A message from Chief John W Stacey Winter, 2009/10
A new set of challenges faces the community and the police department,
as the cold and snowy weather moves in. Don’t let it catch you off guard; take some time to prepare
now. Begin with your home and have your furnace checked out by a professional.
The Bellevue Police Department responds to several carbon monoxide calls
each winter that are generally preventable with an annual checkup, and routine maintenance of your heating
system. Particularly this year, with the heightened emphasis on flu viruses, carbon monoxide poisoning is
too often mistaken for a flu virus, as the symptoms are similar. This is especially important for the elderly.
Take some time to check on an elderly friend, neighbor or relative to insure they have an adequate, functioning
heating system, as well as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Spend some time on your vehicle, as well. Have a couple of ice scrapers,
a blanket, a candle, and matches within the vehicle. Conduct some preventive maintenance before it gets
cold. Check your tires, make sure that they are properly inflated and have the adequate tread surface.
Have your antifreeze, oil and battery checked and serviced. Have all of your door locks lubricated with
a non-freezing lubrication. Historically, criminals see cold weather as an easy opportunity to steal cars
and property inside of cars that are left running and unlocked. Some are left unlocked, due to improperly
working locks. Be especially careful during the holiday shopping season. If you have a trunk, clean it
out now and use the space to place all of your merchandise while holiday shopping. Leaving packages in
plain view inside of your vehicle becomes an easy target for thieves and very disappointing for shoppers.
For additional information or tips, feel free to contact the Bellevue Police Crime Prevention Unit at
293-3071.
Check our homepage often. We update it regularly with stories about special
BPD events. We are proud of the work we do and equally proud to share information about what we do with
you, and we constantly strive to improve our service to the City of Bellevue. If you have any comments on
how we can improve police service to the community, please email me personally at john[dot]stacey[at]bellevue[dot]net. If
you have suggestions as to how our website can serve you better, please contact Lt Mark Elbert at
mark[dot]elbert[at]bellevue[dot]net.
Officer Stuck Named 2009 Bellevue Police Officer of the Year
The
Bellevue Police Department is extremely proud to announce its
Officer of the Year for 2009. Officer Stuck has earned this honor because of his outstanding
performance during the course of the year. Officer Stuck had been named the
Officer of the Year in 2005.
The selection of the Officer of the Year was made by the Excellence in Law Enforcement Committee.
The announcement of the Officer of the Year was made by Chief John Stacey at BPD’s annual Police
banquet on February 6th.
Officer Stuck was instrumental in several narcotics related arrests that
covered several states from Missouri to Arizona. Stuck coordinated with numerous local, state,
and federal agencies. As a result of his diligence and tenacious attitude, an international drug
trafficking ring that involved local criminal gangs was eradicated. His actions also resulted in
successful narcotic enforcement operations in Arizona.
Stuck was commended by a national police training institution for his "Dedication,
professionalism, dynamic work ethic, and commitment to excellence in training" as a defensive
tactics instructor. He displayed passion and uncompromising commitment to bringing the very best
to law enforcement training.
Officer Stuck culminated his year with the arrests of 11 suspects from an
investigation that he had been working for over 18 months with several 15 and 16 hour days.
The investigation netted the largest money and property seizure on record for the Bellevue
Police Department. This worked carried over to a plot to attack and kill a citizen and a
lawyer, smuggling of contraband into a jail that were all interrupted as a result of his actions.
This website includes more information about Officers of the Year going back to 1988
as well as many other awards and accomplishments. View the Awards
pages within About Us for complete
descriptions of awards and the officers who earned them.
Photo: Officer Stuck, 2009 Officer of the Year
Officer Franks Is Officer of the Quarter
Officer Franks has been named Bellevue Police Department's "Officer
of the Quarter" for the fourth quarter of the year. Four times each year the department selects one officer who has
demonstrated performance above and beyond that which is routinely expected. Officers are nominated by
their supervisor or a commanding officer.
Officer Franks was named OTQ because of his exemplary work as a K9 handler as well as work on other cases
beyond his responsibilities as a dog handler.
In its memo to the Chief, the Excellent in Law Enforcement Committee called Franks a
phenomnal dog handler and stated, "He is remarkably disciplined and his dedication to his profession
is unquestionable. He has been an active K9 handler for more than four years and has been with Spike
for over three. In that time his efforts have led to an untold number of arrests that would not have
been possible without him."
Full details about Frank's work in his selection as the OTQ are available on this website in the
Awards pages. Please click "OTQ".
Detective Legband and Officers Brewer and Meyer received honorable mentions for the award.
This website includes more information about Officers of the Quarter going back to 2000 as well as
many other awards and accomplishments.
Photo: Officer Franks with PSD Spike
Fundraiser to help BPD's Sgt Laufenberg pay medical bills
Sergeant Michael Laufenberg has been a member of the Bellevue Police
Department since 1984. Today he is unable to work because he is recuperating from major
surgery and severe illness. His medical bills are about to surpass his maximum lifetime
limit with the insurance company. In order to support Sgt Laufenberg and his family the
Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 59 are raising
funds with an event on January 24th. It will include a Spaghetti dinner for those making
donations as well as a silent auction and raffle.
Citizens are invited to attend. Minimum donations for the dinner are set
at $10 for adults and $6 for children. New items for the silent auction are also welcome.
Make arrangements by calling Juanita Dixon or Jody Vaughn at 293-3172 or Jayme Krueger at
293-3086.
BPD Chief John Stacey said the support shown by the community is truly
gratifying. "It doesn’t surprise me at all that people from the extended BPD family are
coming together to support Mike. That’s what it means to live in Bellevue and I’m proud to
play even a small part in this event."
Laufenberg has also been a volunteer firefighter since 1977 and was employed
with the city’s Parks Department before becoming a police officer. In addition, his son Micah
serves as a volunteer firefighter, and daughter Nikki works as a front-desk receptionist for
the Police Department.
Sergeant Mike Laufenberg
All stories previously published on this homepage can be found in the story archive.
The
Bellevue Police Department is extremely proud to announce its 
