VALDOSTA —
Officer Kris Siren had only been on the Valdosta police force for a few days last September when, off-duty and unarmed, he apprehended an armed robber.
On Thursday, the Valdosta Police Department awarded the rookie cop with its highest commendation, the Award of Honor.
“I appreciate the courage you showed, the maturity and wisdom you showed and your dedication to the oath you took as a law-enforcement officer,” Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons said as he presented Siren with Award of Honor medal during an awards presentation.
Siren said he didn’t deserve the award. “I only did what any officer in this room would have done.”
In September 2011, a few days after Siren joined the Valdosta Police Department, he witnessed a suspicious incident while off-duty and unarmed. Near the Perimeter Road Walmart, Siren noticed a man enter the Video Warehouse. Through the store window, Siren noticed the employees and customers reacting strangely to the man.
He heard a woman on a cell phone report to 911 that a man was robbing the video store. Siren instructed the woman to tell the dispatcher that an off-duty police officer was on the scene.
The gunman exited the store. Keeping a safe distance, Siren followed him across Perimeter Road. By Farmers and Merchants Bank, Siren ordered the gunman to surrender. Following Siren’s “strong verbal commands,” the gunman stopped and dropped his weapon. Siren detained the man until on-duty police arrived.
The police chief said anyone working in law-enforcement knows there will come a time when the officer will have to display courage and command in a dangerous situation. Usually that dangerous situation comes a few to several years after joining the force. For Siren, the moment arose within days of becoming a police officer.
The Award of Honor commends Siren for his courage and for sacrificing his personal safety to preserve the safety of Valdosta’s citizens.
In other awards, Simons presented the VPD with the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification award for the department meeting the State of Georgia’s law-enforcement certification program.
Simons said the department earned a perfect score.
“People approach me on the street and make comments that the police are doing a good job,” Simons told the officers gathered for the awards ceremony. “I can’t take credit for that. They’re talking about you. You’re the ones doing a good job. ... I’m proud to be associated with you guys.”
— The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police awarded Police Capt. Bobbi McGraw with a certificate of appreciation for her work as certification manager of the VPD’s State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program.
— Detective Jimmy “Ray” McGraw received the 20-year appreciation award. He joined the Valdosta Police Department in June 1991, working as a patrol officer, a field-training officer, a detective, etc. In 2002, he became a crime-scene technician and is now a latent fingerprint examiner with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Crime Lab. Ray McGraw said you don’t stay somewhere 20 years unless you’re working with good people.
— Nancy Robinson received a 25-year service appreciation award though she has been with the department for 27 years. She served as a desk clerk before becoming a records clerk. She gave God the glory for her service.
— Lt. Benjamin “Ben” Brinson received the 25-year service appreciation award. He joined the VPD in April 1987, working in patrol, detective narcotics, patrol again, then investigations. He became a sergeant in 1999 and a lieutenant in 2009. Simons referred to Brinson as “a cop’s cop,” a man who knows his city and shares that information with his fellow police officers. Brinson thanked God for being able to serve 25 years.
— Cmdr. Bernard Robinson received the 25-year service appreciation award. He joined the force in April 1987. Robinson worked patrol and the detective division. In 2000, he was promoted to patrol sergeant; in 2004, lieutenant in professional services then captain of professional services. In July 2009, he rose to the rank of commander of the patrol division. Simons said he depends on Robinson; in telling the commander of a situation, the chief says he can rest easy knowing Robinson will handle it.
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Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons, right, presents Valdosta Police Officer Kris Siren with his Award of Honor, the highest award presented by the Valdosta Police Department, for his actions in capturing an armed robbery suspect. Paul Leavy
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Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons presents Capt. Bobbi McGraw with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police as the certification manager for the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program. Paul Leavy
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Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons with members of the Valdosta Police Department who received their service appreciation awards. From left, Cmdr. Bernard Robinson with his 25-year service appreciation award, Det. Jimmy ‘Ray’ McGraw with his 20-year service appreciation award, Chief Simons, Lt. Ben Brinson with his 25-year service appreciation award, and records clerk Nancy Robinson with her 25-year service appreciation award. Paul Leavy
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