Stories of Compassion and Dedication in the Strongsville Police Department

Strongsville Patrolman Victor Sereda was in a department store at  mall last September when he encountered a man with a bladder condition.

The man was on a first date with a woman who did not yet know about his medical problem.

So Sereda stepped in. He found the woman and said her date had assisted with a shoplifter, but while helping the police, had gotten coffee spilled on him.

Sereda then helped the man get a new outfit and returned him to his date.

It was reported later that the date went well.

That gesture earned Sereda the Compassion Award from the .

"Officer Sereda showed extreme compassion for this gentleman and his medical issue that not many others would have," the award says.

The Police Department recognized seven of its own this week, plus volunteers and two citizens.

The winners were chosen by a committee of police personnel and were honored at a City Council meeting Monday.

The others:

Professionalism Award -- To Patrolman Phillip Siwik, who was the first on the scene of the brutal ax attack on Hollo Oval last August. "He was able to apprehend the offender, guided others to render first aid and secured the scene, making it safe before other officers were able to arrive on scene," the award says.

Problem-Solving Award -- To Patrolman Andrew Bartlett for his "above-and-beyond work ethic." In June, Bartlett overheard night shift officers talking about finding an abandoned motorcycle on a dead-end road, felt there was more to it and investigated. He learned the owner had been depressed. "He set up a search team and ultimately found the person deceased by suicide. He was able to give closure to the family."

Quality Service Award -- To Patrolman Brian Vlna for his dedication in training other Strongsville officers in defensive tactics, Taser, first aid/CPR and firearms. "He has unselfishly gone the extra mile to make sure our officers are properly trained and can serve and protect safely."

Blue Collar Award -- To Patrolman Brian Sloan for investigating a theft in November in which jewelry and pocket knives were taken from a home. "Though the value of the items was $500, the sentimental value was priceless." Sloan took it upon himself to call a number of pawn shops and was able to locate most of the items, including knives the victim's father had passed down to her.

Blue Collar Award -- To Patrolman Shamus Kelley and his police dog, Achill, for their work in drug interdiction. They assisted a drug task force in March 2011 with linking two suspects to a west coast drug cartel and seizing $393,000, as well as another seizure of $22,000 last May.

Joseph A. Gambino Prosecutor's Award -- To Detective Howard Strong for his detailed investigation of a complex fraud case. The five-month probe into 50 fraudulently used prepaid Visa cards led to the arrest of two suspects.

Citizen Award -- To Charlie Tibbs and Carl Knotts, who on April 17, 2011 noticed a house fire on Royalton Road. "Before emergency services arrived, they kicked in the door and broke out a window to wake the family and assist them out of the house safely." They then alerted a neighbor whose house was in danger from the spreading fire.

VIP Awards -- To Volunteers in Police Service members who put in more than 100 hours a year (bronze) or 150 hours a year (silver). Rand T. Lennox, unit supervisor, received a bronze pin for 2010 and silver for 2011; Joy Smith got bronze pins for both years; and Kris Barnhardt earned a bronze pin for 2011.