OFFICERS, CITIZENS RECEIVE SERVICE RECOGNITION

  

Several public safety officials and citizens were recognized for their service at Thursday’s Brenham City Council meeting.

The Brenham Police Department presented a Citizen’s Commendation to Jason Zapalac for assisting police during a theft in progress at the local Walmart on August 29^th.  Brenham Police Chief Ron Parker said two suspects were evading officers in the parking lot, with one suspect ramming a shopping cart into one of the officers before being tackled by Zapalac.  Both subjects were arrested without injury to them or to any responding officers, and all stolen goods were returned.

 

The department also recognized Brenham Police Officer Jimmy Ha and citizen Maynor Mendoza for their work in saving two people from a submerged vehicle on July 20^th.  According to Parker, Ha was on patrol when he saw a vehicle traveling eastbound on Highway 290 near FM 389 at over 100 mph, nearly causing several traffic accidents.  Ha turned on his emergency equipment to stop the driver, but lost sight of the vehicle.

Further east on Highway 290, Ha saw road markings and a damaged guardrail, indicating the suspect had crashed and left the roadway before falling down a steep embankment into a water-filled creek.

Ha, along with Mendoza, rescued the vehicle’s occupants, who Parker said were completely submerged and unable to breathe or escape from the wrecked vehicle.  Both occupants were later arrested with illegal firearms, stolen catalytic converters and over 100 grams of ecstasy.  Ha suffered minor burns to his hands during the rescue and was treated at a local hospital.  For their efforts, Parker presented Ha with a Life Saving Award and Mendoza with a Citizen’s Commendation.

 

Ashley Burns was formally recognized by the council for her promotion to sergeant within the Brenham Police Department.  According to Parker, Burns is the first woman in the history of the City of Brenham and the Brenham Police Department to be promoted to sergeant.  Burns has served with the department since August 2013.

Also recognized on Thursday was outgoing interim Brenham Fire Chief Rhea Cooper, whose interim contract expires on October 31^st.  The city has chosen Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Roger Williams to serve as the department’s new interim chief.  Cooper, a retired fire chief from Lubbock who began serving in Brenham in May, said he is greatly appreciative of the city’s trust in him and commended the ability of Brenham firefighters.

 

Cooper was presented a bag of goodies and mementos in appreciation of his service.