First Responders Event

First Responders Appreciation and Criminal Justice CAREER Day 2021

Introduction and Welcome

• Dr. Seref Onder - Introduction and Welcome
• Dr. Richard Bush - Presenting Speakers
• Jeffrey M. Swan - Public Safety Manager, Member of BHC Board of Trustees
• Tim Wynes, J.D. - BHC President
• Dr. Amy Maxeiner - BHC VP for Instruction
  

First Responders, Emergency and Public Safety Panel

• Daren Gault, Chief of Police Moline Police Department
• Travis Noyd, Deputy Chief of the EMS Division, Moline Fire Department
• Tony Tracy, Chief Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Management, Henry County
• Angela Seegrist, MSN, RN, CEN Supervisor, Emergency Department, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, East Rusholme St.
• Todd Malone, Communications Supervisor, Scott Emergency Communications Center
• Heather Shappard, Rock Island County Sheriff's Department

Awards Ceremony

First Responders Hero Award

• Officer Andrew Lawler, Rock Island Police Department

Certificate of Appreciation

• Firefighter Michael Collins, Muscatine Fire Department
• Lt. Gregory Behning, Davenport Police Department
• Officer Chris Beaupre, Galesburg Police Department

Thank You Messages

View the "Thank You" Messages from Students to First Responders (PDF)

BHC First Responders Appreciation and Career Day 2020

Hosted by Dr. Seref Onder, Director of the Criminal Justice Program, the 2020 Black Hawk College First Responders Appreciation and Career Day featured guest speakers, a panel discussion and the Black Hawk College First Responder Hero Award was presented. The panel was titled "First Responders, Emergencies, and Public Safety Panel" and featured speakers from 15 public, private and non-government organizations from dispatchers to emergency management agencies. Speakers presented information about their roles and responsibilities responding emergencies and replied answers posted by audiences.

2020 BHC First Responders Hero Award

Officer Patrick Mesick, Bettendorf Police Department. The Black Hawk College Criminal Justice Department has awarded Officer Patrick Mesick with the college’s 2020 Hero of the Year Award in recognition of his heroic acts on Sept. 3, 2020. On September 3rd of this year, Officer Mesick took decisive action in order to save a child’s life that was in imminent danger along with four other children and three adults in a residence. Dr. Seref Onder, who oversees the Criminal Justice Program, presented Officer Mesick with the certificate and award at the Bettendorf Police Department. Chief Kimball would like to thank Dr. Onder and Black Hawk College for their support of recognizing all first responders and acknowledging the heroic efforts of Officer Mesick.

2020 Certificates of Appreciation

Officer Jeff Leonhardt, Moline Police Department. The Black Hawk College Criminal Justice Department has awarded Officer Leonhardt with the college’s certificate of appreciation for his heroic and lifesaving efforts on May 1, 2020. Officer Leonhardt saved a life on the I-74 bridge back in May, and you may remember he received the Moline Police Department Life Saving Award at that time. Chief Gault thanked Dr. Onder and Black Hawk College for their efforts to recognize Officer Leonhardt and for their support of all the men and women of Moline P.D.

Officer Ryan Leabo, Davenport Police Department. Officer Ryan Leabo was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Black Hawk College Criminal Justice Department for his heroic actions and outstanding bravery in the line of duty. Leabo was shot while making an arrest when investigating attempted burglaries on April 25, 2019. The man who was arrested had several outstanding charges and faced several more for the incident. Chief Sikorski accepted this award from Dr. Onder, Director of the Criminal Justice Department on Officer Leabo’s behalf. Congratulations Officer Leabo.