CCP 02-22-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Citation to Accompany SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARD To Officer Matt Voeller June 6, 2010 During the summer of 2010,the City of New Brighton experienced one of the most violent crimes in the city's history. During the late evening of June 6'1', an unknown person took a handgun and opened fire on a crowd of persons at an outdoor party striking four persons in the assault. The suspect fled and was neither identified nor located. On June 711'you,Officer Matt Voeller, followed up on a vague report of a male making comments about a gun in Hanson Park weeks prior to the Oak Grove assault. Your follow up led you from Bel Air Elementary School to the Oak Grove Trailer Park and then to the address of 134 Morris Street where you had already identified the person of interest as Mr.Thomas Neeland. You located and conducted an investigative interview with Mr.Neeland who offered you no credible information which would link him to the crime at that time. Your investigation continued. After your interview, you were able to persuade Mr.Neeland to allow you to take three photographs of him. As the investigation into this crime continued,Mr.Neeland was eventually identified as the primary suspect in the quadruple shooting. When it was time to execute the safe arrest of a potentially armed and dangerous suspect and to avoid direct combat with deadly weapons,the photos you took of Mr. Neeland proved to be an invaluable asset to the planning and coordination of the arrest by the New Brighton Police Department and the East Metro SWAT Team. Based on your diligent investigation leading to the arrest of a dangerous criminal in this extraordinary case,relying on your investigative skills,communication skills,intelligence and alertness, your are hereby awarded the Special Commendation Award this 21 st day of January, 2011. 6 1 Robert Jacobson Daniel R Olson Anthony S. V;etznick Director Deputy Director Deputy Director