Police week is held every year in Washington, D.C. as a means of reflection and looking back upon the previous year to honor the fallen officers of the nation’s police forces. During this same time period, the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) holds their annual board meeting and pays homage to officers who have demostrated exceptional heroism in the line of duty through their Top Cops awards ceremony. Top Cop award recipients are also honored during this same time period in a White House Rose Garden ceremony prior to the actual Top Cops ceremony later in the evening. This year’s ceremony marks the nineteenth time this event has occurred. The actual awards ceremony was held at Washington’s prestigious Mayflower Hotel.
PLEA would like to congratulate Officers Nicholas Pittatsis and James Spross who were cited among others from around the nation as Honorable Mention recipients. Officers Pittatsis and Spross were cited for their heroic action that occurred in August of 2011. Both officers contacted a potential burglary suspect that turned deadly when the suspect produced a handgun and engaged them with gunfire. Ofc. Spross received a grazing wound to the top of his head and Ofc. Pittatsis was struck in the right bicep. The suspect attempted to flee into a nearby home but quickly re-emerged and re-engaged Spross and Pittatsis. The two officers stayed in the fight and ultimately prevailed over the suspect who was seriously injured by their return fire. Again PLEA extends a heartfelt congratulations for a job well done!
