It was a time to honor exemplary service and Cypress Police Officer Johnathan M. Krok was one of the top representatives for the department over the past year.
It was a time to honor exemplary service and Cypress Police Officer Johnathan M. Krok was one of the top representatives for the department over the past year.
Krok received the Officer of the Year Award and was also recognized with a Silver Distinguished Service Award for 2013. Police Services Officer Nathan Regalado also received a Silver Distinguished Service Award. Acting Support Services Supervisor Mary K. Carrillo was named the department’s Employee of the Year and Police Chaplain, Father Patrick Moses was named the department’s Citizen of the Year.
It was the fourth annual Cypress Police Appreciation event, which is organized by the Cypress Police Foundation. Foundation President David Macdonald presided over the luncheon. Macdonald said that Cypress Police responded to more than 39,000 incidents in 2013 and noted that the basic function of police is problem solving and improving the quality of life for the community. But one of the biggest factors in recognizing their contribution is the most glaring aspect of the job.
“Law enforcement is a profession of risk,” Macdonald said.
In 2013, Krok has served in an undercover capacity, as well as assigned as a detective. He also worked as support and advisor for the departments Explorer program. He is also considered an expert on rifle and shotgun shooting and serves as one of the department’s firearms instructors.
Krok has been with Cypress PD since 2005 and has received numerous commendations and Officer of the Quarter awards. In 2012, he was recognized for one of the highest self-initiated activity and arrest records in the department.
Krok thanked his fellow officers and supporters. He noted that no one works alone in the police field and said he has benefited from a great group of fellow officers and leadership.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some great supervisors, and patient supervisors,” Krok said.
Krok was also involved in a life-saving situation, along with Regalado on Jan. 15, of 2014, which earned them both the Silver Distinguished Service Award. At about 1 a.m. on that day, Krok responded to a disturbance call that was quickly updated to attempted murder, as three people at the location had been stabbed.
Regalado arrived shortly after Krok and the two tended to the most seriously wounded victim, who had a large stab wound in the chest.
With hysterical family members on scene, Krok and Regalado managed to administer what paramedics would later describe as “advanced, life-saving care,” according to the report.
The victim had lost a significant amount of blood and was going into shock. Reports from the hospital later confirmed that the stab wound was so deep that it had nearly exited through the back. Krok and Regalado’s efforts were credited for saving the victim’s life.
Çarrillo was recognized at the department’s Employee of the Year, for her support in the records unit, while also handling the temporary assignment as Acting Support Services Supervisor.
Carrillo has assisted in outside events as well, such the Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for local charities. Carrillo has been with Cypress Police Department since 2008. She thanked her family for their support, and said that she has been honored to work with all the officers and support staff within Cypress PD.
“You guys are truly an amazing group of people,” Carrillo said.
Moses serves as a full-time pastor at St. Irenaeus Church in Cypress, but had always had an interest in serving the community outside the church. Helping police was something near to his heart (and his father’s) and Moses joined the Cypress Police Chaplain Program in 2011.
The program allows priests to assist police with services such as invocations at events, counseling victims and families and even responding to crime scenes to offer help. Moses has received numerous commendations for assisting with community events and participating at DUI checkpoints.
Moses thanked the attendees and supports, but noted that the sense of pride and fulfillment he gets from serving police and the community, are his real reward.
“You guys give me more than I could ever give you, and I need you to know that,” Moses said.