Employee Recognition

The Champaign Police Department’s Employee Awards Ceremony is held annually to help highlight staff accomplishments over the previous calendar year and to thank each and every one of them for their positive commitment to our City.

We thank our officers and staff for their tireless efforts to advance CPD’s mission “to serve our public by the unwavering protection of all citizens, through unconditional respect and collaborative efforts with our community.” Our continued success is defined by the collection of our daily standards to always perform at our greatest, and always in pledge to our dedication of service through trust, integrity and respect.

Please join in congratulating the below individuals, nominated by their peers for embodying those very principles and for having a standout year of service in 2017.

Officer of the Year

Officer Timothy Atteberry has proven himself to be an exceptional officer who is widely respected by his peers. With almost 26 years of faithful service to the Champaign community, Officer Atteberry has become the epitome of “Service with PRIDE.” He continues to demonstrate a consistent, unwavering high work ethic, setting the example for others to emulate. Through the meticulous manner in which he completes calls for service, he ensures all avenues of the investigative approach are exploited to their fullest extent.

Although Officer Atteberry is no longer an active Field Training Officer (FTO), he continues to teach and mentor new Officers utilizing his vast years of experience. He also does not hesitate to offer relevant and useful advice and assistance to veteran Officers on calls for service. Officer Atteberry also takes the time to allow Explorers to conduct ride-alongs with him, which bolsters the excitement of the Explorer Program for those young adults that participate.

There is rarely a time when Officer Atteberry is not present and actively assisting on a large scale, critical incident (shootings, robberies, etc.). Officer Atteberry consistently throws himself into the call, regardless of the beat in which the call occurred. He’s the consummate professional, and serves his department and citizens with diligence and integrity. He’s an invaluable asset to the Champaign Police Department, which he represents with both skill and honor.

Employee of the Year

Jodie Burnett has been with the Champaign Police Department for 13 years serving in the Police Services Unit. She represents the outstanding qualities which are critical to the Department’s mission with a positive attitude and relentless work ethic that has given her the well-earned reputation of an honest and diligent employee. Her efforts to consistently provide quality support to both citizens, Officers and fellow employees is commendable and appreciated by all.

There are many examples of Jodie’s fast-acting service, with one occurring on Oct. 11, 2017. METCAD was looking for information on a suicidal subject and all the information they had was his name and possible work location. Jodie began searching for leads to locate the individual with the limited information she had. After identifying the subject, she provided METCAD the information and they were able to locate the individual to prevent future harm.

This is just one example of how Jodie conducts herself in a reliable and quick manner. She excels in her duty performance with model professionalism and exemplifies our guiding principles of “service through trust, integrity and respect.” Jodie’s knowledge of the Department, a community-first attitude and her willingness to assist others even if it means additional work is why she is so deserving of the recognition she is receiving as Employee of the Year.

Lifesaving Award

The Life Saving award is presented to officers who have taken significant steps to mitigate a potentially life-threatening event.

On February 17, 2017, Officer Brian Ahsell responded to an incident involving an unconscious citizen in cardiac arrest. The unceasing CPR measures that Officer Ahsell and his fellow Officers provided undoubtedly aided in this individual’s survival. For Officer Ahsell’s quick actions and dedicated performance of duty, he is recognized with the Police Department’s 2017 Life Saving Award.

On February 17, 2017, Officer Richard Carroll responded to an incident involving an unconscious citizen in cardiac arrest. The unceasing CPR measures that Officer Carroll and his fellow Officers provided undoubtedly aided in this individual’s survival. For Officer Carroll’s quick actions and dedicated performance of duty, he is recognized with the Police Department’s 2017 Life Saving Award.

On February 17, 2017, Officer Dane Kaldahl responded to an incident involving an unconscious citizen in cardiac arrest. The unceasing CPR measures that Officer Kaldahl and his fellow Officers provided undoubtedly aided in this individual’s survival. For Officer Kaldahl’s quick actions and dedicated performance of duty, he is recognized with the Police Department’s 2017 Life Saving Award.

On April 25, 2017, Officer Daniel Ward responded to an incident in which a citizen was found near a major road, unresponsive. Upon arrival to the scene, Officer Ward’s training and quick observations recognized the individual had overdosed, and he immediately administered medical treatment. The care he provided undoubtedly aided in this citizen’s survival and mitigated an event that many times results in loss. For Officer Ward’s quick actions and dedicated performance of duty, he is recognized with the Police Department’s 2017 Life Saving Award.