The Metropolitan Chiefs Association recently presented five law enforcement officers with their annual awards recognizing their valiant deeds and efforts supporting the criminal justice system.

Omaha Police Officers Jacob Sunderman and Ricardo Martinez received the Dedication Award for going above and beyond the call of duty. They are gang liaison officers with the Uniform Patrol Division, and they were involved in a pursuit that resulted in freeing a victim from the truck of a vehicle and the arrest of a suspect for abduction. Both officers regularly participate in self-initiated activity while managing their calls and assisting other officers.

U.S. Deputy Marshal Shane Knopp of the Criminal Investigation Unit in Omaha received the Special Achievement Award for making a significant contribution to law enforcement. Knopp is part of the Operations Division’s Financial Surveillance Unit, and he has worked on several hundred cases since 2014, including major and international cases. Knopp has contributed to the apprehension of many violent fugitives.

Officer Tim Herron of the Creighton University Department of Public Safety received the Special Achievement Award for making a significant contribution to law enforcement. Herron is assigned to Community Outreach Services, and he led the university’s effort to distribute personal safety devices and a public safety liaison officer program in nine residence halls. Herron also plays a key role in the annual Project Homeless Connect Omaha.

Lt. Tracy Scherer of the Omaha Police Department received the Leadership Award for leading a special initiative. Scherer realized upon her assignment to the Child Victim/Sexual Assault Unit that there were systematic problems behind more than 3,000 annual reports of missing children. She directed her staff to start identifying cases where it appeared that a juvenile had run away because they were in danger or were being abused. Working with Project Harmony, Scherer created a focus group that identified several problems with providing services to runaways. In a one-year period, more than 320 runaway youth and their families have been contacted by the Missing Youth Services Advisory Board and 119 young people have received services.

Awards were presented last Wednesday at Jerico’s Restaurant, 11732 W. Dodge Road.

Recipients were selected by a committee made up of retired Fremont Police Department Chief Glen Still, Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning, U.S. Attorney’s Office Law Enforcement Coordinator Joe Jeanette, Omaha Airport Authority Police Chief Tim Conahan and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Chris Tuescher.