Denver Police Officers Receive ‘Citizens Appreciate Police’ Award

Denver Police Officers Receive 'Citizens Appreciate Police' Award

Published on August 13, 2025

DENVER - August 13, 2025 - Today, the nonprofit organization Citizens Appreciate Police (CAP) recognized four Denver Police officers who demonstrated extraordinary kindness and compassion to those in our community. Formed in 1978 by Mayor Bill McNichols and District Attorney Dale Tooley, CAP is a nonprofit organization which recognizes Denver Police officers who serve the public above the regular call of duty. Since its inception, more than 550 officers have received the CAP award and pin, which is the only civilian award worn on the officers' uniforms.

"Recognizing the hard work and commitment of our police officers is a part of the CAP board culture," said CAP Board Member Mario Jiminez. "Our commitment is to recognize the exemplary interactions between our officers and members of the community." "I am proud of the officers being recognized today for their kindness and generosity to those in the community", said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. "Service is a key aspect of being a Denver Police officer, and these officers' actions exemplify and I thank the CAP Board for their recognition of these four officers. Members of the Denver Police Department routinely go above and beyond while performing their duties, working to find creative solutions with the resources they have at their disposal, and these individuals recognized today are great examples of that."

Today's CAP Award honorees are Officers Parker Anderson, Brian Schoonmaker, Joel Stevenson, and Patrick Ortega.

Officers Joel Stevenson and Patrick Ortega

Officers Stevenson and Ortega responded to a theft call where a food delivery driver dropped off an order to the wrong address. When the victim went to retrieve her food, her neighbor denied ever receiving the order. The victim explained to officers that she had very little money and had spent the food to feed her son who had recently been released from the hospital. Understanding the difficult circumstances, the officers took it upon themselves to assist the victim. They retrieved a new order of food and personally delivered it to her residence.

A few weeks later, Officers Stevenson and Ortega received an anonymous gift card from a community member who had heard about this heartwarming story and wanted to reimburse the officers for their expenses. Upon receiving the gift cards, the officers reached out the victim and paid it forward by personally delivering the donated gift cards to the victim.

Officers Brian Schoonmaker and Parker Anderson

On April 3, 2025, Denver Police Officers Brian Schoonmaker and Parker Anderson were dispatched to a residence on South Alton Way to investigate a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, the officers met with an elderly victim who explained that she gave her credit card to the suspect to purchase food. However, the suspect returned without her food and had instead used the victim's funds to buy alcoholic beverages for herself. When the victim confronted the suspect about the misuse of the card, the suspect assaulted her and fled the scene.

While the officers were speaking with the victim, the suspect returned to the residence and was taken into custody. Before leaving, the officers wanted to ensure that the victim had the necessary resources to continue caring for herself. Upon checking her refrigerator and pantry and finding them empty, the officers went to a nearby store and purchased groceries for her.

The CAP Board, consisting of 16 citizen volunteers, meets four times a year to review nominations, select recipients, and present awards. Each award winner receives a pin that is worn on the officer's uniform and a plaque. Community members wishing to commend an officer for their actions, either on-duty or off-duty, can send a nomination letter to: Citizens Appreciate Police, 1331 Cherokee St. Room 202, Denver, CO 80204. Nominations can also be emailed directly to the CAP Board at [email protected].

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