On June 28, 2011, three (3) Kerrville Police Department Officers received awards at the regular meeting of the Kerrville City Council. The officers were selected by the KPD Meritorious Conduct Board and were presented with their awards by Chief John M. Young.
Officer Joshua Jureczki was awarded the 2010 Officer of the Year award. Officer Jureczki who was assigned to the Field Operations Division as a Patrol Officer was recognized for his overall field performance. Officer Jureczki has received numerous commendations from citizens. Officer Jureczki also received the Firearms Marksmanship Award in 2010.
Officer Jureczki was also assigned as a Field Training Officer training new officers for 12 weeks; Special Operations Team member/sniper; On-call Evidence Technician; and Firearms Team Instructor.
Officer Jureczki is married, has three children, and is deeply involved with his family. Officer Jureczki is involved in numerous civic activities involving the community, such as the “Citizen Police Academy”. He served as an instructor for the academy cadets on evidence and building searches.
Officer Jureczki is an excellent example of a Police Officer that demonstrates commitment to his community through excellence in his performance and devotion to duty.
Officer David Torres was awarded the Certificate of Merit award. Officer Torres is a School Resource Officer assigned to the Kerrville Independent School District, a part of the Support Services Division.
In 2009, Officer Torres voluntarily returned from retirement to help the Police Department and the KISD by resuming his work as the SRO at Tivy High School. He has demonstrated exceptional performance in his duties as the SRO and has been recognized for his unselfish personal contribution to the students, teachers and parents in the community.
Officer Torres has worked tirelessly to successfully strengthen the ties and working relationship between the School District and the Police Department. He is one of the most recognizable and visible persons on the Tivy Campus, a campus that encompasses more than 1,350 students. Officer Torres is admired by the students, faculty and parents not only as a police officer but as a man who is committed to improving the quality of life of those he serves.
Officer Torres’ performance goes well above and beyond that which is required by his basic assignment. His contribution to the Junior Citizen Police Academy has been a tremendous asset to the cadets in the program as well as the Police Department.
Officer Torres has received numerous commendations from citizens, two of which students wrote that Torres has enriched their lives.
Officer Torres brings credit to this Department and is being recognized for his outstanding performance, integrity and unselfish personal contributions of his time and talent to the Kerrville Police Department. Officer Torres has earned the respect and praise of fellow officers and of the Kerrville Independent School District.
Investigator John H. Latham was awarded the Certificate of Merit award. Investigator Latham is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit, a part of the Support Services Division.
In January 2011, Inv. Latham responded to investigate a suspicious circumstance complaint at a residence in Kerrville. Upon investigating the nature of the complaint, it was discovered that a struggle may have taken place, along with damage to a window screen and blinds.
Inv. Latham began to investigate further in to the situation. Through contact with officers and interviews of witness’s determined that a forty-nine (49) year old female had possibly been assaulted or worse, and that the female was possibly in further danger since she was no where to be found.
Inv. Latham continued to investigate and found that the female victim was involved in a dangerous relationship with a forty (40) year old male that had recently threatened to kill the female victim.
Inv. Latham used all available investigative resources on a continuous basis and ultimately located the hotel where the suspect had taken the victim. The hotel was called and it was determined that the suspect was checked-in at the hotel. Inv. Latham contacted the San Antonio Department requesting their assistance to check the welfare of the victim.
San Antonio Police responded and located both in the hotel room. The female victim was separated from the suspect and was able to freely speak with police. The female reported to the police that she had been abducted as well as sexually assaulted multiple times. The suspect was immediately arrested and the female victim was transported to the hospital.
Because of Inv. Latham’s tireless investigation to locate the female victim, she was saved from greater injury or death. Inv. Latham was recognized for his outstanding performance based on the complexity of this investigation.