SOUTH PORTLAND — Police Officer Kevin Theriault was recognized as 2016 Officer of the Year at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
Theriault, along with his canine partner, Trigger, was involved in several high-risk incidents in Greater Portland last year, including the tracking and arrest of an armed robbery suspect in Portland. He was selected by sergeants and lieutenants from officers who where were named Officer of the Month is 2016, an honor he received in May and December.
“Officer Theriault has developed a reputation for being proactive and thorough in his patrol duties, excelling as a (canine) handler, and maintaining a positive and professional demeanor,” Police Chief Ed Googins said in a news release. “He comes to work each day prepared to serve our community and make South Portland a better place to live, work, visit and attend school.”
Googins presented a plaque and an award pin to Theriault, who also will get two paid days off.
Theriault and Trigger assisted Portland police when a driver ran off from a traffic stop, tracking the suspect to a nearby yard and finding keys that the suspect dropped while running. They conducted a drug search of a vehicle in South Portland that led to the seizure of marijuana and $4,000 cash.
They also worked in Gorham, where a driver had fled during a traffic stop and ditched drugs that he was suspected to be carrying. Theriault and Trigger ultimately found a container with 19.5 grams of heroin in a nearby yard.
Theriault joined the department in January 2011.
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