Officer Robert Velasco
The Stork Award
Honorary Imlay City Police Officer
Imlay City Officers, Greg Hadfield and Ryan Young, made a six-year-old girl with a medical condition an honorary Imlay City Police Officer during a festival at the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds.
Letter of Commendation
Officer Velasco was awarded a Letter of Commendation for rendering lifesaving measures to a man on Father's Day 2024. The Commendation states: “On Sunday, June 15 (Father’s Day) at approximately 3:10 hours, at an address in the City of Imlay City, a 55-year old Imlay City man was reportedly having a cardiac arrest, unconscious and not breathing, in his home. Within minutes, Officer Robert Velasco arrived at the home as the first responder and quickly deployed the A.E.D. (Automatic External Defibrillator) on the resident. Officer Velasco prepared the patient with the AED set-up and delivered one shock as requested by the AED. The shock immediately restored a heartbeat rhythm to the patient, and Officer Velasco stabilized the man until Lapeer County EMS arrived. Upon arrival of EMS, the paramedic crew then prepared one additional AED shock, rendered further first aid, and prepped the man for transportation to McLaren Regional Hospital in Lapeer. The 55-year old Imlay City man is alive today to enjoy life with his family because of the quick response, training, and professionalism Officer Velasco exhibited on June 15. The family, residents, city, and police department are grateful and proud of the quick action Officer Velasco demonstrated on that day.”
United States Department of Defense Patriot Award
In January 2024, Sgt. Sean Leathers received the prestigious United States Department of Defense Patriot Award. Only four awards of this nature are given out each year!
According to Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) an employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Staff Sgt. Glenn Hill, was a part-time ICPD officer, and in the Army National Guard stationed in Guantanamo, Cuba (GITMO) when he wrote a very compelling essay on how Sgt. Leathers' support was personally and professionally exemplary and overall appreciated.
