Chief John Drake Names the MNPD's Employees of the Year for 2023

Chief John Drake this afternoon honored the MNPD’s 2023 Employees of the Year, fourteen individuals whose selfless dedication and bravery underscore the commitment of this police department and its officers to Nashville’s safety.

“I am so grateful to our collective team throughout the police department for their incredible public safety work,” Chief Drake said. “I am also thankful for their families who support them every day and who understand the sacrifices that come with a law enforcement career.”

The 2023 honorees are:

Community Services Bureau Patrol Officers of the Year for 2023:

Officer Rex Engelbert from the Central Precinct, Detectives Michael Collazo, Ryan Cagle, Zachary Plese, and Eric Wegener from the Midtown Hills Precinct, and Officer Robert Higgins from the West Precinct

These officers and detectives were among the first to respond to the active shooter call at the Covenant School last March 27. As the world has seen from body-worn camera video, these individuals performed courageously and without hesitation in quickly searching for the shooter, stopping the deadly threat, and attempting to render aid to the students and staff who were shot. The valiant and selfless actions of these individuals saved countless lives.

Support Services Bureau Officers of the Year for 2023:

Officers Trenton Searcy & Jessica Johnson from the Traffic Division’s Motorcycle Unit.

Officers Searcy and Johnson did not hesitate in responding on their police motorcycles to the active shooter call at The Covenant School last March 27. Both were aware that shots were still being fired inside the building on the second floor. Without hesitation and in the face of extreme danger, Officer Searcy entered the building and began working to clear it. In the process, he came upon an unresponsive child. He picked up the victim and rushed outside to the nearest ambulance.

As Officer Johnson rode up the driveway of the Covenant Campus, she laid her motorcycle down on the pavement and used it for cover in response to the gunfire. Then, without hesitation, she, too, entered the building and began a search. The selfless dedication and bravery of these two officers underscore the commitment of this police department and its officers to Nashville’s safety.

Community Services Bureau Investigators of the Year for 2023:

Detectives Donovan Coble, Keenan McCann, and Seth Vaughn from the Hermitage Precinct

On June 1st, Detectives Coble and McCann responded to a call of an armed man breaking into vehicles at The Parking Spot, an airport area parking lot for travelers. They spotted the suspect at the rear of the business. He refused commands to stop and jumped over a wooden fence. During the ensuing foot chase, the man pointed a .380 semi-automatic pistol over his shoulder and fired. Detective Coble, although seriously wounded, returned the man’s gunfire before radioing that he’d been shot and running to the street as Detective McCann provided cover. Detective Vaughn turned onto the road at that very moment, received Detective Coble into his pickup truck, and rushed him to Vanderbilt Medical Center.

Investigative Services Bureau Investigator of the Year for 2023:

Detective Tyler Manivong from the Homicide Unit

Detective Manivong’s nearly 3-year investigation into the February 2021 fatal shooting of David Hernandez on Morrison Street led to last December’s first-degree murder indictment of Dimetrius Ford and Carlissia Jones.

Detective Manivong obtained more than 23 search warrants and 3 subpoenas to further the investigation, which showed that Ford and Jones traveled to Nashville a few days prior to the homicide. Ford is accused of giving the victim instructions to drive to Morrison Street, where he was killed inside a vehicle in a case that’s tied to the illegal drug trade.

Detective Manivong worked relentlessly on this case night and day until the two suspects were charged.

Community Services Bureau Community Engagement Officer of the Year for 2023:

Officer James Wells from the Midtown Hills Precinct

Officer Wells demonstrated his incredible continuing commitment to our community through empathy, communication and problem-solving, as he put together an inaugural career fair in the Edgehill Community. He worked hard to build relationships and partnerships to help individuals attain meaningful employment. At this event, 22 people applied for jobs, 16 received help creating resumes, and 5 individuals were hired immediately. Officer Wells consistently goes above and beyond, and sets an example for other officers to follow.

Professional Support Employee of the Year for 2023:

MNPD Helicopter Pilot Steve Combs from the Special Operations Division

Detectives learned that a murder suspect had fled into a densely wooded area behind a Lebanon Pike apartment complex. They called for assistance from police aviation around one o’clock in the morning. Even with the use of infrared cameras, the visibility below the tree canopy was very poor. Despite these challenges, Pilot Steve Combs continued to expertly maneuver the helicopter over the area until Tactical Flight Officer David Willover located the suspect. Canine officers were then deployed and safely apprehended the man in dense foliage and brush. During an interview, the suspect admitted to fatally stabbing the victim after an argument.

Highlight Video from Today’s Awards Ceremony