Twenty-five Denver Police Department officers received various medals and honors at the Denver Police Foundation’s annual gala on Thursday for “outstanding service, integrity and bravery,” according to Armando Saldate III, Denver’s director of public safety.

“You’re an inspiration to your peers and you’re an inspiration to our city. You really give us hope that we will have better days ahead,” he said at the event at the Hyatt Regency Denver. 

The foundation — started in 1999 to provide emotional and financial support to the corresponding police department — holds its “Honoring Our Heroes” gala every year. The aptly titled event provides awards to officers who have risked their lives in the line of duty and also works to raise funds for the foundation through silent auctions.

A video presentation highlighted the various acts of bravery by the department, including an officer-involved shooting that stopped a suspect from shooting a handgun on the streets and a de-escalation incident that ended with a suspect stabbing multiple officers before being detained.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to lead this group of women and men who go out every day and do tremendous things,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said.

“Obviously we’re going to try to raise some money,” Thomas said to the crowd of officers and Denver Police Foundation backers. “But we’re here to celebrate several officers and professional staff who are deserving of special recognition.”

Thomas noted that due to the support of the foundation, all officers now have trauma kits in their vehicles — an example of the backing the foundation provides.

“The men and women of the Denver Police Department face immense challenges every day to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods, our communities, our businesses and everyone in the city of Denver,” Murphy Robinson, a board member of the foundation, said. “It is our collective responsibility to provide them with the resources that they require to carry out their needs.”

Following the awards, which included Officer of the Year and a Purple Heart, a silent auction was held to raise funds for the foundation. Items and experiences like tickets to the Avalanche playoffs games, going through the VirTra 300 shooting simulator and a ride in the department’s Air1 helicopter were auctioned off to the highest bidders.

The Denver Gazette and The Anschutz Foundation were among the sponsors of the event. The Anschutz Corp. owns Clarity Media Group, the parent company of Colorado Politics and The Denver Gazette.

The 2024 Honoring our Heroes Award recipients are:

• Angelica Chavez – Career Service Employee of the Year
• Cpl. Aaron Botts – Officer of the Year
• Det. Mark Crider – Above and Beyond
• Sgt. Kyle Saunier – Purple Heart
• Ofc. Anthony Bova – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Jael Lozano – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Celia Munoz – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Matthew Trujillo – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Steve Gameroz – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Jacob Reist – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Corey Gambone – Distinguished Service Cross
• Sgt. Mickey Horton – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Monet Jackson – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Anthony Vessa – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Samuel Bailey – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Steve Whiteman – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Christine Abrams – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Ryan Nelson – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc. Eugene McComas – Distinguished Service Cross
• Ofc.Timothy Cueva – Medal of Valor
• Ofc. Kelly Boyd – Medal of Valor
• Ofc. Matthew Peterson – Medal of Valor
• Ofc. Jesse Trudel – Medal of Valor
• Ofc. John Schaal – Medal of Valor
• Ofc. Eddie Medero – Medal of Valor