Ceremony To Recognize Work By Detroit First Responders
COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Public Safety Foundation will honor three Detroit police officers for their work leading to the arrest of a serial rapist.
Sgt. Michael Jackson and officers Ernest Cleaves and James Taylor will be among first responders receiving "medals of valor" on Dec. 2 at the Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony, which recognizes Detroit police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and local leaders for exemplary work to better the city. Other awards also will be handed out at the event.
In April, Michael Sykes was arrested after the officers stopped a speeding car in which Sykes was in the vehicle's backseat and tried to flee. DNA evidence linked Sykes to the kidnappings and sexual assaults of three women earlier this year, police said.
Sykes was sentenced last month to 121 years in prison, and also faces charges in the sexual assault and robbery of two other women seven years ago in a Detroit alley.
"I've arrested a lot of bad guys, but this by far was one of the most significant," Jackson told The Associated Press in a statement. "I am truly happy and grateful that I was able to remove a dangerous and violent predator off the streets. That's my true reward and I enjoy doing this every single day."
"I certainly cannot take all of the credit because I did not do this alone," he added. "Officers Ernest Cleaves and James Taylor were also very instrumental in assisting me and I'm grateful for them and honored to be able to accept this award with them."
Several police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians injured or hurt while on duty also will be honored with "purple heart" awards, Detroit Public Safety Foundation Executive Director Catherine Govan said.
About 1,000 people are expected to attend the event at the Cobo Center.
The nonprofit foundation has secured more than $80 million in federal grants for police and firefighter training, equipment, community outreach and technology, Govan said. Over the past few years, it also has raised more than $4 million in private funding.
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