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| Officer Jonathan Gompers |
Officer Gompers was the first to arrive and observed a chaotic scene, with several people motioning to him and yelling regarding the fight near the median. Officer Gompers drew his attention to the fight, and observed a male subject stand up and walk away from another male who was left motionless on the ground. The witnesses advised Officer Gompers that the suspect had a knife and used it against the victim. Officer Gompers, without regard for his own safety, gave chase on foot to the male suspect while calling for MEDIC and other officers to assist the victim.
The suspect ran in and out of traffic along Independence which further created a dangerous situation. As Officer Gompers closed the distance with the suspect, he began to give clear verbal commands to the suspect to stop and to get on the ground. With his weapon drawn, Officer Gompers observed the suspect turn and drop his knife. Officer Gompers then directed another arriving officer to check the victim. Officer Gompers observed a large bleeding cut on the suspect’s wrist and kept him covered at gunpoint until additional officers arrived. The suspect was then handcuffed and taken into custody.
Officer Gompers’ actions are commendable due to his quick thinking and selfless call to action to pursue an armed suspect and to bring him into custody. Officer Gompers exemplifies courage under pressure and is one of CMPD’s Officers of the Month for July 2011.
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In April, Eastway Division Officer Peter Carbonaro was aware the Eastway Division had received numerous complaints from residents of the Clearmont Avenue/Girard Court community in reference to drug activity related to a subject named Matthew Patterson. Mr. Patterson was no stranger to the officers of the Eastway Division as he had been involved in an aggravated assault with firearm, a robbery and had also attempted to hit a Sgt. with a vehicle when he was an officer in Eastway Division.
The division had information that the suspect was connected to several robberies in the area as well. Officer Peter Carbonaro of the Eastway Division Focus Mission Team volunteered to take the lead on an investigation of this subject. He along with other FMT members conducted surveillance on this individual.
On June 3rd, Officer Carbonaro was able to develop probable cause for a search warrant on Patterson and his residence. The execution of the search warrant resulted in the confiscation of 10.8 grams of crack cocaine and a Glock .45 caliber pistol. Patterson is a convicted felon and was charged for possession of the firearm, P/W/I/S/D-Cocaine, Maintaining a Dwelling and PDP.
This investigation is just one of the many examples of the fantastic work that Officer Carbonaro and the FMT do within the Eastway Division. Most of their investigations are extremely time consuming and require a great deal of expertise. Officer Carbonaro should be recognized for his ability to take the lead on an investigation and see it through to a felony arrest.