2022 MPD Awards

The METRO Police Department (MPD) held its annual awards ceremony in June at the historic Antioch Missionary Baptist Church to recognize officers, staff, and citizens for their efforts throughout 2022.

Honoring everything from harrowing rescues to superb acts of public service, nearly one dozen awards were presented as testaments to the hard work and dedication of the men and women of MPD and those who support them.

In attendance were METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran, METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert, and Board Members Don Elder, Bob Fry, Diann Lewter, Terry Morales, Troi Taylor, and Christopher Hollins.

After Officer Darren Dixon offered an invocation for first responders, Chair Ramabhadran thanked the entire department, highlighting the unique challenges transit police officers face.

"We can't thank you enough for all you do," said Ramabhadran. "Houston is 640 square miles, while METRO's service area is 1,300 square miles. That's 20 percent larger than the state of Rhode Island — and much of it is always on the move."

METRO Media Manager Doug Delony, who served as the Master of Ceremonies, presented the following awards:

• Medal of Valor
• Meritorious Service Award
• Lifesaving Award
• Unit Citation
• Supervisor/ Sergeant of the Year
• Officer of the Year
• Corporate Award
• Media Award
• MAP Operator
• Records Clerk
• CFI and
• Dispatcher of the Year
  

One of the department's most distinct honors was presented to MPD Officer Manojkumar Pooparayil, who received the 2022 Medal of Valor for his exceptional service beyond the call of duty. Pooparayil saved a fellow officer's life in late December during an altercation with a suspect they were attempting to detain at Wheeler Station.

The MPD Sergeant of the Year Award went to Sgt. Eric Fernandez, the department saying, “He demonstrates compassion and understanding to fare inspectors and METRO patrons and that his wonderful leadership is a great strength to MPD.”

The Officer of the Year is Ronald Lee. MPD says he consistently goes above and beyond, fulfilling his daily tasks and consistently demonstrating teamwork, integrity, hard work, respect, and dependability.”

Other Notable Honors

• MPD Meritorious Service Award: Presented to MPD Officer Joseph Mottu who was honored for his quick actions that helped save someone suffering cardiac arrest.
• MPD Lifesaving Award: Presented to Sr. Officer Brian McDonough and Officers Paul Green and Redell Wooten. They responded to a call at Palm Center involving a woman who had been shot several times. Upon arriving, the officers stabilized the victim until EMS arrived.
• MPD Lifesaving Award: Presented to MPD Sergeant Alex Molina, who rescued a man from a burning vehicle. Molina sustained minor burns, cuts, and developed chemical pneumonia.
• Unit Citation Award: Presented to MPD investigations for its outstanding performance in expeditiously solving high-profile cases throughout 2022.
• Map Operator of the Year: Wade Richard
• Civilian Fare Inspector of the Year: Feba Payne
• Support Employee of the Year: Dionne Burleson
• Records Clerk of the Year: Ivory Gaitan
• Corporate Award: Starbucks at 2101 Smith Houston, TX 77002