CITY

AND COUNTY OF DENVER

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY

Media Relations Unit Denver Police Department

1331 Cherokee Street, Room 402

(720) 913-6028 9-1-1 COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS Phone: Fax: (720) 913-7029 CRIME PREVENTION & CONTROL SAFE CITY

FIRE POLICE SHERIFF Denver, CO 80204-2720

Denver - On Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. the Denver Police Department will host a ceremony to honor the extraordinary efforts of Officer Adriel Torres. The event is scheduled to take place at the Denver Police Crime Lab located at 1371 Cherokee Street, Denver, CO 80204. Officer Adriel Torres will be presented the Citizens Appreciate Police Award for a selfless act and demonstration of his professionalism and compassion, as it exemplifies the finest traditions of the Denver Police Department and its officers helping citizens in need. The CAP organization was formed in 1978 to recognize the exemplary duties of Denver Police Officers. The non-profit CAP Board, consisting of 15 citizen volunteers, meets four times a year to review nominations and present awards to deserving officers. Nominations can be submitted by any citizen through a letter to the Chief of Police at 1331 Cherokee Street, Room 402, Denver, CO 80204. In early September of 2012, Sgt. T. Steinway and Sgt. J. Mohr were stopped at a red light on E. 35th Ave. at Colorado Blvd. when they were flagged down by a citizen on the golf course. The citizen told them of a small boy who was riding his bicycle next to the curb on Colorado Blvd. The 6 year old was found riding his bicycle along the curb line. The child was uncommunicative and was placed in the patrol car. The Sergeants were fortunate that his mother, Dora Mendoza, saw their police vehicle and pulled up behind them to report that her son had been missing. Ms. Mendoza related to Sgt. Steinway that her son is autistic which explained the inability to communicate with him. The child was released to his mother. Several days later, Officer Adriel F. Torres, was told the story of the child. Officer Torres, a Spanish speaker, called Ms. Mendoza and asked if she thought a wristband with her sons information would be helpful should he wander away again. Ms. Mendoza responded that this would be helpful but she could not afford one. Officer Torres told Ms. Mendoza not to worry about the cost as the police department would assist with any expenses. The Autism Societys Color Company suggested a bright blue wristband with Autism Speaks on it as well as a metal plate with the medical symbol and room for the childs information. Officer Torres used his language skills and demonstrated true compassion in assisting a family in need. Should the child wander off again or find himself in a situation where police need to reunite him with his mother, this wristband will give emergency personnel the information they need to contact his mother.

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