The Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) is pleased to announce that Special Patrol Bureau Sergeant Eric Mendez and Officers Edwin Gonzalez, Richard Hansen, and Brad Burke and Hammocks District Officer Emilio Teodoro have been awarded the departmental Bronze Medal of Valor and selected to share Distinguished Officer of the Month for March 2008. 

On November 12, 2007, at 2:55 p.m., Officer April Rojas of the Miami Gardens Station (MGS) was on routine patrol in the area of NW 197 Street and 7 Avenue, when she observed a gray 2008 Chrysler 300 speeding. Realizing that it matched the description of a car used in an armed carjacking incident, she attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped away.

MGS Officers Henry Grullon and Kelmi Ramos observed the vehicle driven by Mr. Troy McLean coming toward them and became the primary unit in the vehicle pursuit.  At NW 185 Drive and 8 Avenue, Officers Grullon and Ramos saw the driver flee on foot through a residential area. While giving verbal commands to stop, Officer Ramos initiated a foot pursuit.

As the subject entered the backyard of a residence, the owner, Ms. Barbara King, opened the rear door of her house.  Her two granddaughters (aged eight and three) were playing in the backyard.   Sensing that his capture was imminent, the subject took the girls hostage, pressing his way into the residence, and injuring Ms. King as he pushed her to the ground.  Officers Grullon and Ramos attempted to follow Mr. McLean, but he locked the door.  Once inside, the subject said to the hostages, “I have a gun, don’t do anything stupid.”  Ms. King hid with the girls in the laundry room while Mr. McLean paced back and forth. 
 
Simultaneously, Canine Units (CU) Sergeants Eric Mendez and Benjamin Ross, and Officers Edwin Gonzalez, Richard Hansen, and Brad Burke arrived on the scene.  Sergeant Mendez effectively organized a tactical inner perimeter, utilizing CU personnel equipped for the situation. He then instructed Officer Burke to position himself in the adjacent backyard in order to address any threats posed to neighboring residences.  Sergeant Mendez notified the Special Response Team (SRT) and a safe location was selected for the Command Post.  
Officer Hansen was able to locate a friend of Ms. King who provided the schematics of the residence.  During this time, Ms. King quietly telephoned her daughter to advise that an armed gunman was holding them hostage.  Ms. King went on to say she was suffering from medical complications and was not sure if she would be able to maintain consciousness much longer.  The daughter relayed their conversation to the police.

Realizing the urgency, Sergeant Mendez developed a plan of action with Officers Gonzalez and Hansen to rescue the hostages.  It was determined that the hostages were 10 feet from the rear door.  In a coordinated effort with the area Platoon Commander, Sergeant Mendez made contact with Ms. King via cellular telephone and instructed her and the girls to run to the back door.  Officers Andy Giordani and Alfredo Palacio were deployed to the yard of an adjacent residence to maintain an inner perimeter post. The rescue team provided cover while Officer Hansen cut a lock and chain that was affixed to the exterior iron gate. 

Once the lock was cut and the rear door forced open, Sergeant Mendez and Officer Gonzalez provided cover in case the armed gunman attempted to foil the rescue. Officer Hansen rapidly entered the doorway and extracted the hostages whom he handed to rescue. Officer Teodoro, who was assigned to MGS at the time, also assisted the team by providing cover while the hostages were being led to a safe area. 

After the rescue, the team reverted to tactical points at the rear and front of the residence to contain the armed gunman and prevent further danger to the surrounding community.  After negotiation attempts failed, SRT personnel deployed gas into the residence.  Moments later, the gunman exited the residence and was taken into custody.

Thanks to their training and experience, the lives of three innocent Miami-Dade citizens were saved.  This representation of the Department’s highest standards, coupled with courage and a quick response, demonstrated how effective teamwork can produce a successful outcome. Their skillful actions while under extreme pressure reflect honorably upon the Department and the entire law enforcement profession. 

Prepared by:
Sandra G. Kramer
Media Relations Bureau