Make an arrest, get a T-shirt

Megan Matteucci
SavannahNow.com
Jan. 09, 2007

Lowering crime is a full-time job.

It's a task that takes everyone from the patrolman stopping drunk drivers to the detective tracking fugitives. But sometimes that work goes unnoticed, Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Chief Michael Berkow said Friday.

The chief hopes to encourage those good deeds through a new reward program.

"The most valuable resource I have is the men and women wearing a blue uniform," he said. "Every day and night, there are police officers out there doing good solid work."

On Friday, the chief handed out T-shirts to four officers.

He insisted it's not about the shirt, but the meaning behind it. It's about justice, integrity and honor, according to the logo on the shirt.

That's why only an elite group hand-picked by Berkow will receive them.

"You can't buy it, only earn it," Berkow told his officers at the department's crime summit.

Berkow launched the program last week. So far, he has handed out about half-a-dozen shirts.

He plans to make surprise presentations to those in the SCMPD ranks, such as at roll call or at staff meetings.

"Just like crime-fighting, we have to be fast and immediate. That's what this is about," he said. "I want to give them an atta-boy right away."

On Friday, he recognized the following officers:

Star Cpl. Dan Walker was honored for his work investigating the homicide of Danny Ray Redeemar, who was found bludgeoned to death Nov. 12 in a car on Ogeechee Road. Walker helped police track the suspect after finding a palm print and blood on the car. The forensics work also led detectives to the suspect's house, where police recovered the 2x4 used to kill Redeemar, Berkow said.

Star Cpl. Michael Murphy and Star Cpl. Tonya Reid used their investigative skills to track down thousands of dollars worth of golf equipment stolen from Henderson Golf Club. They were recognized for finding the equipment during routine checks at local pawn shops, Berkow said.

Det. Cecil Medina received a shirt for his work in coaxing a confession out of a teenager linked to a string of commercial burglaries.

Anyone with award recommendations is invited to contact the chief's office.