Gallup Police chief awards officers, citizens
By Leslie Wood - Staff Writer


Gallup Police Chief Sylvester Stanley reads the front of an award plaque while honoring Rev. Henry Stokes III, and his wife Sharon Stokes, as Citizen of the Quarter during a brief presentation ceremony Thursday at the Gallup Police department. The ceremony also honored seven police officers who had been named officers of the quarter since 2004. Photo by Jeff Jones / Independent

GALLUP — Police Chief Sylvester Stanley recognized on Thursday morning officers and citizens for their achievements in recent years.

As part of the agency's Officer of the Quarter and Citizen of the Quarter program, Stanley presented the awardees with plaques to commemorate their actions. Thursday's ceremony marked the first since the program was instated. The awards are determined by the department's leadership.

The officers of the quarter since 2004 to date are:

• Andrea Tsosie
• Christopher Dale
• Harold Littlefield
• Victor Rodriguez
• Erin Toadlena-Pablo
• Pat Gallegos
• Andy Yearley
  

The citizens of the quarter are:

• Saprina Montano
• Edward Baldonado
• Rolinda Vanwinkle

Each officer of the quarter is allotted eight hours of leave in addition to the recognition, Stanley said. However, some of the officers have yet to cash in on the reward but say they plan to. Stanley also honored Stronghold Church Pastor Henry Stokes III for his role as a conduit between the police department and the community.

Deputy Chief Don Raley also praised Stokes for his ability to communicate between the groups "smoothly."

"It has to be a gift from God because you're great at it," Raley said. "You're a person who is willing to go out there and break the ice."

During his acceptance speech, Stokes thanked the officers for their work and said the recognition was "sincerely felt."

"I have a great respect for what you guys and girls do," Stokes said.

He said he is also quick to defend officers when they are criticized.

"I'm like a pitbull in your yard," he said.

The Stronghold Church hosts a dinner annually for Gallup police officers and plans to maintain the tradition on July 4. The church may also expand the dinner to include other local law enforcement agencies.

Awards were also presented for achievements during the department's recent physical fitness challenge. Groups of officers competed to determine who could lose the most weight and body fat. Melanie Padilla, Jeff Barnhurst and Kelvin Akeson were named the champions, while Lt. Harold Littlefield was recognized for losing the most body fat. Sgt. Francie Martinez lost the most weight.