BPD Awards Ceremony

Lifesaving Award

Officer Shane Mesch

On September 13, 2024, Officer Shane Mesch, while in field training with Officer Anthony Castro-Castillo, responded to a Code Blue for an unresponsive male. Upon arrival, a friend of the patient, who was trained in CPR, was already providing aid, but the AED indicated the compressions were not effective. Recognizing that the high-stress nature of the situation was impacting the effectiveness of CPR, Officer Castillo made a critical decision to intervene and instructed the friend to allow Officer Mesch to take over. Officer Mesch immediately assumed CPR, and the man soon began gasping for air. Thanks to their calm, decisive actions, the man survived a heart attack and full cardiac arrest, making a full recovery, and Officer Shane Mesch is awarded the Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award - Officer Miranda Thompson

Exceptional Service Award – Heather Merrill, Skyler Weekes, and Jimmy Bickish

On March 21, 2025, Officer Miranda Thompson responded to a motorcycle versus car collision where the rider was unresponsive with only a faint pulse. She immediately took command, coordinating bystanders and initiating life-saving measures alongside EMT Heather Merrill, who stabilized the victim’s neck, and civilians Skyler Weekes and Jimmy Bickish, who assisted with CPR. Despite actively performing CPR and directing care, Officer Thompson maintained control of the scene, ensuring safety and preserving its integrity until paramedics arrived. Their coordinated efforts provided continuous, effective life-saving care, and the motorcyclist was later upgraded from critical to stable condition. For her quick thinking, skilled response, and calm leadership, Officer Miranda Thompson is awarded the Lifesaving Award, while Heather Merrill, Skyler Weekes, and Jimmy Bickish are recognized with the Exceptional Service Award.

Lifesaving Award

Corporal Greg Hoffman

On May 19, 2025, a man suffered a cardiac event while walking through the Boise Airport. Southwest Airlines employee Melissa Eckhardt witnessed him collapse and strike his head on the ground.  Without hesitation, Melissa rushed to help.

She immediately called 911 and calmly relayed critical information to dispatch. While she remained on the line, Transportation Security Officer (TSO) Anthony Wilbur arrived at the scene. Anthony started CPR at the request of Melissa, with Melissa coaching via directions from 911.

Corporal Greg Hoffman arrived two minutes later and assumed control of the scene. He directed TSO Amy Stacey to retrieve the nearby AED, confirmed that paramedics were en route, and then deployed the AED while continuing CPR until Boise Fire arrived.

Due to the quick, calm, and coordinated actions that saved a man’s life, Corporal Greg Hoffman is hereby awarded the Lifesaving Award.

Lifesaving Award

Officer Wyatt Keller

On June 9, 2025, Officer Keller was on patrol when he was flagged down by a witness reporting a possible medical emergency. Officer Keller responded immediately and located the citizen suffering from an unknown and critical medical event. The citizen was lying on the sidewalk, unresponsive, and did not have a pulse.

Officer Keller rapidly assessed the situation, requested additional EMS personnel, and immediately started life-saving measures, demonstrating his composure and training under pressure. Officer Keller performed CPR on the individual for approximately five minutes before EMS and additional resources arrived on scene.

For his decisive actions while responding to a medical emergency that saved the civilian’s life, Officer Wyatt Keller is hereby awarded the Lifesaving Award.

Meritorious Action Ribbon

Officer Jonathan Gray

On September 13, 2024, Officer Jonathan Gray drove by an accident while on his way to a training. Officer Gray was in uniform and immediately began to assess an injured male who was found lying on the side of the road next to a heavily damaged bicycle.

The male was ashen in color and appeared lifeless. Office Gray quickly assessed the situation, checked for a pulse, and rolled the male to initiate chest compressions. He continued providing life support efforts until Ada County Paramedics arrived and took over care. Although the victim passed away later that day, Officer Gray’s decisive actions and immediate intervention provided the victim with a fighting chance for life.

For his swift and selfless response to a critical medical emergency, Office Jonathan Gray is hereby awarded the Meritorious Action Ribbon.

Meritorious Service Award

Captain Michael Hill

Captain Michael Hill has served the Boise community with exceptional dedication throughout his 23-year career, most notably during his long tenure with the Boise Police Bomb Squad. He deployed hundreds of times as a Bomb Squad technician, directly safeguarding the citizens of Boise and Idaho from hazardous devices, improvised explosives, and even weapons of mass destruction. As Bomb Squad Commander and Lieutenant, he upheld strict national and FBI standards while leading a unit responsible for the region’s most dangerous threats. His leadership also strengthened safety across six counties and enhanced Special Operations with vital explosive-breaching support. For his outstanding service and unwavering commitment to public safety, Captain Michael Hill is awarded the Meritorious Service Award.

Meritorious Service Award

Shari Davis

Shari Davis has been an integral part of the Boise Police Department for nearly six years, bringing structure, collaboration, and professionalism to every project she supports. As Police Project Coordinator, she has led key initiatives like the Patrol Boundary Redistricting Project, the Policy Manual Update, and the SHIELD Youth Program, enhancing the department’s efficiency and ability to serve the community. Her reliability, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail have made her a trusted resource across the department. With a distinguished background in hospitality, construction management, higher education, and state government, she has applied her broad expertise to advance BPD’s mission. For her sustained excellence, leadership, and dedication to public service, Shari Davis is awarded the Meritorious Service Award.

Exceptional Service Award

ACSO Property and Evidence Team

For many years the Ada County Sheriff’s Office Property & Evidence team’s reliability and responsiveness has exemplify what it means to be a true partner in public safety.

Specifically, during the time frame of 1 January 2024 through 9 February 2024, members of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office Property & Evidence team were critical in aiding the CIS/CID Unit and the Boise Police Department. The Property team assisted in identifying and locating several older, partially tested Sexual Assault Kits identified by the Idaho State Police and the Boise Police Department for retesting under a grant program. This program allowed ISP to use modern forensic tools to retest these kits for possible new DNA leads. A total of 35 kits, some dating back over 20 years, were located and resubmitted to the ISP Forensic Lab in Meridian.

Thanks to their dedication to duty and exceptional service to others, the Boise Police Department proudly acknowledges the Ada County Sheriff’s Property and Evidence Team with the Exceptional Service Award.

Distinguished Unit Citation

Bomb Squad

The Boise Police Bomb Squad has consistently demonstrated extraordinary skill, professionalism, and dedication in service to the department and the community. This elite unit safeguards the public by detecting, evaluating, and safely rendering explosives, hazardous chemicals, incendiary devices, and weapons of mass destruction.

Over the past year, the team responded to more than 70 activations, including WWII-era grenades, mining explosives, and IEDs, and played a key role in two high-profile, multi-day operations requiring precision and resilience under pressure.

Comprised of five highly trained technicians, on call 24/7, the Bomb Squad provides critical support across five counties and to multiple departmental units, including Patrol, Detectives, Special Operations, and Narcotics. For their unwavering dedication, expertise, and exceptional service, the Boise Police Bomb Squad is awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.

Chief’s Commendation

Sergeant Larry Miles, Sergeant Sean Stace, Corporal Allan J. Viens, Officer Nathan Gifford, Officer Nicholas Poole, Officer Jacob Betz, Officer Jeremiah Gross, and Officer Alex Echols

In December 2024, the Boise Police Department supported the Idaho National Guard in preparing for their deployment to the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. These officers adjusted both personally and professionally to help strengthen the department’s partnership with the National Guard. They studied Civil Disturbance Operations doctrine, completed instructor training, and provided leadership training for 75 National Guard leaders, culminating in the instruction of 350 Soldiers and Airmen. Their competence, professionalism, and dedication were praised by both the trainees and the Idaho National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters, directly enhancing the Guard’s readiness during a politically tense period. For their outstanding efforts and commitment, Sergeant Sean Stace, Sergeant Larry Miles, Corporal Allan J. Viens, Officer Nathan Gifford, Officer Nicholas Poole, Officer Jacob Betz, Officer Jeremiah Gross, and Officer Alex Echols are awarded a Chief’s Commendation.

Chief’s Commendation

Stephanie Kendall

In 2023, the Boise Police Department embarked on a major initiative to create a five-year Technology Strategic Plan. Stephanie Kendall was selected to lead this work, collaborating with consultants, regional partners, and Boise Police staff across every division.

During this process, one of the most significant challenges identified was the number of disparate technology systems used throughout the department. Stephanie sought out innovative solutions, and her efforts led to the introduction of Peregrine, a centralized data integration and analytics platform that unifies previously disconnected systems. Thanks to Stephanie’s leadership, BPD was able to implement this true force multiplier that will enhance the way we serve our community for years to come.

In recognition of her outstanding leadership and vision in guiding a transformational technology implementation, the Boise Police Department proudly presents this Chief’s Commendation to Stephanie Kendall.