Commendations received by the public

Great Job Officer Leitao! 

Going above and beyond comes naturally to Second Precinct Officer Leitao.

Recently, a pregnant woman along with her young child was displaced and the woman needed help.

Being unhoused during these cold winter months can be extremely challenging and have a huge impact on anyone’s physical and mental well-being.

This mother was experiencing a mental health crisis as she was trying to navigate the uncertainty of being unhoused with her young son.

When RPD’s Crisis Response Team (CRT) arrived to assist, they were faced with the difficulty of trying to communicate with her. They were in dire need of a Portuguese-speaking officer and the clinician reached out to Officer Leitao, who is from Brazil and she knew that he is fluent in Portuguese.

Without hesitation, Officer Leitao answered the call and arrived and was able to establish clear lines of communication, making sure that the female and her child felt safe. He assisted with connecting them to the resources that they needed.

The clinician stated “Officer Leitao provided not only the standard of care representative of a steward of this community, but went above and beyond to ensure that this expectant mother felt safe, heard, and ultimately respected.” Thank You Officer Leitao! Obrigado!

Sergeant Gohlke was awarded a Life-Saving bar by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for his quick response and actions!

A model officer in and outside of the city of Richmond!

RPD would like to recognize Sergeant Gohlke for the life-saving measures he recently performed while traveling in Destin, Florida.

“...My wife and I had just got our rental and recorded the exterior for damage. As we were leaving the lot, she looked over and saw someone on the ground and someone who appeared to be doing chest compressions.

We got out and there was a guy on the ground who was blue and did not look good. There was a male who was trying to perform CPR, but needed assistance.

I walked up and immediately began chest compressions. My wife asked if there was an AED anywhere and went to go get it. I started doing CPR and around the 44th compression the male’s color started getting better and he appeared to be breathing. I checked his pulse and he had one!

I placed him in the recovery position. I held him there until EMS responded.”

Thank you Sgt. Gohlke!

Vehicle owner expresses gratitude to Third Precinct Officer Finch for locating their stolen vehicle in an expeditious manner.

Vacationing is a time to get away from home and relax, without a worry in the world. Except when you hear that your car has just been stolen back home.
The department received an email commending Third Precinct Officer Finch. Officer Finch drove to the home of an individual to notify the residence that their vehicle had just been stolen. The homeowners were out of the country and the Ring doorbell had notified them that Officer Finch was at their door. He gave the homeowners a call notifying them of the stolen vehicle. Officer Finch went above and beyond, driving throughout the city looking for the vehicle until he ultimately recovered it.
The resident wrote “When I returned to town, I was able to meet Officer Finch and he is a fine human being! My family and I feel lucky to be protected by the City of Richmond Police force.”
Thank You, Officer Finch for always going the extra mile for our community!