Denver police Cpl. Joseph Sartain easily could have walked away from a fraud complaint, writing it off as one more family dispute over money.
Instead, Sartain dipped into his pocket and helped a blind, wheelchair-bound woman become a little more financially independent, according to a news release from the Denver Police Department.
Sartain and two other Denver Police Department officers, Tarl Spitzer and Joshua Vasconcellos, were honored Wednesday with the Citizens Appreciate Police Award.
Sartain’s award recognized his willingness to use his own money to open a bank account for the woman. Her daughter handled her social security checks and finances, but the woman’s monthly rent had not been paid. She faced eviction.
Sartain convinced the woman’s landlord and the attorney for the property management to hold off the eviction and to drop late fees. He then opened the bank account, arranged direct deposit for the woman’s monthly checks and set up automatic bill pay for the rent.
“His actions removed her from the mercy of problematic family members who had outstanding warrants and substance abuse issues,” the news release said.
Vasconcellos was recognized for spending $300 to buy bicycles for two children in the Belmont Trailer Park, the news release said.
A boy’s bike had been stolen, and he had used it to get to school. A girl’s bike had been destroyed when she was hit by a car while riding it.
Spitzer helped a blind, homeless man who was stranded at a truck stop, the news release said.
The man was traveling with friends to Denver from Colorado Springs after losing his home, but the friends had abandoned him at the truck stop. He had been sitting in the lobby for hours.
Spitzer paid for a motel room for the man and gave him information on places to call for help, the news release said.
Noelle Phillips: 303-954-1661, nphillips@denverpost.com or
