Truckee Police Department, which was formed in 2001, recently had its inaugural awards ceremony.

The department completed a comprehensive study of incidents of the last 15 years that potentially warranted special recognition.

Awards included:

Employee of the year: Community Service Officer Martin Schneider — He has been employed by the town since 1995. His job duties have evolved from strictly animal services to also addressing parking issues townwide.

Volunteer of the year: Al Salas – He has more than 10 years of service with the Truckee Police Volunteer Program. During this time he has been a rock solid contributor to various aspects of the program.

Medal of Merit: Officers Daniel Baraz and Andrew Holbrook, and Jeremie Elliott. On Sept. 7, 2009, Truckee officers responded to reports of a plane crash on Martis Dam Road and Highway 267.  The single engine plane occupied by four people had crashed in a field, coming to rest on its roof.  Three occupants were trapped inside.  All occupants were rescued due to the brave actions of the recipients.

Officer Ryan Moreau, retired Officer Daniel Baraz and Sgt.John Mon Pere: On April 30, 2012, officers received a call of an armed, suicidal subject in central Truckee.  The subject was a Vietnam veteran and had told family members that he had started a one-hour countdown to end his life. Officers were given a vehicle description and began searching for it. At one point he approached the officers holding a gun to his head. After a volatile situation, the subject was taken into custody without incident due.

Officer Austin Harper: Oct. 28, 2014, Harper was on patrol when he was flagged down by a citizen who reported a suspect breaking car windows. Harper drove to the Beacon Station where he interrupted an assault in progress. The suspect had grabbed the victim around her neck and was choking her. Harper quickly engaged the suspect who had ignored his command to stop, punched him once in the face and pulled him off of the victim, placing the suspect under arrest without further incident.

Medal of Valor: Retired Officer Bryan Berry — On Aug. 18, 2009, Berry forced his way inside of a burning apartment and carried a mortally injured woman outside where she was treated by paramedics. Officer Berry’s actions were performed under extreme and selfless bravery, risking his own life in an effort to save another.