Ponca City Police accomplishments honored at annual banquet

The Ponca City Police Department recognized the achievements of  the department, its officers, civilian employees and volunteers at the 2019 Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association Banquet.

Police Chief Don Bohon presented the awards.

Officer of the Year

Chief Don Bohon presents the Ponca City Police Department’s “Officer of the Year” award to Sgt. Ben Garrison. A nine-year veteran of the Police Department, Garrison is the Department’s K-9 officer, co-coordinates the Citizen Police Academy and has supervised the bike patrol unit. Garrison filmed and produced a spectacular recruitment video that has been viewed more than 5,500 times, and assisted in creating the Department’s lip synch challenge video seen by more than 2.5 million viewers on Facebook.

Outstanding Patrolman of the Year

Chief Don Bohon presents the Ponca City Police Department’s “Outstanding Patrolman of the Year” award to Ptl. Caleb Landis. With two years of service to the Department, Landis was recognized for his consistent level of professionalism, willingness to assist co-workers and repeatedly volunteering to cover shift shortages on patrol and in the dispatch office. Landis ranks in the top echelon for self-initiative among his fellow officers.

Civilian Employee of the Year

Chief Don Bohon presents the Ponca City Police Department’s “Civilian Employee of the Year” award to Booking Officer Gina Payne. Although Payne deals with some of society’s toughest problems at the Ponca City jail, she was honored for her teamwork, training skills, managing staffing levels and keeping morale at a high level. Her almost continuous smile keeps her colleagues in a good mood and lightens the burden of many inmates.

Detective of the Year

Chief Don Bohon presents the Ponca City Police Department’s “Detective of the Year” award to Lt. Paul Qualls. Despite juggling a chaotic, sometimes stressful case load that includes child sex crimes, Qualls was recognized for his dedication, teamwork and professionalism. Always willing to assist other detectives and officers, the combination of Qualls’ low-key manner and dedicated efforts has led to an exemplary performance record.

Lifesaver Award

Chief Don Bohon presents the Ponca City Police Department’s “Lifesaver Award” to Cpl. Daniel Morrison. In late 2018 Morrison was the first police officer to arrive at the scene of a shooting. Morrison located the victim, uncovered three gunshot wounds and identified the most life-threatening as an arm wound with blood flowing from it. Morrison retrieved and properly fastened a tourniquet to the victim’s arm. After the victim’s wounds were treated, the attending physician told another police officer that the victim would have died before arriving at the hospital if Morrison had not attached the tourniquet.

Community Service Award

Chief Don Bohon presents the Ponca City Police Department’s “Community Service Award” to Cpl. Dana Wilson. Since a 2012 school shooting in Connecticut, Ponca City police officers began visiting schools in the mornings to be with the children. Wilson has continued to excel at this commitment, interacting with children and distributing candy and police sticker badges. Parents consistently call the Ponca City Police Department to compliment the “big officer” who has been adept at supporting the children and increasing the comfort level of parents.

10-Year Service Award

Chief Don Bohon presents the Ponca City Police Department’s 10-year service award to Gail Rains. Rains has served her entire career as a dispatcher.