Page 6 - The Wayne Dispatch

Left to right David Malloy (past president of Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police
and Novi PD Chief), Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong, Lt. Kevin Schmidtke and new
president of MACP, Chief Terrence McDonnell of East Jordan PD.
Officer Schmidtke receives

prestigious Chiefs award

Only one or two police officers was an officer in training in 2001. He
from the entire state are selected for followed the case since then and
the award each year. On June 25, Lt. eventually identified the suspect
Kevin Schmidtke of the Wayne Police through stellar police work. The
Department received the prestigious case was turned over to then Detec-
Michigan Association of Chiefs of Po- tive Perez, who obtained a warrant
lice Distinguished Service Medal. Ac- for the suspect's arrest. The suspect
cording to the Wayne Police is now serving a lengthy prison term.
Department, “This is a state-wide In his original recommendation to
award for ‘exceptionally meritorious the awards committee, Chief Strong
service in the performance of an as- wrote, ‘Without Lt. Schmidtke’s ded-
signment of great responsibility. The ication to the case, the suspect
excellence of such performance dis- would have continued to commit sex-
tinguished both the officer and ual assaults, and the victim would
his/her department.’” have never received justice. I
Recipients of the award are se- strongly believe that Lt. Schmidtke’s
lected by a panel of police chiefs actions prevented numerous sexual
from across the state. assaults.’"
The Wayne Police Department According to Chief Strong, no one
also reports that “Lt. Schmidtke re- in his 20-year career in the Wayne
ceived the award for his tireless ef- Police Department has won the
forts to identify a cold case serial award. He believes the last award to
rapist. Lt. Schmidtke took a report a Wayne officer was about 30 years
about the original incident when he ago.

6 · July 2019 · The Wayne Dispatch