Officers Honored By City Police Department
Stanley Chief of Police Kevin Litten recognized officers in his department at a special ceremony on Monday, Dec. 30 at Stanley City Hall. Litten said he is very proud of his officers and passionate about the department.
The ceremony began with the badge pinning for the two new officers that recently graduated from the academy. Normally the pinning would occur at the academy, but instead the officers were able to choose who would pin their badge on their uniform at this ceremony. Officers Joseph Rivers and Raphael Salinas chose to have their wives perform the honor. Each of the officers also took their oath of office at this ceremony.
The first award, a Medal of Merit, was presented to Officer Samuel Pesik. The presentation, written by Chief Litten, read as follows:
“Officer Samuel Pesik joined the department in June of 2023, bringing his passion for law enforcement and a commitment to excellence.
Upon joining the team, Pesik played a pivotal role in identifying and acquiring the ideal K-9 for the department. His efforts led to the successful application for the AKC Reunite Adopt a K-9 Cop grant, which secured $7,500 in funding to purchase a German Shepherd named Phantom from Disco K-9 in West Fargo, ND. This grant and Pesik’s diligence helped bring Phantom into service, marking a key milestone for the department.
Following the acquisition of Phantom, Pesik and his new partner completed rigorous training in West Fargo, where they achieved certification in Narcotic Detection, Tracking, and Article Searches. Since that time, they have earned numerous additional certifications related to Narcotic Detection.
In April of 2024, Pesik and Phantom demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork at a prestigious K-9 competition in West Fargo, competing against more than 20 other K-9 teams. In a remarkable achievement, they earned third place, marking this team’s first competition. This accomplishment is a testament to Pesik’s superior training, leadership, and the strong bond he has formed with K-9 Phantom, which will continue to benefit the community.
Beyond his work with Phantom, Pesik has shown exemplary commitment to public safety through his diligent law enforcement efforts. Between June 2023 and the present, he has made 309 arrests, which include 144 drug related offenses and 34 for individuals driving under the influence. His proactive approach has resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of illicit substances including: 27.78 grams of methamphetamine, 341.61 grams of marijuana, 153.62 grams of mushrooms, 70 pills of fentanyl, 0.61 grams of cocaine, and nearly $2,000 in suspected drug money.
Officer Pesik’s contributions go far beyond the numbers. His tireless work ethic, commitment to training, and unwavering dedication to keeping our community safe make him an invaluable member of the Stanley Police Department. In recognition of his extraordinary service, exceptional accomplishments, and ongoing commitment to our department and the safety of our community, Officer Samuel Pesik is hereby awarded the Medal of Merit.”
The second award, a Life Saving Award, was presented to Officer Briana Dazell and Lieutenant Chris Jenkins. Litten’s presentation reads as follows:
“On June 6, 2024, at about 2:37 p.m., Officer Briana Dazell and Lieutenant Chris Jenkins responded to the 6100 block of Highway 8, Stanley, North Dakota, to assist medical personnel with an unresponsive male who was not breathing.