April 2022 Hit of the Month: Cheektowaga Police Department – New York

“Hit of the Month” is Stop Stick, Ltd.’s program to recognize truly outstanding performance results coming from the successful deployment of Stop Stick® Tire Deflation Device in ending pursuits. Every month hundreds of reports are received from across the country documenting successful deployments of Stop Sticks®. These reports detail stories of exceptional police work and proper deployment of the Stop Stick® Tire Deflation Device to bring pursuits to an end safely. Below are the departments that were nominated from the hundreds of submissions, and the ones who have been selected as the “Hit of the Month”.

APRIL 2022 HIT OF THE MONTH WINNER

EAST

Deploying Officer:  Officer Troy Blackchief
Cheektowaga Police Department – New York

Speed:21-30  MPH
Miles covered after Deployment: 5, 2
Number of Tires Flattened: 2 (on each vehicle)
Make: Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander

Officer Blackchief deployed 1 set of Stop Sticks on two stolen vehicles that were being pursued by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. Both vehicles were driving together throughout the pursuit. Officer Blackchief managed to position himself and Stop Stick at a single-lane choke point, managing to deflate 2 tires on each vehicle. One of the vehicles ended the pursuit .5 miles after the deployment, the second was pursued an additional 2 miles after the deployment before surrendering. All suspects were taken into custody without further incident.

March 2022 Nominees

South Region

Deploying Officer: Seth Rogers
Brighton Police Department – Colorado

Speed: 11-20 MPH
Miles covered after Deployment: <1
Number of Tires Flattened: 4
Make:  Hyundai Santa Fe

Officer Rogers deployed Stop Stick resulting in the termination of a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle with a 2-year-old on board. The vehicle’s owner stated that the car was stolen after they had made a stop to use a bathroom at a nearby motel. The owner stated that they were out late with their 2-yea-old child driving as they attempted to get the child to sleep. When the owner returned from the bathroom, they saw that the vehicle had been stolen. After contacting Law Enforcement, the vehicle was spotted and a traffic stop was initiated. The suspect refused to pull over and a pursuit was initiated. The chase lasted for about 40 minutes until officer Rogers deployed Stop Stick puncturing all 4 of the car’s tires and causing the suspect to stop fleeing. The suspect was taken into custody without any further incident, and the child was transported to a nearby hospital before being reunited with their mother. The suspect is facing charges of vehicle theft and 2nd-degree kidnapping.

West Region

Deploying Officer(s) – Brian Johnson, Ashley Dalton
Milwaukie Police Department – Oregon
Miles covered after Deployment: <1
Speed: 41-50 MPH
Number of Tires Flattened: 4
Make:  Nissan Maxima

Gladston PD originated the pursuit of the stolen vehicle. After initially terminating their pursuit the stolen Nissan continued traveling north into Milwaukie. Officer Dalton was the first to deploy Stop Stick, the target vehicle attempted to slow down and avoid Officer Dalton’s Stop Sticks, but was unable to maneuver out of the way completely and punctured at least 1 tire. Despite only having 3 tires now the suspect attempted to continue to flee. Officer Johnson was able to position himself out in front of the target vehicle shortly after the first deployment and managed to flatten the remainder of the target vehicle’s tires, causing the vehicle to pull into a parking lot where the suspects fled on foot, only to be taken into custody a short time later

Mid-West

Deploying Officer – Officer D. Carlson
Channahon Police Department – Illinois
Speed: 151-60 MPH
Miles covered after Deployment: 20+
Number of Tires Flattened:  1
Make: E350 Ambulance

Chicago Fire Department reported that an ambulance had been stolen outside their department building in Chicago. Illinois State Troopers initiated the pursuit of the vehicle southbound on I-55, taking officers on a 75-mile pursuit. It was established after communicating with the suspect that the individual was having a mental health crisis due to the suspect’s incoherent speech over the vehicle’s radio. As the vehicle continued down I-55 Channahon Officer Carlson positioned himself with Stop Stick and managed to flatten at least 1 of the vehicle’s rear double wheels. The pursuit continued for several miles with the driver continuing to display erratic behavior until the driver’s side rear tires came completely off of the vehicle causing the suspect to bail out on foot. The suspect attempted to cross the highway and carjack another vehicle but pursuing officers were able to apprehend him before he made a second getaway. Chicago Fire Department stated “We wish to thank the Chicago Police Department, Illinois State Police, and supporting suburban departments for their professionalism and patience in recovering the CFD ambulance 66. These officers were able to secure the ambulance and get the young man the help he needs without serious injury to himself or other members of the public.”

To register for Stop Stick® Hit of the Month, please submit a Deployment Report using the Link: https://stopstick.com/home/pursuit-reporting

You can additionally be considered for Video of the year by uploading Dashcam, or Bodycam footage after submitting your Deployment Report.
If you know an officer who should be nominated for Hit of the Month please submit a pursuit report: https://stopstick.com/home/pursuit-reporting