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Officer Washburn, 1996 Officer of the Year

Officer David Washburn was selected as the 1996 Officer of the Year. He is a very hard working, professional police officer who takes great pride in the department and his role serving the community. Officer Washburn is frequently commended for his observation skills, effectiveness under stress, attention to duty, and sharp appearance.

Officer Washburn has a great deal of enthusiasm for his duties, arriving at work an hour early each evening to prepare for his shift. He gives meticulous attention to crime bulletins, special reports, daily briefings, and current crime trends in the metro area in order to better serve the residents in his patrol district. Officer Washburn works the night shift and protects his assigned district through aggressive traffic enforcement and careful patrol of the residential neighborhoods and business districts.

Over the past year, Officer Washburn has been either first or second on his team in total contacts. He not only produces a high amount of work but he also delivers high quality work. The following are some examples of his outstanding performance.

In January, he received a letter of thanks from the parents of a runaway. They thanked him for the work that he did for their child.

In February, Officer Washburn stopped a car for running a red light. The car was stolen and contained stolen property from several area stores. Also in February, he discovered a car backed into a stall at a car wash. The two occupants of the vehicle were using drugs. One had a warrant and had cocaine in his possession, while the second was arrested for possession of marijuana.

In April, Officer Washburn received praise from the investigations sergeant for the quality work he accomplished on a case involving the sexual abuse of a child.

In May, the Chief received a letter of thanks for how Officer Washburn counseled two juveniles that were causing a problem for their single-parent mother. Also in May, Washburn was one of five officers who apprehended a violent, armed individual after a stand-off. The suspect had committed numerous acts of violence in Omaha and was confronted by officers when he pulled into the drive of his Bellevue residence. The suspect rammed two cruisers in an attempt to escape, and then remained in his truck when this failed. The suspect was captured after irritant gas was introduced into the vehicle.

In June, Officer Washburn observed a vehicle described in a broadcast as having an occupant armed with a gun. Washburn used excellent tactics in stopping the car and taking the occupant into custody.

In September, there was a drive-by shooting. Officer Washburn did an excellent job aiding the victims, securing the scene, and identifying and interviewing witnesses. The same month, Officer Washburn responded to a convenience store for a beer theft. After completing the report, Washburn did extensive follow-up, identified the suspects, and arrested them.

In October, Officer Washburn was conducting a routine traffic stop when he found two handguns and a small amount of methamphetamine in the vehicle, resulting in the arrest of the three occupants. Later in the month, Washburn caught someone in the act of stealing wooden pallets from the rear of a business.

In November he caught two men prowling a car lot with intentions of stealing property.

In December, Officer Washburn was very compassionate and professional while dealing with a woman who had just found her boyfriend dead by suicide. Also in December, Washburn pursued a stolen vehicle and then the driver on foot, taking him into custody and recovering the car.