rodseth

Plainclothes Officer of the Year- Detective Jeff Roberts

Sworn Supervisor of the Year– Sgt. Ethan Johnson 

Unit of the Year– Youth Crimes Division

Civilian Employee of the Year–  PSO Michael Cox

Civilian Supervisor of the Year– Michelle Foster

Volunteer of the Year – Sandy McClain 

Life Saving Award – Officer Wayne Allen and Officer Pat Mullican

Life Saving Award – Officer April Molina

Life Saving Award – Officer Damon Swan

Life Saving Award – Sgt. Luke Shafer, Sgt. Chad Homer, Officer Rebekah Hutson, Officer Brad Smith and Officer Jessica Doughten 

Police Commendation – Detective Royce Jordan 

Certificate of Merit – FBI Special Agent James Crowell

Certificate of Merit – Property Crimes Unit

Certificate of Merit – Detective Chris Turner

Certificate of Merit – Officer Lee Davis 

Certificate of Merit – Lt. Matthew Smyser

Certificate of Merit – Officer Brennon Ewen

Certificate of Merit – Officer Josh Smedley 

Certificate of Merit – Officer Kerri Long

Certificate of Merit – Officer Bianca Smedley, Officer Lydia Thedford, Sgt. Daniel Richardson and Sgt. Matt Riggle

Certificate of Merit – Officer John Carnes, Officer Mike Goode, Officer Phillip Johnson and Officer John Weaver. 

Certificate of Excellence – Marisa Pittman

Certificate of Civic Achievement – Officer Tish Loftis

Citizens Certificate of Merit – Crystal Wagoner 

Citizens Certificate of Merit – Ken Hartley

Citizens Certificate of Merit – Melissa Smith             

Citizens Certificate of Merit – Terry and Chase Nick 

Citizens Certificate of Merit – Dr. Kevin Scully 

Citizens Certificate of Merit and Certificate of Merit – Nick Jones, Corey McDaniel and Sgt. Noe Balderas