The Denver Police Foundation honored 15 Denver Police Department personnel with distinguished awards at the organization’s annual Honoring our Heroes gala Thursday.

The event — a fundraiser for the foundation, which celebrated its silver jubilee — included the awards ceremony as well as silent and live auctions featuring a variety of items, including vacation experiences, cigar cases and autographed sports memorabilia.

Altogether, the gala raised about $420,000 for the foundation last year, funds that were used for a virtual training system, new drones that help look for missing persons and wanted parties and scans to evaluate the heart health of officers, four of whom were found to have issues, said DPD Chief Ron Thomas.

“Those donations truly saved lives,” Thomas said. “We hope you can continue to find it in your hearts and in your pocketbooks to help fund much-needed programs, equipment and training as you have in the past.”

The event began with speeches from Thomas, Foundation Chairman Christian Anschutz and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, before proceeding to the awards ceremony, which was emceed by Denver7’s Danielle Grant and 9News’ Jordan Chavez.

“This is a celebration of those folks who are the highest calling of public servants,” Johnston said. “They may miss a kid’s soccer game or a graduation or an anniversary, or, worst of all, they take the risk of not coming home to see those kids at all. But they do that day in and day out because they believe in supporting the city and supporting its people.”

The award winners are as follows:

Deputy Chief Joseph Montoya received the Chairman’s Legacy Award for a 40-year career in law enforcement, including 34 years with Denver police. Montoya, who is retiring, initially pursued a degree in accounting in southern California before switching his studies to sociology and pursue a career in public service.

Kristen “KJ” Jacoby received the Professional Staff of the Year award for stepping in as the acting supervisor of the department’s critical data initiatives, supporting staff and leading cross-agency coordination on public safety data. She now serves as the acting director of the department’s Analytical Support Bureau.

Sgt. Justin Dodge received the Officer of the Year award and received a Purple Heart for his determination to return to service after having his leg caught under a fire truck tire during the 2023 Denver Nuggets Championship parade, necessitating the amputation of his lower leg. Despite the adversity, Dodge returned to full duty on June 11, 2024 and has regained his role as a valuable asset to the department’s high-risk SWAT operations.

“My rehab, and my decision, was actually made while the truck was on top of me,” Dodge said in a video about the incident. “The department as a whole, the guys in the unit were phenomenal. My family was absolutely incredible, there’s no way I could have done this without their support.”

Detectives Earnest Sandoval and Neil Baker and ATF Special Agents Ryan McKone and Mark Sonnendecker each received the Above and Beyond award for their investigation into an arson attack on a home in Green Valley Ranch that killed five people, including two young children, on August 5, 2020. During the investigation, Sandoval developed a warrant for a Google keyword search, which set a national legal precedent for digital evidence gathering and leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspects involved.

Sgt. Perry Speelman and Lt. Kristy Garcia each received a Distinguished Service Cross for their help in safely rescuing six people from a hostage situation in a Denver restaurant. Despite both being off-duty, they entered the building before backup had arrived and contacted the suspect, keeping him distracted as METRO SWAT arrived. Together, they helped safely rescue the hostages and took the suspect into custody.

Lt. Kyle Smith, Dodge and Technician Jacob Stevenson each received a Distinguished Service Cross for their response to a man firing a rifle at bicyclists from a residence. After negotiations to draw the suspect out failed, police used a gas canister to try and compel the suspect to surrender, after which police heard a single gunshot from the residence followed by fire spreading throughout. The suspect then appeared at the back door and was apprehended by police. Smith led the tactical response team and Wright and Dodge helped coordinate police movement under the direct threat.

Detectives Jay Lopez, James Waidler and Cole Connors each received the Medal of Honor, with Lopez also receiving a Purple Heart, for their response to a fugitive who led police on a high-speed chase before crashing in Broomfield and attempting to carjack a motorist on Sept. 29, 2022. As Waidler pulled the victim to safety, Lopez ordered the suspect to surrender. The suspect then opened fire, hitting Lopez in the neck. Waidler then shot the suspect before him and Connors then gave immediate aid to Lopez, putting pressure to the wound and stabilizing him before emergency services arrived. Lopez returned to service in March 2024.

“Cole drove me back, and then he put his hands on my throat, basically putting his fingers in the hole to stop the bleeding,” Lopez said in a video about the incident. “I did the whole cheesy tell my wife and kids I love them, I wanted to get it out before I either passed out or, you know.”

Cpl. David Briggs received the Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart for his reaction to an unprovoked attack while he was sitting in his vehicle outside a hotel-turned-immigrant shelter. At 4:10 a.m. on June 7, 2023, a man walked by the vehicle, looking at Briggs, before entering the shelter and asking for a room. Then, he exited, approached the vehicle, drew a handgun and opened fire. Briggs was shot once in the ribs and twice in the back, rolling out of his vehicle and returning fire, critically wounding the suspect, who was found to have been carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a loaded revolver and two additional 9mm magazines. Briggs’ ballistic vest, like the Angel Armor vests provided by the Foundation,  saved his life.

The Denver Police Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has supported the Denver Police Department by providing funds and equipment that the city budget cannot. Funds raised are used for specialized equipment, training and crime prevention.